Oxford United Women finished 6th in the FAWSL 2 table in 2015 and would be looking to improve and push for the top half of the table this time around. League form this season hasn't gone as well as they would have liked picking up just the two wins from 7 league matches played to date. Brought Ini Umotong in from Portsmouth FC Ladies at the start of the season to add strength and a goal threat up top has scored 6 times in 8 games played to date, elsewhere in the side goals have been hard to come by. Closing in on the mid point of the season face a tough test tonight as they welcome FAWSL 2 leaders Yeovil Town Ladies to Abingdon. Have added some more depth to their squad during the mid-season transfer period bringing in Chelsea duo Jenna Legg and Laura Rafferty on loan.
A 4th placed finish for Yeovil Town Ladies in 2015 and with 2 more promotion places to FAWSL 1 they are amongst the favourites to clinch one. Are the current leaders with 19 from 8 matches played, with 6 wins a draw and loss. 2 points clear of 2nd placed Bristol City WFC with a game in hand have a chance to open up a 5 point gap with a win. Have been scoring the goals too 19 spread amongst the team with Sarah Wiltshire currently being overlooked by the Welsh National team scoring 9 of those. Have signed goalkeeper Beth Howard on a short term deal to provide added cover for goalkeepers Charlotte Haynes and Charlotte Johnson. Another player to join is Kelly Aldridge a prolific goalscorer for Cardiff City Ladies last season.
Hit the road early for the long journey down from Norfolk to Abingdon United FC where Oxford United Women play their home matches. The pitch looked in very good condition the grass perhaps a little long a warm evening dry but with a few dark clouds overhead as the two sides walked out.
Oxford United Women starting XI - Hannah Cox, Jess Frampton, Laura Rafferty, Rosanna Lane, Laura Nichol, Lauren Haynes (C), Ella Franklin-Fraiture, Holly Pickett, Madison Lee, Lauren Allison & Ini Umotong.
subs - Demi Lambourne, Sophie Baker, Charlotte Deeley, Mollie Dyer, Ellie Noble & Georgia Timms.
Yeovil Town Ladies starting XI - Charlotte Haynes, Lauren Townsend, Nicola Cousins, Hannah Short, Helen Bleazard, Ellie Curson (C), Stephanie Williams, Nadia Lawrence, Ellis Hillman, Sarah Wiltshire & Atlanta Primus.
subs - Charlotte Johnson, Kelly Snook, Anne-Marie Heatherson, Emily Donovan, Natasha Knapman & Kelly Aldridge.
It's Yeovil to kick off the game 1st half wearing their away kit a two tone gray coloured shirt lighter torso with dark grey sleeves, green around the collar, black shorts with black and green hooped socks with Oxford lined up opposite wearing yellow shirts, with navy socks and shorts. Sarah Wiltshire is fouled clipped on the ankle right from the off Oxford conceding the free kick just beyond the centre circle. The ball is played long into the box, bounces wide out of play not troubling goalkeeper Hannah Cox.
GOAL! Oxford take an early lead as they counter attack, Yeovil are pushed up on halfway as Ella Franklin-Fraiture plays a long ball out from the back on the right side with well placed to break beyond the defence to latch onto the ball an sprint with it up towards the penalty box, can't be caught as Yeovil goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes comes racing out to the corner of the area to meet her, Umotong slides the ball past her and it rolls into the back of the empty net 1-0 inside 3 minutes.
Oxford have started well Umotong's power and strength causing Yeovil a few problems is played in through the middle a few minutes later carrying the ball on under challenge from Yeovil's Nicola Cousins still manages to get a shot away edge of the area, doesn't make a good connection with the shot rolls wide of the mark.
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| Ini Umotong's power and pace causing Yeovil problems early on |
Yeovil are trying to get the ball out to the players providing width Wiltshire over on the left, Ellis Hillman on the right of attack, the long balls swept out to them not finding their mark. Yeovil win a corner on the left side the ball is swung in towards the near post Atlanta Primus going up for it with Cox coming to punch gets the ball past her is cleared off the goal line out for a throw. An Oxford player is down in the box play is stopped for the trainer to come on Madison Lee is unable to continue Georgia Timms is the substitute.
A ragged start from Yeovil a little rattled with Umotong posing a threat through the middle, lays the ball out to Lauren Allison attacking down the right wing, crosses from a deep position a high ball lofted into the six yard box, Haynes is able to claim with no one challenging for the ball. A free kick awarded to Yeovil on half way is played long by Helen Bleazard looking for Hannah Short far side of the area gets her head to the ball knocked down into the box Oxford regain the ball a launch a rapid counter with Franklin-Fraiture once more looking to play the cross field ball long for Umotong ready to burst clear with the ball heading for the right corner of the area again scuffs the shot this time rolls harmlessly wide.
