As Oxford United Ladies travelled to Henley for their first away game of the season, manager Paul Davies was forced to name a very different side from that which won 9-1 over Reading Ladies a week before.  With both central defenders out suspended and no left back available for selection it gave a number of reserve players the opportunity to step-up and make their debuts for the first team, it also made for a very unfamiliar back line for United.

Oxford’s back line were still getting to grips with the pace of Henley’s quick passing game when they found themselves two down in quick succession.  It was always going to be hard for United to get back into the game after such a poor start and the inexperienced side let their heads drop.  United managed to weather the storm, and for the next 20 minutes they slowly started to work themselves into the game.  It was at that point, after all United’s hard work, that Henley’s striker broke the offside trap and slotted home past the stranded Holly Randell to make it 3-0.

United managed regain some control in the midfield and some good work down the left from Becca Corbett and Steph Barras carved out space for Barras to get a good cross into the box which Bev Hirons latched onto with a crisp half volley into the corner of Henley’s net taking United into the break with some hope of a revival.

The half time break saw some stern words from Davies, but United left the dressing room knowing that an early goal could get them right back in the match.  Unfortunately for Oxford it went the other way and Henley increased their lead and their confidence grew as a result.  Davies made a tactical substitution, replacing a defender with a midfielder to try and plug the fast appearing holes in midfield and stem the tide of Henley attacks.  Ten minutes into the half things got worse for United.  Central midfielder Colleen Ashbee rolled her ankle in the turf and was unable to continue, with no more subs on the bench United were down to 10 players and in trouble.

Henley immediately made the extra players tell forcing a corner which Oxford were unable to clear and a good finish brought the score to 6-1.  Randell’s dive saw her get fingertips to the ball, but she couldn’t get enough on it to turn it wide.  In the process of making the save Randell, already playing with a pulled thigh, takes a knock and can’t continue.  Right back Sharon Fostekew volunteers to take her place.

With only 8 outfield players United can’t compete in midfield and Henley Town began to rain shots down on the Oxford goal.  Fostekew made some great stops in goal and helped keep United’s goal difference in positive figures, but in the end it was a poor performance and Henley Town punished them for it.