Town Women began their season with a 3-0 victory over Oxford United this afternoon, with a brace from Sophie Peskett and a penalty from Lucy O’Brien.
Megan Wearing returned to the side for the first time since January following a back injury, with debuts handed to Shauna Guyatt, Natalia Negri, Angela Addison, Isabella Fisher and Charlotte Fleming, who captained the side.
Sophie Peskett celebrating her first goal of the game (Image: Ross Halls)
Town were on top throughout the first 20 minutes of the game and their pressure paid off in the 21st minute when Peskett’s long cross from the right hit the post and trickled over the line despite Oxford’s best efforts to clear.
The Tractor Girls had a bit of a scare when Poole for Oxford let fire from the edge of the 18-yard box but her looping shot was tipped onto the crossbar from Negri.
Natalia Negri made her debut for Town against Oxford United. (Image: Ross Halls)
The first half came to a close with Town on top throughout.
Town continued the second half in similar fashion and in the 51st minute, Town were awarded a penalty after the ball struck the arm of an Oxford defender.
O’Brien stepped up to take the penalty, slotting the ball low to the keeper’s left and into the back of the net.
Shauna Guyatt on the ball during her Town debut (Image: Ross Halls)
Town went 3-0 up in the 55th when Peskett received the ball from Guyatt on the edge of the area before composing herself and finishing low into the far corner.
Town almost had a fourth in the 77th minute as a deep cross went in from Leah Mitchell but Natasha Thomas’ header went the wrong side of the post.
A dominant Ipswich Town win to start the season for Joe Sheehan’s side with a Felixstowe return next weekend for the side against last season’s runners-up Hashtag United.
Town Women started their season convincingly against Oxford (Image: Ross Halls)
Town Starting XI: Negri, Mitchell (Hughes,84), Wearing, Williams, Barker, Fleming (C), O’Brien (King,92), Guyatt, Addison, Peskett (Bryant, 92), Thomas (Fisher,84)
Unused Subs: Hartley
Attendance: 321