Shaunna Jenkins heads United into the lead (Photo: Darrell Fisher)

It’s not often that the women’s team takes the plaudits over the men’s side, especially with the men’s team being in such good form, but it’s only right to acknowledge the achievements of the women so far this season, following this weekend’s derby win over Swindon Town.

The 1-0 victory continues the side’s unstoppable form in the league, where they have won all seven of their games, the only side with a 100 per cent record. The clean sheet means that United have yet to concede a goal in those seven wins, giving them a goal difference of +24.

Fulham’s 2-1 win at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday lifted them above the Cherries into second place, six points adrift of the U’s but with a game in hand, while Bournemouth are a further two points behind, having lost their last two games. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s looking increasingly likely that the promotion race is between United and the Cottagers, with the title winners going up to WSL2 next season and the runners-up facing a play-off against the second-placed team in the Northern section (currently West Brom).

Having won three games in a row 5-0, one might be forgiven for thinking that Oxford’s form has tailed off, with the last two games being won by just a single goal. However, that doesn’t tell the full story. In last weekend’s win at Bournemouth, United were reduced to ten players before half-time with the dismissal of Nic Gibson for two yellow cards, after taking the lead through Kate Wiseman. This led to a resilient second-half performance by the U’s, who restricted the home side to just a couple of chances while continuing to threaten on the break.

The effects of this emotionally and physically sapping contest were felt in this weekend’s win over Swindon. While the Yellows dominated the first half, in the second period the players looked leggy and half a yard slower. They continued to keep the visitors at arms length for much of the game, but for the first time this season they came perilously close to conceding, requiring a couple of decent saves from Beth Wookey, some stalwart defending, and some wayward finishing from the Robins.

Gibson’s absence at right-back meant that speed-merchant Maisy Barker was restricted to defensive duties, which helped partially blunt Oxford’s attacking threat, while the prolific pair of Sophie Quirk and Holly Manders failed to hit the target. Wiseman and Grace Palmer in midfield both played well and prevented Swindon from getting a foothold in the game, while captain Jenna Legg was her usual industrious self, although was perhaps playing a few yards further back than normal.

Credit (reluctantly) to the opposition for constraining the U’s and limiting them largely to long-range efforts and for countering at speed when Oxford (far too frequently) gave the ball away when up the pitch. There’ll be lessons learned for United boss Liam Gilbert, who will doubtless take comfort from the fact that, despite being well below their best, the Yellows still won the match, albeit maybe not as comfortably as they should have.

For Swindon, third from bottom and with just one win to their name, this must be seen as a good result despite the defeat. They would have come to the MGroup Stadium expecting a hammering, and for the first 20 minutes or so it looked like that’s what they were going to get, but after Shaunna Jenkins put United ahead with a firm header from a Manders corner, the expected goal blitz failed to materialise.

Next Sunday, United travel to fifth-placed AFC Wimbledon, unbeaten in four and full of confidence after winning 4-1 at Exeter City this weekend. We hope to be at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, topping up our reggae box-sets while cheering the U’s on to another win, mindful of the fact that the unbeaten record is unlikely to last forever but relishing it while it continues.