SAM Rose was delighted with the way his Oxford United Women side applied themselves as they won his first game in charge.
The U’s won 4-0 at Woodley United Ladies in the first round of the FA Cup, thanks to a couple of goals either side of half-time.
Zoe Barratt and Jenna Legg struck in the opening period, before Barratt found the scoresheet again in the second half, alongside Sarah King.
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Former Aston Villa Women assistant Rose, who was appointed on Thursday, told the United club website: “It was a job done and we’re glad to be through to the next round.
“I thought the way the team applied themselves was excellent in a difficult game on a difficult pitch. To score two goals in each half and keep a clean sheet was excellent.
“Credit to Woodley, they defended their box really well. It was like breaking down 11 players for 90 minutes and that’s difficult to do on a difficult pitch.
“It takes a certain type of character to just try and grind that team down, and I thought we did well. We played with some quality, created plenty of chances and stopped them for doing so.
“I only made a couple of changes late on in the game just to give those players that started a chance to get some minutes and I think that was the right decision.
“We know that we’re going to have much tougher games ahead of us but it’s an opportunity to see the players with my own eyes and I can’t fault them because I thought they were excellent.”
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The U’s broke the deadlock thanks to a moment of magic when Barratt turned on the edge of the area and rifled in a half-volley just before the half-hour mark.
Legg then netted her first goal for United four minutes before the break after being teed up in the box by Kate Wiseman.
After the restart, Barratt had a header saved by Sophie Measham, before Jaime Gotch fired just over from range and Wiseman curled a shot wide.
The third and fourth goals came in quick succession midway through the second half.
First, Barratt grabbed her brace when she rode a challenge on the edge of the box and picked out the bottom corner.
King then scored the pick of the bunch when she cut inside from the left-hand side and found the top right corner with an emphatic strike.
The U’s have been drawn at home to Dartford Women in the second round. The tie will be played at Court Place Farm on November 26.
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