OXFORD United Women progressed into the fourth round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup after a convincing victory in icy conditions.
Lily Stevens and Leah Burridge scored in the first half, with Daisy McLachlan sealing the 3-0 win against Plymouth Argyle.
Stevens put United ahead at Court Place Farm with just five minutes played, when she slotted home from inside the box.
Sarah King almost scored a second goal minutes later, however Jasmine Read tipped the winger’s ferocious effort onto the bar.
McLachlan nearly produced a moment of magic when she juggled the ball over two defenders, but put too much on her half-volleyed effort.
The U’s had Rose Kite to thank that they retained their one-goal advantage when the goalkeeper denied Georgia Wilson with five minutes of the first half to play.
Wilson broke through one-on-one, but Kite made herself big to block the effort.
It would prove to be a key moment as United attacked at the other end, and doubled their lead.
McLachlan fed Burridge, who slid in to get a toe on the ball and tuck it underneath Read.
A postponement for #oufc and late goals elsewhere saw the U’s drop a couple of places in League Onehttps://t.co/075pGXZLXf
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 11, 2022
The visitors came out flying in the second half, as Wilson and Charlotte Whitmore both went close, but Kite remained unbeaten.
In the 65th minute, Georgia Hayes came on for her first appearance of the season, as she replaced Jess Gray.
United soaked up the Plymouth pressure, and had chances of their own to put the game to bed.
Shelly Provan sliced a volley wide from 10 yards out with the goal wide open.
The full back was undeterred by her miss though, driving down the left to create the third goal of the afternoon.
With 68 minutes on the clock, Provan played the ball into the box, with Iesha Swaby getting to the pass first.
Swaby teed the ball up for McLachlan, who curled home into the bottom right corner.
The U’s made a raft of changes as they coasted to a victory which sets up a potential tie against a Women’s Super League side.
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Manager Liam Gilbert said: “Some of the football we played, you can see a massive progression in our understanding of our identity, which was really positive to see.
“It was really good to see how patient we were and how much we recycled the ball.
“We went searching at times in the second half and it left us a bit exposed.
“They’re very quick on the counter-attack and got in a couple of times, and Rose made some big saves, which if they go in, it’s a different cup tie.”
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