Rover Oxford Ladies stay top of South Clubs' League Division 1 after seeing off third-placed Tulse Hill 2-0 in their top-of-the-table clash at Iffley Road, writes Jon Murray.

A controlled defensive display helped bring them victory in Saturday's encounter.

Rover started well, taking the attack to Tulse Hill and very nearly took the lead from a goalmouth scramble in the first three minutes.

However, continued pressure brought the first goal. A good combination between Vicky Mankelow and Lyn Cockshott at the edge of the D led to Cockshott taking the ball to the right and firing home into the opposite corner.

Rover continued to control the game and, while Tulse Hill tried to come back, they could not penetrate.

Rover's defensive control was exemplified by the fact that goalkeeper Liz Say did not touch the ball once in the first half.

The second half saw the introduction of Lisa Deller at left wing and she made an early impact.

Having collected the ball on the left, Deller withstood a number of heavy challenges and gradually worked her way into the D.

Once there, she split the Tulse Hill defence with a precision pass which found Mankelow, who made no mistake from ten yards.

Rover went close to increasing their lead when Deller's snap shot flew just past the right-hand upright.

With 12 minutes to go, Tulse Hill started to apply more pressure and Rover struggled to clear their lines.

Say was called on to make two good saves and Rover rode the storm to secure the three points.