Peterborough United Women continued their preparations for the new campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United at the MGroup Stadium.
Oxford set their stall out early, and on 18 minutes, they opened the scoring when the United midfielder came into traffic, moving the ball onto her left foot and slotting past Nieve Corry.
A short while later, Corry was up to the mark, this time getting down low to deny a drive from distance. With the game continuing to hang in the balance, Renai Bennett looked to pull her side level, setting her sights on goal after the ball was knocked free to the midfielder, but her effort was blocked.
Jake Poole made several changes at the interval, one of which was enforced as goalkeeper Neive Corry was forced off with an injury.
Evie Driscoll-King – who replaced Corry between the sticks – was unable to prevent the U's from extending their lead as the striker nodded the ball into an empty net.
The U’s continued to work a shooting angle, coming close twice in quick succession, striking the frame of the goal in the process.
While Poole’s side continued to break down the masked ranks of yellow shirts, Niamh Reynolds and Lauren Wilshaw both had opportunities to pull one back, with the latter striking at the Oxford ‘keeper.
Driscoll-King made two good saves to prevent the home side adding a third goal, but it proved to be a useful exercise for Posh as they were tested by a side who have just gone full-time.
First half line-up: Corry, Pitt, Connor, Osker, James, Driscoll-King, Hines, Clarke, Stanford, Bennett, Rousseau.
Second half line-up: Driscoll-King, Sharpe, James, Osker, Connor, Mears, Hines, Wilshaw, Meli, Reynolds, Kirk. Subs used: Perkins, Brown.
Half-time: Oxford United Women 1-0 Posh Women
Full-time: Oxford United Women 2-0 Posh Women