A throw for Yeovil on the left inside the Oxford half finds it's way through to Wiltshire 25 yards out from goal hits the shot on the bounce on target going across the Oxford goal Cox diving full stretch produces a magnificent save pushing the ball wide for a corner kick.
Oxford are conceding several free kicks in the midfield giving another away gives Bleazard an opportunity to play the ball into the area central to goal smashes the ball into the Oxford wall spins away to the right is picked up by Primus who attacks the Oxford defence powering her way forwards unleashes a shot that has Cox scrambling to her left but the ball ends up in the side netting.
Timms gets forwards with the ball for Oxford let's fly from 25 yards out her shot blacked by Short on the edge of her area. Nadia Lawrence brings the ball out for Yeovil through the middle plays a good diagonal ball out to Hillman on the right, getting onto the ball drives forwards looking to get in behind Oxford's defence get into the area, Jess Frampton tackles well to put the ball out for a throw. A challenge for Yeovil to solve are finding it difficult to break down a stubborn Oxford defence in the opening 20 minutes.
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| Oxford United WFC left back Jess Frampton |
GOAL! Oxford double their lead mid way through the 1st half and it's another for Umatong as she is picked out with another fantastic pass from deep as Oxford regain the ball, the striker flicks the ball on leaving a defender in her wake bursting forwards only one thing on her mind, Bleazard attempts to get round on the cover, Umotong evades her challenge as Haynes starts to come again Umotong shoots the ball rolling in off the post to make it 2-0.
GOAL! An instant response from Yeovil as they pull a goal back quickly after going 2-0 down. Getting the ball down the other end quickly from the restart win a corner kick on the left. The ball is fired in towards the near post area, Hillman is there to attack it heading the ball towards goal, Cox gets across parries the ball away knocking it up into the air, is put back across the six yard box drops perfectly for Short who jumps and puts plenty of power into her header drilling it into the back of the net 2-1.
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| Hannah Short scores from the corner for Yeovil Town Ladies |
Ellie Curson, Yeovil's captain get's back to break up an Oxford attack as Franklin-Fraiture looks to go beyond Umotong on the right sides in to put the ball out for a throw. Lauren Townsend is fouled for Yeovil a barge into her back the free kick given away just beyond the centre circle Bleazard sends an inviting ball into the box Primus looking to throw herself at the ball doesn't distract Cox as she takes it cleanly into her gloves on the bounce.
Allison dos well for Oxford gets in around the defence on the right taking the ball into the area wins her side a corner kick. The ball is played high into the six yard box runners coming in to attack one is Umatong gets up will but can't keep her header down flies over the crossbar. With Umatong a threat often through the middle and right Oxford haven't always used the opposite flank to their advantage 1st half with Holly Pickett out there ready to receive the ball this time she is plays through springing the offside trap takes the ball inside before taking on the strike from 25 yards out heading for the top corner needs a fantastic save from Haynes to tip the ball over the bar for the corner kick.
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| Yeovil Town Ladies, Helen Bleazard |
Bleazard steals the ball from Oxford as they come over halfway looks up has Wiltshire out on the left produces a top class ball into the middle of the area Wiltshire looks to attack it with her head can't quite get the contact to turn it past Cox. Counter from Oxford, Franklin-Fraiture with the determined run on the ball to the right corner of the area lays it across the face of the box with Timms providing the run to meet it, opens up her body to place the shot get's it through the bodies in front of her Haynes gets down and manages to block it, doesn't take the ball cleanly but snatches the loose ball into her body at the second attempt. Allison is booked as she foolishly kicks out at a Yeovil player prone on the floor after a challenge.
Yeovil think they have equalised late in the half as Hillman coming in from the right headers home a long ball sent up into the ball from half way on the left, but the celebrations are cut short due to a raised flag for offside. Allison travels with the ball up the right attacking for Oxford, lays it into Umotong edge of the area, Short gets to her tackling well to prevent the turn and shot. Late pressure from Oxford in the 1st half possession around the Yeovil area Umotong sends the ball out to Pickett on the left deep puts it back down the line for Frampton to play the ball into the area, picks out Timms, very nearly gets the ball through the defence and goalkeeper runs the wrong side of the post.
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| Holly Pickett attacking for Oxford United Women |
Curson is booked as she bring's down Umotong 25 yards from goal. Pickett is over the free kick goes for the shot doesn't trouble Haynes well positioned to claim the ball. This time as they break Wiltshire coming in from the left gets her head to the ball as Bleazard picks her out with another superb pass, Wiltshire gets plenty of power on the header sends the ball back across goal but wide of the far post.
