For the second time in a week, Oxford United Women were beaten by the side in second place in the Women’s National League Southern Division.
On Wednesday the U’s lost 2-1 at AFC Bournemouth but on Sunday it was Watford that came to the MGroup Stadium and left with all three points.
Before the game, Oxford’s influential midfielder Jenna Legg picked up an injury, joining Holly Turner, injured on Wednesday, in the treatment room. Unlike Wednesday, United started on the front foot against the Hornets without really troubling keeper Rebekah Dowsett.
An early injury to former Oxford player Flo Fyfe threatened to unbalance the visitors, but they responded well and started to put the U’s under pressure. However, Oxford did look dangerous on the break and from one Maisy Barker cross Emma Thompson headed narrowly wide.
Two minutes later, though, and Watford took the lead that they had been threatening. A cross from Fyfe’s replacement Eva Gray was met by Izzy Fisher, whose header was beyond keeper Beth Wookey.
United tried to rally but struggled with the visitors’ high press, making it difficult for the U’s to get out of their own half and they welcomed the opportunity to regroup at half time.
Oxford came out for the second period on the front foot and started to apply some serious pressure, without finding a killer pass. Meanwhile, Wookey had to be alert to turn a shot from Fisher over the bar.
Shaunna Jenkins, so often United’s saviour, forced Dowsett into a good save, and substitute Nic Gibson drove a shot just over.
But with the game entering the 90th minute, Watford doubled their lead as Anne Meiwald rose highest at a corner to direct her header into the net, securing the points for the visitors.
After the game, coach Shaun Green said: “I think we started a bit slowly in the first half and they caused a few problems. As the game progressed, particularly in the second half, I thought we got a foothold in the game, moving the ball better, limiting their opportunities and creating more chances.
“There wasn’t too much in the game. We created more opportunities in the second half but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”
The result leaves Oxford in seventh place, now 12 points behind Bournemouth and Watford.Tough games come thick and fast as United now have two consecutive games against third-placed Plymouth Argyle. Next weekend they travel to Devon to compete in the next round of the WNL Cup, followed by the league clash back at the MGroup Stadium.
UNITED: Wookey, Provan (Gibson 63), Wiseman, Bedeau, Casley, Barker (83), Thompson, Jenkins, Palmer, Trinder (Sealey 63), Manders
Attendance: 350
