Oxford United WFC play their home games at Abington United FC an easy ground to find I could have gone into the ground and driven around the pitch to park, instead found a spot on a side street a few hundred yards away, and in doing so passed a nice looking pub that I shall remember the next time I'm in the area. The teams that had won the bidding process to be granted a WSL 2 licence have had alot of time to prepare for the new season. Oxford United WFC's ground is very nice one seated stand on one side a covered stand between dugouts on the other with plenty of room to stand around the pitch. A bar and function room, and refreshments too. The club had also prepared a very good glossy 32 page programme for £2 which is up there with some of the best the WSL has produced to date.
Both teams raring to go but have had contrasting build up's Oxford United WFC's more settled, sticking with their squad bringing in just a few new faces, whereas London Bees have been a hive of activity (pardon the pun) are in all respects a new club and were short of playing staff when they launched earlier in the year have been recruiting heavily have got the numbers in and only recently appointed their 1st team manager Tom Donati.
The floodlights switched on it was still quite warm a little cloudy with no breeze as the home side Oxford in their kit of Yellow shirts, navy shorts and socks got the match underway against London Bees in their away kit Blue shirts and socks with white shorts. It was the visitors with the early pressure pinning Oxford back in their own half as the match began at a very high tempo.
Looking to stage a counter attack Oxford's centre midfield looked to spray the ball out wide right to no 7 Katie Stanley. With a good burst of pace on the right she unleashes an effort that London Bees goalkeeper Sophie Harris palms down before collecting at the near post.
Working their way down the pitch winning throw in's London Bees had a good taker in Samantha Chappell getting the ball into the box it is headed out by Oxford for a corner on the right. The delivery is good finds the head of Paige Wakefield six yards out but her effort goes over the bar. keeping the pressure on Oxford another dangerous corner falls to the foot of Billie Brooks the shot is blocked and goes behin for another corner this time Oxford clear their lines.
Oxford were struggling to mount an attack such was the visitors early pressing, however a ball played through the centre finds attacker Lauren Allison she is through on goal Sophie Harris comes rushing out does well to block the shot inside the box the ball is deflected loose it comes to Oxford's Kayleigh Hines her shot is close but into the side netting.
History was written then by London Bees, Lucy Loomes breaking free of her marker she is in on goal takes a shot from inside the box Oxford goalkeeper Demi Lambourne drops quickly to stop the ball but it screws up off her and into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to the London Bees. Remember the name (it might be that one piece of knowledge you'll need to win the pub quiz one day) Lucy Loomes the 1st ever goal scorer in WSL 2.
Oxford had an attack soon after the cross fizzed across the goal comes too fast to Holly Pickett, can't get enough on the ball to deflect it in as it goes wide. From an Oxford attack London Bees were on the break Lucy Loomes was in on goal again this time she was foiled by a brilliant tackle from defender Amy Chivers. Kayleigh Hines tries her luck from 40 yards the effort sails over the crossbar and late on Holly Pickett finds the side netting from another dangerous cross.
Half-time Oxford United WFC 0-1 London Bees
The 2nd half kicks off now fully dark with a bright full moon rising behind the stadium. The 1st half had been high tempo from both sides more so London Bees it would be interesting to see if they could keep it up for 90 minutes. It was a slower start the 1st effort on goal a Katie Stanley cross from the right that landed on the roof of the net.
At the other end London Bees, Sydney Hinchcliffe wins the ball off Oxford's defence turns but slipping as she shoots the effort lacks power and rolls comfortably to Demi Lambourne. Katie Stanley is Oxford's main outlet of attack on the right London Bees are working hard to track back Vanna Lee in particular one effort did get through the cross finding Rosie Lane the shot flying wide.
Oxford were for once pushing London Bees back for a spell the ball is flung long both keepers mopping the ball up. The high tempo start has taken it out of the players on both sides Oxford bring on Laura Low for Holly Pinkett, as Lucy Loomes comes off for London Bees her replacement Megan Goss. London Bees score a 2nd goal after possession is given away by Oxford captain Jemma Connor-Iommi pounced on by new London Bees signing Amber Gaylor who takes two steps and shoots from 25 yards the ball beating Demi Lambourne 2-0.
Players on both sides are going down with cramp. Laura Low for Oxford sends a shot wide of the post before Demi Lambourne is forced to race off her line to smother a through ball to Amber Gaylor. London Bees win a free kick 40 yards or so out to the left of the centre circle Paige Wakefield is all set to take when she is called off to be replaced by Chontele Lawrence. Up steps Billie Brooks to take instead lofts the ball goalwards the looping effort dips quickly as Demi Lambourne attempts to stop it the shot sails under the bar and in to make the scoreline 3-0.
Frustrating scoreline for Oxford their attempts are long range as the clock ticks down, Kayleigh Hines putting on shot wide of the post. The last effort falls to Amber Gaylor showing good feet she works space well for a shot only for her effort to go high over the bar. The final whistle blows and London Bees win the 1st 3pts in the WSL 2 to become it's 1st leaders too.
At last the WSL season has started and if this encounter is anything to go by we are in for some cracking games of football.
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