Oxford United Women were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Bedford in a highly entertaining game at the MGroup Stadium on Sunday.
Holly Manders was the U’s hero, scoring both Oxford goals as they twice came from behind to earn a deserved point.
United had the better of the early play but found themselves a goal behind after 32 minutes, thanks to a fantastic strike from Melis Mehmet, whose shot from outside the area sailed past Beth Wookey into the top corner.
United continued to apply pressure but found the Bedford back line in good form and they went in at the break a goal down.
It didn’t take long for Oxford to get back on level terms, though. Jenna Legg, superb all afternoon in midfield, played the ball through to Manders on the edge of the area and her shot wrong-footed Erica Meale in the visitors’ goal to restore parity.
It was the U’s looking the likelier side to score the next goal, with Meale forced into a couple of decent stops, but again it was the Pirates that scored against the run of play, and again it was Mehmet that caused the damage, wriggling through the Yellows’ defence to prod the ball past Wookey.
This gave the visitors a huge confidence boost and they were unfortunate not to extend their lead as they put United on the back foot.
However, this is an Oxford side that never gives up and, with the game in stoppage time, United were awarded a free kick for handball right on the edge of the Bedford penalty area. Up stepped Manders to fire the ball round the wall and into the net to spark celebratory scenes for the home side.
United are back at the MGroup Stadium this Sunday for their final game of the season as they take on Lewes, who jumped above the U’s thanks to a 2-1 home win over AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Make sure you come along to cheer on the side one last time this season as they look to end the campaign on a high.
UNITED: Wookey, Gibson, Provan (Kendell 80), Wiseman, Bedeau, Barrett, Legg, Jenkins, Richardson (Palmer 71), Trinder (Thompson 60), Manders
Attendance: 241
