Oxford United Women secure ‘ruthless’ cup win against rivals

The U’s were relentless at Northcourt Road, Liam Gilbert’s side easing past their opponents who compete in the division below.

Nic Gibson opened the scoring after just two minutes before a first-half hattrick from forward Holly Manders and an own goal put the Yellows 5-0 up at the break.

A Sophie Quirk brace and an eighth strike from Ruby Sealey sealed an emphatic victory.

Three young players were handed opportunities to impress on the night, Eva Burgess, Belle Rowden and goalkeeper Olivia Sieradzka all making their names known.

Head coach Gilbert was full of praise for the ruthless U’s in the FAWNL Cup.

“I thought the girls were really professional today,” the United boss told the club after the game.

“It was nice to be able to rotate the team a little bit.

“Obviously, with the start we’ve had to the season, we’ve not really made any changes yet, so to give people an opportunity…and it’s fantastic for players like Eva [Burgess] and for Belle [Rowden] to get 90 minutes and live to keep a clean sheet.

“Those three 17-year-olds there, they’ve done a fantastic job and they grew into the game as it went on.

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“I was really happy for them and I thought the way the girls carried themselves.

“We made a couple of changes at half-time. I thought the intensity and the tone we set in the first half and then the girls that came into the game later on were just really professional.

“That’s what we asked and I wanted us to be ruthless.

“So, we finally scored in the second half. That was ticked off as well.”

Young stars Burgess and Rowden also spoke after full time.

“I think the girls should be really proud of what we did today,” Burgess said.

“I think we kept our standards high throughout the whole game and fought until the end. Nice to get a clean sheet as well.

“I think we’re both really grateful for the opportunity and just taking our time.”

“I’m grateful,” Rowden added.

“Like Eva said, I think it’s a really good opportunity for us. I think it was a good start.

“We set up well and I think it went really good.

“It feels amazing. I think we played really well as a team. Good combinations, good goals as well.

“A different variety of goals as well. I think it went really good.”