Billericay Town 0-6 Oxford United
By Mia Kipling
Build-up
We are in game week 19 of the FA Women’s National League, Premier Division South, at home to Oxford United.
Our number 32, Emily Mackler, makes her comeback after an injury saw her facing time on the sidelines.
The Starting Line-ups
Billericay Town – Mackler, Santiago, Morgan, Hickman, Ford, Galbally, Evans, Whitelock, Ledwidge, Ralston, Smith ©️
Oxford United – Wookey, Gibson, Provan, Wiseman, Bedeau ©️, Thompson, Sealey, Richardson, Palmer, Barker, Manders
The action
We are underway in the league clash at home after a minute's silence in memory of young Oxford United goalkeeper, Amelia Aplin.
Oxford are awarded an early free kick, Ellie Ford clears it, denying the away side.
The first corner of the game is taken by Oxford; they shoot into the box, and no one gets a head on it.
Oxford take the lead, with a goal from Holly Manders after she is one-on-one with Mackler, and she manages to slightly slip the ball past.
Mackler makes a save, blocking the away side from doubling their advantage.
Shelly Provan has a chance here for Oxford, Emily Mackler gets her hand on it and denies them again.
Thompson has Oxford's second goal of the game, after she drives into the box and gets a foot on a cross.
We have a short break in play as Oxford’s Thompson is down after a challenge; she exits the field.
Barker has a goal, slotting the ball just past Mackler.
Mackler makes two incredible saves, intercepting chances for Oxford to expand on their lead.
A free kick goes the way of Oxford and is shot over the crossbar.
Half Time – Billericay Town 0-3 Oxford United
We are back underway, with Mollie Roskilly replacing Kesley Morgan on the field.
Barrett drives down the wing, sending a cross towards the Oxford players near the box. Mackler intercepts and denies.
We are holding extremely well, denying the away side again and again.
Catarina Pita and Sienna Winslow enter the field, replacing Ellie Ford and Liz Santiago.
Mollie Roskilly clears the ball away as Oxford take a shot toward the goal.
Manders has the away side's fourth.
We make our final substitution of the game, with Ruby Gaunt replacing Tecia Ledwidge.
Barker takes a long-range shot; Mackler dives and saves.
Oxford are awarded a penalty. Palmer steps up to take it, but she shoots, and it flies over the crossbar.
Manders picks the ball up on the edge of the area, takes a shot, and Mackler gets a hand on it and brings it down.
Oxford have their fifth, Manders has her hat-trick.
Jenkins has the away side's sixth and final goal of the game.
Full Time – Billericay Town 0-6 Oxford United
After an unfortunate 6-0 loss, we end our penultimate home game here with an incredible performance from all of the girls.
With Emily Mackler finally returning after time on the sidelines, she had an incredible game, making multiple incredible saves.
We are back in league action on the 12th of April, away to Lewes for our final away game of the season.
We're back at New Lodge on the 26th of April for our final game of the season, facing Cheltenham Town.