Sunday 4 October 2026
FA WNL Southern Premier Division
The Bob Lucas Stadium, Weymouth
AFC Bournemouth… 0
Oxford United… 1
(Wiseman 12')
Oxford United Women earned an impressive three points against second-place AFC Bournemouth to go five points clear at the top of the WNL Southern Premier Division.
Kate Wiseman’s early goal proved the difference as United defended resolutely with ten players for the entirety of the second-half to claim another win and clean sheet.
It was an enticing prospect ahead of the match, with both teams knowing victory would see them go top of the table. Oxford United went into the game in fantastic form with five wins from five to start the league campaign without conceding a single goal. The hosts had also enjoyed an unbeaten start, with four wins and one draw sitting them in second-place.
The match started evenly as both sides defended well and were unable to create many opportunities. The first chance fell to Wiseman in the 12th minute when Jenna Legg’s cross fell to the midfielder who finished first-time into the bottom corner to open the scoring.
United were ahead and continued to press the Cherries defence, with another chance then coming the way of Holly Manders. Wiseman crossed into the box and Manders’ headed effort sailed narrowly past the near post.
The contest changed in the 45th minute when Nicola Gibson was adjudged to have pulled back an attacking Bournemouth player with the referee controversially producing a second yellow card to reduce Oxford to ten players. The referee then dished out three further bookings shortly after as United’s lead looked to hang in the balance.
The half-time whistle soon followed with Oxford a goal ahead but a player down despite an impressive first-half performance.
Liam Gilbert’s side came out for the second-half in a reshuffled formation, with Maisy Barker dropping into the defence and Manders and former Cherry Sophie Quirk providing the attacking outlet as United aimed to preserve their slender advantage.
The home side enjoyed large amounts of possession throughout the second period but Oxford defended resolutely and limited Bournemouth to half-chances only. Shaunna Jenkins, Riva Casley and Beth Wookey impressed throughout, showing great maturity and composure to snuff out an increasingly frustrated Bournemouth attack.
Despite the player disadvantage, United almost doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Manders’ audacious free-kick struck the crossbar from 35 yards.
Liam Gilbert then made a series of changes, with Ruby Sealey, Emma Thompson and Ellie-Mae Richardson all entering the match as Oxford knew victory was within touching distance. A late headed effort was caught gratefully by Wookey and the full-time whistle soon followed to call time on an incredible and resilient performance from United.
The well-deserved three points and results elsewhere means Oxford United’s lead at the summit of the WNL Southern Premier Division is extended to five points. It also maintains the team’s impressive record of not conceding in the league so far this season.
League action continues on Sunday 11 October back home at the MGroup Stadium as United take on local rivals Swindon Town at 2:00pm. We are running a ‘Football For a Fiver’ sale for this weekend’s match, with an adult and child able to watch the match for just £5.
Don’t miss out! Get your tickets HERE.
Oxford United: Wookey, Gibson, Casley, Jenkins, Brant, Palmer (Sealey 76’), Wiseman, Legg, Barker, Quirk (Thompson 86’), Manders (Richardson 87’)
Subs: Sieradzka, Provan, Rowden, Burgess
