WOODLEY United Ladies gave a much-improved performance in their 3-1 Southern Region Premier Division defeat to Oxford City.

The first half was a cagey affair with few chances which had the midfield to the fore and the goalkeepers rarely troubled.

Woodley’s best chance fell to Rosie Page-Smith in the 28th minute, when she broke free of the defence only to shoot from the edge of the penalty area straight to Oxford keeper Maisie Hastings.

The deadlock was broken a minute before half-time when Oxford’s Danielle Anderson held the ball up before laying it back to the edge of the penalty area to be fired past Nicole Haines.

United started the second half in positive fashion in their opponents’ half, but had Haines to thank for keeping the scoreline 1-0 following a counter-attack.

However, the keeper could do little eight minutes into the half when a clearance was intercepted by Anderson who set-up the second.

The hosts completed their scoring in the 61st minute when a cross from the left was poorly cleared allowing another long-range shot pass Haines.

United continued to press with Hastings parrying a Page-Smith shot and Becs Lowes seeing an effort blocked. It was these two who were involved in Woodley’s goal in the 88th minute when Lowes' pass split the home defence and found Page-Smith to slot home.

BARTON Rovers slipped to a 3-1 reverse in their Southern Region Premier Division game against New Milton Ladies.

Rovers took an early lead when a Phoebe Cole corner was put in at the second attempt by Rachel Allwright, but New Milton hit back with a penalty and added two more.

In the Thames Valley Counties League Division Two, South Barton Rovers Royals looked to be cruising against Caversham AFC Swans Women, going in a the break 3-1 up.

However, Caversham then brought it back to 4-3 until Royals added two late goals to earn a 6-3 victory. Ella Bibby and Katy Cresswell both scored twice for Royals, with the other goals coming from Leah North and Lauren Gotting.

LAUREN Hanson was the stand-out performer for Newbury Ladies, but they were thumped 8-0 at Bournemouth in the Southern Region Premier Division.

The visitors fell behind inside the first minute, and things got no better as they slumped to a 4-0 half-time deficit. Bournemouth did not take their foot off the gas, adding a further four second-half goals.