Oxford United Women continued their strong start to the National League campaign with an excellent 3-0 win at home to previously unbeaten Bridgwater at Court Place Farm this afternoon
Goals from Carly Johns, Sophie Baker and a great free kick from Beth Lumsden were enough to see the U’s leapfrog their opponents in the table.
United started brightly and Johns came close after just seven minutes when her cross-shot clipped the top of the bar. Johns was causing huge problems for Bridgwater and that was evident again five minutes later when she was brought down in the box, winning a penalty. Johns dusted herself down and buried the spot kick into the corner despite the keeper going the right way.
United continued to apply pressure and a Lauren Haynes shot from distance whistled just over the bar but it was 2-0 in the 25th minute when Daisy McLachlan slid through Baker who finished brilliantly from just inside the penalty area.
Bridgwater did come back into the game before half time but were thwarted by Rose Kite in the United goal.
The second half started in a scrappy manner with few chances to report but United introduced Rachel Panting for her debut with twenty minutes remaining and she showed some good touches up top.
The U’s got their third soon after when top scorer Lumsden fired a delightful free kick into the top corner from the edge of the area.
United could have added further goals late on, substitute Sarah King scuffing her shot straight at the keeper although Bridgwater pushed for a consolation but were denied by a point blank save by Kite.
A brilliant performance and result for Liam Gilbert’s side.
OUWFC VS BRIDGWATER UNITED
TEAM: Kite, Alexander, Beaver, Casley (MacKenzie 80), Wallace, Baker, Haynes, Stevens (Panting 68), McLachlan (Ackerman 89), Lumsden, Johns(King 72).
Subs- Childerhouse, Panting, MacKenzie, King, Ackerman
Att: 209
Report by Jack Sale, pictures Darrell Fisher