Oxford United Women gave new manager Liam Gilbert the perfect start on Sunday as they comfortably beat Luton Town 3-1, thanks to two goals from Holly Manders and a third from captain Naomi Bedeau.
The game was just 67 seconds old when Manders gave Oxford the lead with a powerful header from Maisy Barker’s driven left-wing cross.
Luton responded well, putting the United defence under some pressure but without looking like they could get back on level terms, and it didn’t take Oxford long to extend their lead. The goal came courtesy of the same combination, as Barker’s cross was met by Manders, whose shot from 12 yards beat goalkeeper Sarah Hudson in the 13th minute.
It looked like Oxford were in complete control and cruising when Bedeau headed home from a corner in the 25th minute, but the offside flag was raised and the goal chalked off. This gave the visitors a reprieve that they took full advantage of, pulling a goal back two minutes later thanks to Leyah Maddix’s curling shot from the edge of the area.
Coming against the run of play, the Luton goal seemed to subdue the U’s and it took a while for them to find their rhythm again. When they did, Manders came close to securing her hat-trick as Ruby Sealey worked the ball into the area and found Manders, but on this occasion Hudson managed to block the shot.
Just like in the first half, Oxford started the second period strongly and scored after just four minutes. This time Bedeau wasn’t to be denied as, following a Manders free kick that was returned into the mix by Riva Casley, she headed past Hudson.
From this point, it was just a question of Oxford settling down and not allowing Luton back into the game, which they achieved reasonably comfortably. Indeed, United could have had a fourth as Emma Thompson’s shot from a Nicole Barrett pass came back off the post.
The U’s are now through to the third round and looking forward to seeing what the draw throws up on Monday evening.
After the game, Gilbert said: “I thought there were some very good moments and we had some really good patches of play, as well as some bits that we’ll need to continue working on.
“I said to the group that I’ll hold them to high standards, and that’s what we’ll do. I thought Holly played really well today and took her chances very well. It’s nice to see her being a little bit higher up the pitch and in some really good pockets of space.
“I thought we created some good chances and on a different day, it’s potentially a different scoreline.”
Next weekend, United are away to Lewes in the league, followed by Gwalia United back at the MGroup Stadium on 7 December.
UNITED: Wookey, Gibson (Trinder 85), Provan (Lindbaek 75), Wiseman, Bedeau (Jenkins 77), Casley, Thompson, Sealey (Barrett 64), Palmer, Barker, Manders
