On Sunday, Oxford United Women lost 3-2 to Plymouth Argyle in the FAWNL Cup.
Despite leading 2-0 at half time through Nic Barrett and Emma Thompson’s strikes, Oxford were unable to hang onto their lead and shipped three goals in the second half, including two from former Oxford player Ellie Noble and Phoebie Poole.
Oxford started brightly and were fully deserving of their 1-0 lead after 15 minutes. Nicole Barrett pounced on a loose back pass and did well to get her shot away. Hermione Cull made a good save, but the ball rebounded into the net.
Barrett was also instrumental in United’s second goal, just eight minutes later. Her run and cross from the right was met by Thompson, who steered the ball past Cull to threaten Plymouth’s unbeaten home record.
A third goal before the break would surely have sealed United’s passage into the quarter-finals, but they were denied by Cull on three occasions, including an excellent save from Maisy Barker in stoppage time.
After the break, Plymouth put the U’s under immediate pressure, forcing several corners, from one of which Layla Proctor, who had already hit the post, headed home to halve United’s lead.
United looked a lot less threatening in the second half, and the momentum was with the hosts, although it took until the 80th minute before they found the equaliser. Argyle were awarded a very soft free kick 30 yards from goal, from which former U’s midfielder Noble shot home off the underside of the bar.
The winner came shortly after in very controversial fashion. Nic Gibson made what appeared to be a perfectly good tackle on Tianna Teisar but the referee adjudged that she brought down the Plymouth player and awarded the home side a penalty. Poole stepped up and sent Beth Wookey the wrong way to knock the Yellows out of the competition.
After the game, coach Shaun Green said: “First half I thought we were almost faultless, controlled the game and created opportunities.
“We knew what to expect in the second half. I don’t think we took control of the game. I was disappointed with the nature of the goals, particularly the third goal. But ultimately, it comes down to us as a group to ensure that we can see the game out, and that was lacking a bit in the second half.”
United have the chance to avenge this defeat immediately, as this Sunday they welcome Plymouth to the MGroup Stadium in a National League fixture.
UNITED: Wookey, Gibson, Provan (Sealey 66), Wiseman, Casley, Barrett, Thompson, Jenkins, Palmer, Barker, Manders