Half-time Oxford United Women 2-1 Yeovil Town Ladies
Aldridge has the ball at her feet driving towards the Yeovil goal right side hits the shot on the run getting it away just before Lane can get her tackle in, Cox parries the shot behind for a corner kick. Is a good ball into the box from the corner, into the six yard box, plenty of bodies around, Rafferty heads clear the ball is fired back into the box but by then Oxford have cleared their lines Yeovil's attackers are caught offside.
Aldridge has made an impact since coming on has the ball deep again let's fly with a strike from distance Cox dives to her left is beaten the ball smashes against the post the rebound taking it across the face of goal, Donovan is free far side open goal to aim at looks to place it over power back across, Cox recovers spectacularly to get back on her feet and leap forwards to stop the ball crossing the line out for another corner kick.
Short fouls Umotong in the middle of the Yeovil half players come forwards for the free kick is sent in towards the left side of the area for players to attack Haynes comes for it and is left on the floor hurt as sh collides with Short, Rafferty heads the ball into the back of the net but the goal is disallowed. Haynes needs treatment but is back on her feet as the game moves into injury time.
Oxford play an inviting ball forwards from the left side Umotong is after it as Haynes comes to gather on the edge of her area, is a heavy collision between the pair that leaves both floored and in alot pf pain. Umotong slowly gets back to her feet, no such good news for Haynes the goalkeeper has hardly moved the stretcher is called for and she is carried from the pitch unable to continue. All there subs used it's Bleazard who dons the keepers jersey and takes up position between the posts.
With an outfield player in goal in the final moments Oxford look to press test Bleazard's skills out, her team mates have other ideas and battle hard to keep the ball from getting anywhere near their box as the game draws to a close and the referee ends a cracking game the points shared as it ends 2-2.
A battling display from Oxford did very well 1st half to get themselves a 2 goal lead, Umotong causing the Yeovil defence all sorts of problems, pulling it back to 2-1 Yeovil fought their way back, sorted a few things out at half-time and came out the stronger side pulling the scores level, had chances to take all 3 points will have a few sore bodies the next day, an entertaining game to watch. Yeovil are 3 points clear at the top as they reach the halfway mark of the season, same again and they will be celebrating promotion.
A little later than normal getting the report published so an update on goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes was taken to hospital for a precautionary x-ray thankfully nothing is broken as her rehab begins and I wish her well in her recovery.
A fast paced and entertaining 1st half, Oxford doing well taking an early lead, Umotong through the centre proving to be a real handful to deal with, the home side have had the best of the midfield battle Franklin-Fraiture and captain Lauren Haynes marshalling the ball well. The league leaders getting an immediate response after going 2-0 have struggled to get their attackers on the ball.
Oxford to kick off the second half. Like the 1st half the free kick is conceded straight away Curson tripping Umotong. The ball is sent long into the area with Umotong right side the target, several attempted headed clearances later the ball is put away on the right for a throw. Townsend wins Yeovil a corner on the right is played long to the far post headed behind for another corner. This one taken short is passed to Townsend who lifts the ball into the middle of the area, Laura Nichol playing right back for Oxford gets the ball clear.
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| Oxford United's Laura Nichol keeps Yeovil's Sarah Wiltshire away from the ball |
Cousins gets onto the ball left brings it forwards plays it on to Wiltshire takes on the early shot drilling the ball in low is deflected as Nichol blocks almost runs through to Primus attacking the opposite post but with Cox coming to close her down misses the ball rolls behind for the goal kick. Good run from Hillman on the right as she gets in behind Frampton, the defender is quick to recover and makes a good tackle to rob Hillman of the ball as she enters the area. A brighter start from Yeovil at the start of the 2nd half.
Haynes is back in her area to head the ball clear as Cousins sends in the cross from the left. Yeovil make a substitution Hillman the player off as new signing Kelly Aldridge comes on to make her debut for the club early in the 2nd half. Primus lifts a shot over the Oxford crossbar from 25 yards out right side of the D as she shows good strength holding off Laura Rafferty before turning and hitting the shot.
GOAL! Yeovil get themselves back on level terms the ball is out for a throw on the right side Aldridge get's hold of the ball puts it into Curson's feet, is a long way out wide tries a speculative effort hitting the ball towards goal looping up with plenty of pace on the ball Cox reacts late is rooted to the grass as the ball drops over her and it into the goal beyond 2-2.
On top in the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half with the lions share of the attack Yeovil press forwards again down the left a shot is curled in from the angle has Cox back pedalling across her goal but the ball drops past her far post. Cousins up the left lifts her cross up into the box, Oxford don't clear it drops to Townsend just inside the area, is closed down quickly no room to turn plays the ball to Short her attempt at goal is blocked Oxford launch it up the pitch Umatong has the pace to get onto the end of the ball 30 yards out is going to get closed down tries to go for the lob send the ball over Haynes her attempt is wild spins away from goal.
