OXFORD United Women boss Liam Gilbert said Ashford Town ‘wanted it more’ in his side’s shock 3-0 defeat in the FA Cup.
United struggled to find their rhythm in freezing conditions against the London & South East Regional Women’s Premier side, and went 1-0 down after ten minutes.
A simple ball over the top wasn’t dealt with by the United backline and allowed Ashley Cheatley to put the ball in the bottom corner.
United withstood sustained pressure from the home side but did create chances with Sarah King going close and top scorer Beth Lumsden finding the angle too tight with a good chance just before the break.
See also: Cameron Brannagan on Oxford United’s mentality going into Rotherham draw
King and Lumsden went close again early in the second half but Ashford made it 2-0 just after an hour when Lavana Neufville capitalised on a defensive slip.
United chased the game, but the hosts made it 3-0 with seven minutes to go through Alissa Down.
Gilbert said: “They’re a very good team and we knew that, they deserved the win and I think they wanted it more than us.
“They adapted to the conditions better than we did and when they got the second goal after half time, they seemed to grow in confidence
“We’d loved to have been in the hat for the next round but they’re in the next round and not us.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here