Oxford United Women won 5-2 away at Abingdon United this afternoon as they concluded their pre-season schedule ahead of next weekend's season opener.
The U’s started the game brightly, pressing their opponents but struggled to make any clear-cut chances as the rain began to fall at Northcourt Road.The home side took the lead early on as a forward took the ball round goalkeeper Paris Sercombe, only to be fouled by the U’s stopper and the penalty was despatched beyond the keeper to give Abingdon the lead.
United had work to do but it sparked the girls into life. Carly Johns looked lively on the wing and her cross midway through the first half almost led to the U’s' first of the afternoon; although striker Georgia Timms couldn’t get enough on her header.
United did get the equaliser ten minutes before the break in spectacular fashion. Club Captain Lauren Haynes picked the ball up 30 yards from goal, spotted the keeper off her line and fired in off the bar to level the game.
Amidst a great atmosphere at Northcourt Road as the crowd raised money for Oxford United Academy player Fenton Tutty, United began to find their stride after a slow start. Twenty minutes into the second half they took the lead through a trialist who headed home from a good cross by Amber Roberts.
Moments later Carly Johns almost extended the U’s lead as she capitalised on a spill by the Abingdon goalkeeper. Her strike cannoned off the post and was turned away as the U's began to push for more. In doing so, they left themselves exposed in defence and Abingdon United levelled soon after.
The U's responded well and pushed forward again and in a frantic final 15 minutes took the lead again through Georgia Timms who picked the ball up 20 yards out and fired into the top corner.
It was a game of good goals for United and midfielder Kayleigh Hines was next to get in on the action. The U’s won a free kick 20 yards from goal and Hines stepped up to place her effort neatly into the top corner.
The trialist rounded off the scoring minutes from time with a neat finish in the area as United ran out winners in a game that was played in terrific spirits at Northcourt Road.
the team now start their season next weekend on Sunday 18th August at home to Keynsham Town.
UNITED: Sercombe, Roberts, Clifford, Trialist, Trialist, Johns, Haynes, Trialist, Kirby, Lancaster, Timms
Subs (rolling subs): Baker, Williams, Hines, Trialist, McLachlan, Sims, Watson