Oxford United Women kicked off their FA WNL Cup campaign by defeating Abingdon United 8-0 in a dominant performance.
A first-half hat-trick from Holly Manders, a brace from Sophie Quirk, goals from Nicola Gibson and Ruby Sealey, and an own goal sealed the win in an emphatic night in Abingdon.
Following two impressive wins to kick off the league season, Liam Gilbert named a rotated side to face Abingdon in the opening match of the Cup. Three 17-year-olds in Olivia Sieradzka, Eva Burgess and Belle Rowden lined up from the start, with Burgess and Rowden making their full competitive debuts for United.
It was Gibson who opened the scoring within two minutes. A corner from Kate Wiseman was met by the full-back who headed powerfully into the back of the net – making it two goals in two, following another headed effort against Lewes last weekend.
Manders has enjoyed a prolific start to the season in front of goal with braces in each of the two league matches this season. Playing in a more advanced position due to the absence of Emma Thompson, she got off the mark in the 13th minute when Ellie-Mae Richardson’s shot was parried into her path for a simple finish.
The third came seven minutes later when a dangerous cross from Shelly Provan was inadvertently headed in by an Abingdon defender for an own goal. Oxford were in control under the lights, and Manders got her second and third of the evening by finishing crosses into the box by Burgess and Wiseman respectively. It’s now seven goals scored by Oxford’s number 30 in her opening three matches of the season.
United went into half-time cruising at 5-0 and introduced Quirk and Grace Palmer at the break in place of Manders and Jenna Legg.
It took just five minutes for Quirk to net her first goal for Oxford United following her summer switch from AFC Bournemouth. The winger drove down the wing before clinically chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to make it six.
The WNL Southern Premier Division Player of the Year got her second of the night following good work by Palmer down the right-hand-side. The substitutes combined before Quirk finished into the bottom corner.
Sealey had a strong performance down the left-wing throughout the match and rounded of the scoring with a well-deserved goal in the 77th minute. Her initial effort rebounded off an Abingdon defender and into her path where she made no mistake in finding the back of net at the second time of asking.
The referee blew for full-time to seal an 8-0 victory away from home for United in the opening match of Group K. Oxford will face MK Dons and Arsenal PGA in the remaining two matches of the group stage.
To hear the post-match thoughts of Liam Gilbert, Eva Burgess and Belle Rowden, please click HERE.
Next up is a return to league action at the MGroup Stadium. Liam Gilbert’s side will be hoping to continue their strong momentum when they host Cheltenham Town at 2:00pm on Sunday 30 August.
Get your tickets for Sunday’s match HERE.
