Sunday 30 August 2026
FA WNL Southern Premier Division
MGroup Stadium, Oxford
Oxford United… 5
(Wiseman 4’, Manders 13', 56', Owen own goal 50', Legg 54')
Cheltenham Town… 0
Oxford United Women continued their scintillating start to the season by winning 5-0 against Cheltenham Town on Sunday.
The result puts Oxford atop the WNL Southern Premier Division table following three wins out of three in the league. In all competitions, United have now scored 20 goals without conceding in what has been a fantastic start to the season.
Liam Gilbert made seven changes to the team that put eight past Abingdon United in the WNL Cup on Wednesday, reverting back to the lineup that defeated Lewes in the league last weekend.
It was to be another flying start for United, who took the lead in the fourth minute through Kate Wiseman. Maisy Barker beat her defender before teeing up Wiseman on the edge of the area for a spectacular first-time-finish that sailed into the far corner.
Oxford began to dominate the midfield through Wiseman, Jenna Legg and Grace Palmer and, in the 13th minute, Palmer picked out Holly Manders with a delightful ball over the Cheltenham defence. Manders has enjoyed a prolific start to the season and made no mistake in controlling the ball with her chest before firing past the goalkeeper to double Oxford’s lead.
Shortly after, Legg had a chance to extend United’s advantage. Sophie Quirk drove into the box and found the Oxford captain, whose shot fired narrowly over the crossbar.
Quirk looked a threat down the left-hand-side throughout the afternoon and had numerous attempts on goal, but the Yellows couldn’t find a third before the referee blew for half-time at 2-0.
Gilbert has called for his team to score more second-half goals, with all previous league goals this season coming in the first-half, and the team responded by scoring three goals in six minutes.
In the 50th minute, Quirk’s persistence paid off when her dangerous cross was turned into the back of the net by Cheltenham defender Emily Owen for an unfortunate own goal. A constant outlet, Quirk again was the provider for Oxford’s fourth. The winger had the beating of her full-back and cut back to the onrushing Legg who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
With Cheltenham seemingly stunned by conceding twice in quick succession, United scored again through Manders. The division’s top scorer bundled the ball home for her second of the afternoon and, remarkably, her ninth goal in the opening four matches of the season.
The relentless pressure continued and Riva Casley almost scored Oxford’s sixth when her headed effort was cleared off the line.
Liam Gilbert then made a series of changes, including the introduction of Ruby Sealey, who nearly got on the end of a Quirk cross with ten minutes to go. Ellie-Mae Richardson, Shelly Provan, Eva Burgess and Shaunna Jenkins also got onto the pitch as Oxford controlled possession for the remainder of the match.
A late Quirk effort went narrowly over, and the referee blew for full-time to confirm a 5-0 win, another clean sheet, and a well-deserved three points. The Yellows are top of the league on goal difference - above Fulham and AFC Bournemouth who have also won their opening three matches.
To watch yesterday’s post-match interviews with Liam Gilbert and Naomi Bedeau, please click HERE.
Next up is a return to league cup action. Oxford United will be back at the MGroup Stadium at 2:00pm on Sunday 6 September to host MK Dons in the WNL Cup.
Get your tickets HERE.
Oxford United: Wookey, Gibson (Sealey 71’), Bedeau, Casley, Brant, Wiseman, Palmer (Jenkins 90'), Legg (Burgess 90’), Barker (Provan 87’), Quirk, Manders (Richardson 71’)
Subs: Sieradzka, Rowden
