Amelia Pereira scored a fantastic solo effort to help her side on the way to a 3-0 win over WSL2 rivals Oxford United.
The Portuguese’s skill proved too good for the Oxford defence before she smashed the ball past Demi Lambourne. That, Durham’s second of the afternoon, seemed to deflate the visitors who had wasted plenty of chances to level.
The Wildcats had made a dream start to the game when Becky Beech latched onto Jordan Atkinson’s perfectly weighted cross after just 6 minutes. A first goal for Beech since joining Durham from Hull this winter.
Oxford had the majority of the possession throughout but were unable to break down a very well organised and high-pressing Durham defence. Speaking to the official FAWSL website, Oxford boss Les Taylor lamented his sides lack of finishing.
“In the first half we probably had more possession, but we didn’t really hurt the goalkeeper. Durham had one realistic chance and they finished it.”
The away side pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half, and Lindsay Pinker saw her effort roll agonisingly wide five minutes after the break.
Helen Alderson in the Durham goal was at full stretch to deny Pinker again ten minutes later, the former Sunderland keeper getting a strong hand on the ball to tip over the curling shot.
The Oxford fight somewhat extinguished after Pereira scored her second goal in as many games. The young winger looks to be shaping up as an exciting prospect with her eye-catching trickery.
Durham went in search of a third and were almost rewarded when Beth Hepple’s 30-yard free kick swirled in the wind and cannoned off the crossbar. Captain Sarah Wilson was unable to guide the rebound home with her head.
The hosts added a late goal in stoppage time. 16-year-old substitute Courtney Corrie using her fresh legs to beat Lambourne to the loose ball, eventually nodding in from close range.
The win sees Durham move level on points with Oxford in the middle of the table, both teams now have 3 points from their opening 2 matches.
Durham manager Lee Sanders expressed his delight with the result. “It’s a great start at home for us in the league – three points, three goals, clean sheet, we have to be happy with that.”
Durham have another home fixture to look forward to next week as they host Millwall Lionesses. Meanwhile, Oxford United face a break after their home tie against Yeovil was postponed.
