Pierre on target but Women's Under-19s defeated in FAWNL Cup

Our Women’s Under-19s faced defeat in the second game of their FA Women’s National League Cup group phase with a 3-1 loss at Oxford United on Sunday afternoon.

Emma Thompson, who converted Holly Turner’s low cross, gave the hosts the lead after just three minutes before Nicole Barratt cooly added a second just before the half-hour mark as the U’s controlled the proceedings in the first period at the MGroup Stadium.

We produced a much-improved second-half display against the senior side, who currently compete in the third tier of Women’s football, but ultimately their experience provided a difference on the day as Holly Turner wrapped up the victory for the home side just after the hour mark, calmly slotting into the back of the net.

Jhanaie Pierre netted a late consolation goal for our young side, as we were condemned to defeat in our second group game but progression to the FAWNL Plate remains on the cards if we can beat MK Dons in our final clash in Group M later this month.

It took just three minutes into proceedings for the home side to break the deadlock in the contest as Turner inside the left area of the box, near the byline, played a low ball towards the near post and Thompson was there to poke home. The U’s looked to build on the strong start and should have had a second on eight minutes when Barrett’s low delivery from the right found Turner in acres of space inside the six-yard box, but she could only direct her effort over the bar.

Oxford’s experience continued to prevail our young side in the first period, finding the back of the net on two more occasions in the opening 20 minutes but were both ruled out for offside before they eventually had their second on 28 minutes, Barrett advancing into the box before calmly slotting the ball past Erin Radbourne. Our shot stopper then produced a fantastic save to tip Naomi Bedeau’s header around the post as we maintained a two-goal deficit to the hosts at the break.

We came out with plenty more energy after the restart, but Oxford remained on the front foot in the early stages as Turner fired a powerful effort wide. Our first real opportunity came on the hour mark as Grace Breen’s looping header from Mia Endacott’s corner landed on top of the netting before, at the other end, Turner added a third for the hosts as she won possession off Radbourne and slotted home into the empty net.

Pierre was denied by Beth Wookey followed by Endacott’s effort in the box blocked by a defender as we searched for a way back into the contest. Pierre’s corner on 76 minutes caused a bit of panic inside the hosts’ area but Beatrice Cunnison was unable to force the ball over the line while Radbourne still had to be alert in between our stick, pushing Holly Mander’s effort over the bar. We managed to pull a goal back in the second minute of stoppage time as Pierre won the ball off Barrett, advanced into the box before placing the ball past Wookey at the near post.

In all, it provided another valuable experience for our youngster to face a senior opposition in the competition with the focus now switching back to the Professional Game Academy League on Wednesday with a trip to Charlton Athletic.

"There’s plenty of positives to take from this game and a huge step forward from last week"

Reflecting on the game, Head Coach Sabiha Jamal said: “I’m very impressed with the performance. Oxford United are one of the most competitive sides we’ve faced, they came with plenty of experience and quality but we competed out of possession, in all duels, and that’s what I wanted to see.

“We conceded early but the reaction to stay in the game showed our character. We will take the learnings from the goals we conceded. We looked confident in the second half and had plenty of chances, but we were unfortunately unable to convert, which means we fall short. Overall, there’s plenty of positives to take from this game and a huge step forward from last week.”

Match data

Goals: Oxford - Thompson 3, Barrett 28, Turner 61; Spurs - Pierre 90+2.

Yellow cards: Oxford - Sealey 77.

Venue: MGroup Stadium.

Weather: Cloudy, 20 degrees.