Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1(1) 2021-22

All square at Westleigh

Portsmouth 1 Oxford Utd 1
Portsmouth and Oxford United started and
finished the day level on points in the FAWNL
Southern Premier Division table after a hard
fought battle to end a very testing week.
Oxford took an early lead but were pegged
back before the break. Pompey piled on the
pressure in the second half but could not a way
past a resolute U's defence.
Oxford looked the more comfortable on the
ball early on, creating some good positions to test
the home defence and winning free kicks in
dangerous positions. It was from a set piece that
they opened the score on 14 minutes. Kayleigh Sarah King on the attack, chased by Evie Gane
(www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
Hines chipped a lovely ball over the wall which
keeper Hannah Haughton did well to tip on to the post but Carly Johns was on hand to
tuck away the rebound.
The visitors were good value for their lead as the half continued but a defensive
mix-up allowed Cherelle Khassal to steal the ball wide on the left. She found Jade Bradley
who set up Shannon Albuery to turn away from a defender to curl a fine finish beyond
Rose Kite on 35 minutes.
Portsmouth returned after break with greater directness playing early balls over the
top for wide players to exploit. They were able to pen Oxford back far more successfully
though the Oxford central defensive pair were resolute and strong in dealing with
crosses. Keeper Kite made a fine leaping save to turn away an Albuery 25-yard effort on
70 minutes.
At the other end, Sarah King nearly scored with a cross-shot which bounced to
safety off the bar but the attacking threat from Oxford was by now minimal against a
strong Pompey defence.
Pompey continued to dominate through the final minutes forcing corners and
having shots saved or blocked. Right at the very end, Kite ensured the points were shared
with another acrobatic leap to punch away an Emma Jones shot bound for the top right
corner.
With Southampton and Ipswich Town having 100 per cent records after four
matches, both Portsmouth and Oxford United will want to gather as many points as
possible in the coming weeks to keep the leaders in sight in a very competitive division.
Portsmouth: Hannah Haughton, Rebekah Tonks, Dan Rowe, Jaime Gotch, Jade
Bradley, Dani Lane, Hayley Bridge, Cherelle Khassal, Evie Gane, Shannon Albuery,
Sammy Quayle. Subs: Rosie McDonnell, Emma Jones, Ava Rowbotham, Freya Jones,
Jazz Younger.
Oxford Utd: Rose Kite, Emily Wallace, Megan Alexander, Lauren Haynes, Gemma
Sims, Riva Casley, Sarah King, Kayleigh Hines, Carly Johns, Lily Stevens, Beth
Lumsden. Subs: Daisy Ackerman, Sophie Baker, Cat Beaver, Molly Childerhouse, Jade
Grove.

news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 1 - 2 September 2021