Poole Hat-Trick Seals Victory
Phoebie Poole stole the show as her hat-trick guided Oxford United Women to a hard-fought 3-0 victory over Gwalia United in a gripping encounter.
Gwalia started brightly, controlling possession in the early exchanges, but it was Oxford who struck first in the eighth minute. A superb through ball split the defence, and while Laura O’Sullivan-Jones did well to deny the initial effort, Poole was on hand to tap home the rebound.
The hosts responded well and fashioned several opportunities, the best of which fell to Kylie Nolan, who fired over from close range. Manon Pearce also went close, her effort narrowly missing the target as Gwalia pushed for an equaliser.
Oxford’s lead remained intact at the break, but Gwalia continued to ask questions in the second half. The visitors, however, doubled their advantage in the 68th minute when Poole shrugged off her marker and rifled a stunning strike into the top corner.
Gwalia’s misfortune was compounded in the 77th minute as Poole completed her hat-trick in fortuitous fashion. Her initial effort struck the post before ricocheting off O’Sullivan-Jones and into the net. The Oxford forward almost added a fourth with a spectacular bicycle kick late on, but her effort flew just over the bar.
The clinical finishing of Poole proved the decisive factor as the visitors claimed all three points.
