SOPHIE Baker is set for her 100th appearance for Oxford United Women tomorrow when the U’s will look to close the gap at the top of the National League Southern Premier.

Baker progressed through the youth ranks at United and will join a select group of players to have played a century of matches for the side.

The 25-year-old midfielder told the club website: “It’s amazing to think I could reach that number. There has been a bit of a race because Lauren Haynes is about two games behind, but it’s a nice little landmark and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s my local side and I have been here since I was 10 or 11 – I started out playing for my local boys’ team because my brother played for them and I thought it looked like fun.

“There are far more ways for girls to get involved now and the development path within the club is really clear now.

“If some of those young girls keep progressing and get into the first team then I think that’s a massive thing for us and if I can be some sort of example for them by playing 100 senior games then that’s fantastic.”

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Baker, who has scored six goals and made five assists this season, added: “I was patient on my journey to becoming a first team player and having been here for so long, I understand the standard the club requires and I aim to show that every time I play and train.

“Sunday will be great, but only if we win. It’s going to be a tough game but we are in a fantastic position at the moment and it’s up to us to keep winning, keep improving, and see how far we can go.”

The U’s are unbeaten at home this season and welcome strugglers Chichester & Selsey to Court Place Farm.

Manager Liam Gilbert said: “It will be a hard game for us. We lost a game to the weather so we need to make sure we keep the same sort of rhythm going that we had before Christmas.

“Chichester will come and fight for everything so it will be tough but we have done really well at home all season and we are really looking forward to it.”

On Baker, Gilbert added: “Sophie is a fantastic person and a great role model for the young players we have here.

“She has been with us a long time, she has worked so hard and it’s a fantastic milestone for her.

“You look at Lauren Haynes who will also pass 100 games soon, and there are one or two more not far behind, and it just underlines the continuity that we have and that this current set-up has been allowed to develop and to grow together.”