Yesterday’s FA Women’s National League South game saw a top-of-the-table clash between Oxford United and Hashtag United.
The hosts, Hashtag came away 2-0 winners. Oxford United women’s captain Leah Burridge reflected on her sides defeat. She highlighted the games challenges as well as lessons the team can build on for next weeks game against high-flying Ipswich Town.
“We have Ipswich next week, who are one of the top teams, we’d rather have one of the top teams than go into a game against someone near the bottom end of the table”.
Full Time. Oxford lose on the road
— Oxford United Women FC (@OfficialOUWFC) November 10, 2024
🔵 2-0 🟣 90+6' | #OUWFC pic.twitter.com/GU7kNRjNSN
Next Sunday’s game gives the U’s a chance to get back to winning ways: “We now need to focus on what we could’ve done better.”
The U’s now drop to third in the league, four points off top spot. As a side, they’ve proven so far this season that they’re a team that can threaten for promotion to The Women’s Championship.
“They put us under pressure, but there were opportunities for us to play, we should’ve had more confidence in playing,” the midfielder said.
Despite The Tags’ dominance, she emphasised that there were moments when Oxford could have taken control of the game.
Energetic first half so far, both teams up for the battle 💪
— Oxford United Women FC (@OfficialOUWFC) November 10, 2024
🔵 0-0 🟣 25' | #OUWFC pic.twitter.com/lclKBoWkCO
“Ultimately, we wanted to retain the ball in their half, which, in my eyes, we didn’t do as well as we should’ve done,” she reflected.
Burridge highlighted the importance of creating more goal-scoring opportunities, stressing the need for more sharp play in the final third: “There weren’t many chances at all that we had against their keeper, so for us, we need to build on that for next week’s game, which is a big game.”
The 27 year old is happy to move on from her sides defeat whilst taking on feedback for future improvements.
“The game’s done and dusted now. We are disappointed. They scored two past us, they weren’t great goals. However, they got the result and the three points today.”
“We’ve got good players, we’ve got confidence when we’re on the ball in the defensive thirds, defending, set pieces, that’s the sort of thing we like and we’re really good at,” Burridge added.
“It’s the final third now that we need to look at, and how we can retain possession in that final third, how we can test their keeper more, and how we can go about getting three points.”
FULL TIME| #️⃣ 2 – 0 @OfficialOUWFC
— Hashtag United FC Women (@hashtagutdwomen) November 10, 2024
That was a MASSIVE 3 points in the season against a tough team! #UPTHETAGS @FAWNL 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/wC0JZT0R6s
The U’s travel to Ipswich Town next Sunday as they look to improve from this weekend’s defeat, and they’ll look to get revenge on The Blues after the 3-0 defeat against them earlier this season. Ipswich Town Women come into the game after a 7-0 thrashing over Cheltenham Town Women.
