OXFORD United Women kicked off their new season in the National League with a 2-0 win against Gillingham.

A Sarah King goal in the first half and a header from defender Riva Casley after the break were enough to get the new look U’s off to a flying start at Court Place Farm.

United settled fastest and had the first chance after 20 minutes when Emily Wallace drilled a cross in but it was just out of reach of the dangerous King arriving in the box.

King, a summer signing from Cheltenham Town, then opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break when Hannah Mackenzie stepped forward and lofted a ball behind the Gillingham defence which King ran on to and delicately lifted the ball over the goalkeeper.

United could have doubled their lead in first half stoppage time following a huge scramble in the Gillingham penalty area at a corner but nobody in yellow could force the ball in.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first.

Lily Stevens went close from an Emily Wallace cutback as United looked to make the game safe.

It wasn’t until seven minutes from time that they got their second goal when Casley, who rejoined this summer, headed home from a Lauren Haynes corner.