AFC Bournemouth Women 2 Oxford United Women 1

Captain Noami Bedeau’s shot hits the bar (Photo: Liam Faulkner)

Oxford United Women went down to Bournemouth last night but lost 2-1 to the Cherries, who went top of the National League Southern section as a result, thanks to Watford being held to a draw by Real Bedford.

In the circumstances, it was a decent performance from the Yellowesses, who were still reeling from the surprise departure of manager Sam Rose, who left the club ‘by mutual consent’ the day before. Obviously, there is speculation about the reasons for his ‘mutual consent’ departure, but I believe it has something to do with the side being virtually out of the promotion picture so early in the season; one suspects that the higher-ups had targeted promotion to WSL2 and the side hasn’t been delivering.

The timing seems a bit odd, certainly to an outsider, with the team having just progressed in both the League and FA Cups and going into two vital league games (the U’s host Watford this Sunday). However, it is what it is (as they say) and so everyone just has to roll up their sleeves and get on with it.

Given all that background noise, the side could be forgiven for being a bit distracted, and the opening stages of the game suggested just that. For the first half hour, Bournemouth were in total control. They took the lead in the 10th minute – a very good finish from the left winger, who cut in before scoring with a curling shot that gave Beth Wookey in goal no chance.

Six minutes later Bournemouth were two up from a rather fortuitous looping shot and it looked like a case of Oxford hanging on and hoping they could keep the score down to a respectable level. Indeed, the home side kept coming forward and, although they were unable to score another goal, Oxford looked rattled.

The tide was partially stemmed after half an hour when United made a forced substitution. Forward Holly Turner was injured and had to be replaced by Academy Award winning actor Emma Thompson. Suddenly, Oxford had an out ball and someone who could hold onto the ball in an advanced position, allowing the defence to regroup and the midfield to become more involved.

United came out for the second half with renewed vigour. Whatever was said at half time clearly had a motivating effect as the U’s were quicker to press and faster in the transition. However, the two negative qualities that had dogged the first half continued in the second period: too much sloppiness in possession resulted in poor decision making or inaccurate passing, conceding the ball to the opposition; and too many players were too slow and ineffective in the tackle, meaning when possession was conceded the team found it difficult to regain it.

Further substitutions turned the game in Oxford’s favour, especially the introductions of Shaunna Jenkins at the back and Ruby Sealey out wide. In Jenkins, United have a player who is comfortable in possession, can bring the ball out from the back, and can play accurate and key passes. Sealey is strong and quick and can retain the ball while driving at defences, riding (or shrugging off) tackles, although her crossing isn’t the best.

For the final 15 minutes Oxford laid siege to the Bournemouth defence without ever really working the goalkeeper, although Naomi Bedeau did hit the bar with a shot on the turn. That began to change as the game entered a lengthy stoppage time (due to a couple of injuries, loads of substitutions, and the blatant time wasting from the home team that I haven’t really seen in the women’s game before).

Right at the start of stoppage time, United got the goal that they deserved as Jenkins powered home a header from a corner to a huge cheer from the travelling fans (maybe about 40 in number, dwarfed by a huge crowd for this level of 5,850). This gave the visitors renewed heart and for ten minutes it looked like an equaliser was on its way.

Alas, they were unable to find the finish they needed and Bournemouth held out. In retrospect, a valiant second-half performance from the side that would have given heart to any potential new manager watching the game.

However, I don’t believe that the U’s have a promotion-winning squad, despite the vast improvement to personnel from last season. First, there are too many players that are prone to mistakes; second, there are too many players that are simply not quick enough or strong enough to really compete with the top teams in the division.

The Watford game may give us more clues, and whoever comes in to manage the team may be able to get a different tune from the squad, and the summer doesn’t need to be a frenzy of activity as the foundations are there, especially at the back.

For now, though, the fans should relax, enjoy the ride, and look forward to a serious assault on the title next season (hopefully).