HerGameToo fixture between Oxford United Women and Exeter City Women ends in a one nil affair as the Grecians leapfrog the U’s to third

Oxford United Women fall to a one 1-0 defeat to Exeter City at the MGroup Stadium.

A Sophie Gillies third minute strike was the difference between the two sides.

2| GOAL

🟡🔵 OXFORD 0️⃣-1️⃣ #ECFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/NP3zzsvF48

— Exeter City Women FC (@ExeterCityWFC) March 9, 2025

In the first 45 the U’s made many crosses into the box, but none of which found the final touch. Oxford’s closest chance of the first half came in the 36th after top goal scorer Pheobie Poole’s chance sailed over the cross bar.

U’s keeper Beth Howard made a number of good saves to keep the score-line at 1-0 going into half time.

The second half saw a lot better of a performance from the Yellows.

The U’s dominated possession, and created chance after chance, a firm and strong Grecian’s back line defended well making it hard for the U’s to get that final touch in the box.

With 🔟 minutes left to play United are working hard to get back on level terms

🟡0-1🔴 80' | #OUWFC pic.twitter.com/oWRkkOEDwQ

— Oxford United Women FC (@OfficialOUWFC) March 9, 2025

The closest chance in the second half came again from Phoebie Poole, in the dying seconds of the game when her effort went narrowly over the bar.

U’s midfielder Jenna Legg expressed her frustrations: “Definitely not our best today, certainly first half. We put on a better show and had more fight in the second half”.

“To concede that early on it sort of killed us, they defended well and we were up against it, we can’t concede or start games like that, so we made our own bed today”.

The U’s dedicated their game to International Women’s Day and HerGameToo, the occasion attracted over 450 fans.

Today’s attendance was 452.
Thank you all for your support! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/7ei22pVUIy

— Oxford United Women FC (@OfficialOUWFC) March 9, 2025

“It was a shame that we couldn’t of put on a better performance for the people that came, I think it’s brilliant to have so many people through the door. There was three or four young teams cheering us on, loads of families, face painting and everything like that so the club and HerGameToo have put on a lovely day, but it’s a shame about the result”.

Movement in the south 📈

Billericay Town climbed out of the relegation zone with three points, but Plymouth have two games in hand.#FAWNL | @BTFCWomen | @ArgyleWFC pic.twitter.com/TQrGLM3Toh

— FA Women's National League (@FAWNL) March 9, 2025

Up next for the U’s, they host Watford on Sunday the 23rd March at the MGroup stadium.