Oxford United Women kicked off their new season in the National League with an excellent 2-0 win against Gillingham this afternoon
A Sarah King goal in the first half and a header from defender Riva Casley after the break were enough to get the new-look U’s off to a flying start at Court Place Farm.
United settled fastest and had the first chance after 20 minutes when Emily Wallace drilled a cross in but it was just out of the reach of the dangerous King, arriving in the box.
King then opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break when Hannah Mackenzie stepped forward and lofted a ball behind the Gillingham defence and King ran on and delicately lifted the ball over the keeper.
United could have doubled their lead in added time following a huge scramble in the Gillingham penalty area at a corner but nobody in yellow could force the ball in.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Lily Stevens went close from a Wallace cut back as United looked to make the game safe but it wasn’t until seven minutes from time that they got their second goal when Casley headed home from a Lauren Haynes corner.
A very solid start to the league campaign for United
United: Kite, Alexander, Casley, MacKenzie (Williams 86), Wallace (Grove 69), Sims, Haynes, Hines, King, McLachlan (Lumsden 46), Stevens (Baker 74).
Sub not used: Beaver
Report by Jack Sale, pictures Darrell Fisher