An eye of the needle pass (insert your name here because I didn't see who) from Yeovil's midfield almost sees Wiltshire making a great run into the box in on goal, Cox alert get's there just in the nick of time sliding in to take the ball off the strikers toe. Franklin-Fraiture puts the block in to regain possession of the ball for Oxford then passes to Umotong breaking on the right smashes her shot on the angle wide across the face of goal. Williams goes into the referee's book for supposedly pulling back Umatong after an advantage is played. Primus playing through the middle rolls the ball in behind for Wiltshire coming into the box from the left, Rosanna Lane puts in the tackle to win the ball.
Lawrence up on the left as Yeovil attack has the ball rolled into her spins away from her marker and is clear in behind up the wing plays the pass square to Wiltshire inside the area left of goal goes for the shot too much lift sends it over the bar. Yeovil are getting better joy down the channels 2nd half Wiltshire and Aldridge able to get closer to Primus in the centre, whilst up the other end are preventing Umotong getting the ball as often, a physical game a few are carrying knocks.
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| Yeovil Town Ladies, Nadia Lawrence |
The ball played long from the back is headed on by Wiltshire with Lawrence benefiting as she runs in behind left of the area comes inside before taking on the shot, aiming near post Cox gets down pushes the ball behind for the corner. In the six yard box Williams tries to get something on the ball but can't get it through the crowd Oxford clear. Another long ball up to Primus sees her in a battle with Rafferty to get into the area the defender staying on her and putting in a great tackle inside the D.
Substitution for Oxford as they bring on Ellie Noble for Allison with a little over 20 minutes left to play. Yeovil make a change too Williams coming off to be replaced by Natasha Knapman. Oxford break with Franklin-Fraiture getting on the ball again spraying the play wide to Umatong peeling away on the right looks to take on the early shot slices her foot across the ball takes it away from goal.
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| Atlanta Primus and Ella Franklin-Fraiture battle for the ball |
Both sides are pushing in attack late in the game, Wiltshire runs clear on the left the ball played into her run shoots early the effort lacks both powers and height allowing Cox to gather easily near post. Wiltshire comes very close moments later the ball put into her feet on the edge of the box linking up with Aldridge the shot is put in heading for the top corner is narrowly wide. Emily Donovan is Yeovil's last substitution replacing Lawrence 10 minutes left to play.
Aldridge has the ball at her feet driving towards the Yeovil goal right side hits the shot on the run getting it away just before Lane can get her tackle in, Cox parries the shot behind for a corner kick. Is a good ball into the box from the corner, into the six yard box, plenty of bodies around, Rafferty heads clear the ball is fired back into the box but by then Oxford have cleared their lines Yeovil's attackers are caught offside.
Aldridge has made an impact since coming on has the ball deep again let's fly with a strike from distance Cox dives to her left is beaten the ball smashes against the post the rebound taking it across the face of goal, Donovan is free far side open goal to aim at looks to place it over power back across, Cox recovers spectacularly to get back on her feet and leap forwards to stop the ball crossing the line out for another corner kick.
Short fouls Umotong in the middle of the Yeovil half players come forwards for the free kick is sent in towards the left side of the area for players to attack Haynes comes for it and is left on the floor hurt as sh collides with Short, Rafferty heads the ball into the back of the net but the goal is disallowed. Haynes needs treatment but is back on her feet as the game moves into injury time.
Oxford play an inviting ball forwards from the left side Umotong is after it as Haynes comes to gather on the edge of her area, is a heavy collision between the pair that leaves both floored and in alot pf pain. Umotong slowly gets back to her feet, no such good news for Haynes the goalkeeper has hardly moved the stretcher is called for and she is carried from the pitch unable to continue. All there subs used it's Bleazard who dons the keepers jersey and takes up position between the posts.
With an outfield player in goal in the final moments Oxford look to press test Bleazard's skills out, her team mates have other ideas and battle hard to keep the ball from getting anywhere near their box as the game draws to a close and the referee ends a cracking game the points shared as it ends 2-2.
A battling display from Oxford did very well 1st half to get themselves a 2 goal lead, Umotong causing the Yeovil defence all sorts of problems, pulling it back to 2-1 Yeovil fought their way back, sorted a few things out at half-time and came out the stronger side pulling the scores level, had chances to take all 3 points will have a few sore bodies the next day, an entertaining game to watch. Yeovil are 3 points clear at the top as they reach the halfway mark of the season, same again and they will be celebrating promotion.
A little later than normal getting the report published so an update on goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes was taken to hospital for a precautionary x-ray thankfully nothing is broken as her rehab begins and I wish her well in her recovery.
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