OXFORD United admitted they suffered an ‘off-day’ after crashing 5-1 away to Brighton & Hove Albion in FA Women’s Super League 2 on Thursday.

A hat-trick for Aileen Whelan and a goal from ex-United striker Ini Umotong con-demned the visitors to defeat.

The U’s goal came from Chloe Chivers, who was baffled by their lacklustre display.

“I can’t even explain what happened,” she said. “We made the game hard for ourselves in the second half.

“We stuck to our game plan, but it just didn’t work

“I’m happy that I got a goal, but it was just an off-day.”

Kate Natkiel broke the deadlock inside four minutes, as her fierce shot from 25 yards out curled past Oxford keeper Demi Lambourne.

Brighton doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when Whelan fired in.

Early in the second half, Chivers pulled a goal with a long-range effort.

Umotong’s mazy run set up Whelan’s second, before she scored a great goal of her own.

Whelan completed her hat-trick with a super volley six minutes from time.

Oxford Utd: Lambourne, Yorston (Baker 82), Haynes, Casley (Allen 82), Franklin-Fraiture, Hillman, Chivers, Fyfe (Noble 60), Carlton, Oliver, Short. Sub not used: Clark.