Heading into this game against Launton, Oxford United Ladies were looking to build on 2 positive performances in the new year and come away with what would hopefully be another 3 points.

Oxford made all of the early running as they battled against a strong, swirling wind and the first break came after 14 minutes as Steph Barras broke down the right wing, easily beating the left back for pace and pulling the ball back across the box. Unfortunately for Oxford, as with most of their luck this season, no one could get that all important chance and Launton scrambled the ball away.

United continued to press, without managing to get any reward and Launton slowly began to work their way into the game. After a series of corners, United failed to clear their lines properly and Launton managed to poke the ball past ‘keeper Holly Randell and into the Oxford net. After such a good start, United again found themselves 1-0 down.

It was now Launton’s turn, buoyed by the goal, to press and United’s defence had to hold firm. It was becoming a scrappy game and Oxford’s midfield were struggling to get hold of the ball and it kept coming straight back at the yellows. Eventually this pressure told, but in the most bizarre fashion. A speculative effort from Launton was picked up by the wind and sailed over the U’s defence and looked to be going well over Randell’s head. The swirling wind then held the ball up and dropped it inches under the bar. United went into the break a very undeserving 2-0 down.

Oxford began the second half positively, looking to get back into the game as early as possible, but again struggled in the final third.

As the game began to get bogged down in the middle some tasty challenged started to fly in from both teams and when Barras had to leave the pitch after coming of the worse from a 50-50 challenged and damaging the ligaments in her knee, it all threatened to boil over. As the two captains tried to control their teams and United still concerned about Barras and the replacement sub yet to come on Launton hit the killer blow. United, struggling to cover the vacant right midfield position where nowhere as the low cross found a Launton striker free on the edge of the area who fired home with 10minutes to go.

United continued to battle on, but never looked like getting back into the game. A much better performance that it might have been before Christmas, but Oxford need to start converting these into wins and get a bit of confidence back for the rest of the season.