12/3/17, Abingdon United FC, 2pm

WSL 2 Spring Series

Villa went to Oxford with a win and a draw in the spring series so far, with past season’s a Villa victory would of been expected after a double over them last season home and away. Oxford seem a very much improved team who was very hard to break down at the back and were tricky up front. It seemed very hard to get any kind of rhythm against them as well. Chloe Jones was set to make her comeback after injury but was replaced at late notice by Lucy Porter in the midfield.

The first half didn’t have to much happen in it really, just pretty much build up play and a battle in the midfield. The referee seemed to have an issue with Mollie Rouse even though her keeper was pushing her in the back and not the other way around. Rouse and Tash Baptiste battled hard up front but the ball just wouldn’t seem to break. A few times on the width from Beth Merrick, Alice Hassall and Alys Hinchcliffe the ball ended up being fizzed across the box but Oxford always had someone in the way. As i said before Oxford were much improved team from last season. Although the pitch that was shaped like a wave as well that surely didn’t help the state of play.

At half time something felt like it needed to change but second half Oxford had more of the chances to get the victory. Claire Skinner proving why she is an internationally capped player for Wales. As she kept her clean sheet and kept the game at 0-0 and was our best player on the day by a mile. Baptiste had a few chances that Oxford keeper saved keeping them in the game as well. A few substitutions once again were head scratcher’s and questionable in my opinion. Good to see certain people on the bench even if they wasn’t given a chance to prove what they could do during this game. On the balance of play a draw was probably a fair result, maybe we could of nicked it after Claire’s heroics in the goal.

Claire Skinner – Second clean sheet for Villa in 2 games. Kept Oxford at bay was Player Of The Match for me after pulling off save after save when called upon.

Hannah George – Good to see Hannah back in team and getting back to match sharpness with each game.

Jade Richards – Always a danger on corners and made a few important blocks at the back keeping Oxford out.

Elisha N’Dow – Played her part in keeping the game goalless, and also tried to help the team go forward.

Alice Hassall – Did well going forward while trying to stop Oxford creating anything out wide.

Alys Hinchcliffe – Tried to fight hard to create something but ball just wasn’t falling the way that helped.

Katy Moran – Put some good blocks and tackles in stopping Oxford building in the middle.

Lucy Porter – Came in late for Jones but did her job well fighting for the ball, still prefer her at the back.

Beth Merrick – Tried to push the team forward getting past the defenders and putting the ball into dangerous areas.

Mollie Rouse – Battled hard during the first half, very surprised she was substituted at the time she was during the game.

Tash Baptiste – Once again lone striker for most of game was unlucky not to score due to the Oxford keeper.

Lucy Shepherd – Tried to make an impact when came on and when switched to wing tried to drive us forward on attack.

Chloe Dale – Didn’t have much time to do much in the game, but did all she could in the midfield surely pushing for a first team start.

I have to say that Oxford have such a great set up which would even equal some of WSL 1 club’s to shame as well. Hopefully this is something that Villa might look at and wish to add to their set up. Something simple as each player had an item for sale for them in form of a player photo/postcard which i know a few clubs have adapted to their matchday merch as well. It was also good to see an Ex player of ours in Lauren Haynes on the banners outside the ground which welcome you as your arrive. Good to see she is doing so well and is being treated as a star at her current club.

Villa next play Sunderland in the FA Cup on Sunday 19th March at Hetton Centre with a 2pm kick off, looking forward to the away day. The following game will ethier be a match in the next round of the FA Cup on 26th March if we can beat Sunderland or we will be at home to Brighton on Sunday 2nd April with the game being played at Tamworth FC. The Development will be taking on Birmingham at Tamworth FC on Sunday 19th March so if you are not making the journey to Sunderland and you have a free day go support the future of our team at Tamworth FC.

Player Of The Match – Claire Skinner : The reason we left Oxford with a point and a clean sheet. Her second clean sheet out of two games as well. Her great positioning and awareness as well as vocals in the goal kept the defense organized. Some incredible saves was the difference between leaving with nothing and leaving with a point.