Oxford United Ladies reach Super League short-list (From Herald Series)

Oxford United Ladies reach Super League short-list

9:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in Football By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

OXFORD United Ladies are in the running to join an expanded Women’s Super League (WSL) next year.

The club are among a group of 33 which will be considered for the revamped 2014 competition.

It will turn the existing eight-team tournament, featuring the best women’s sides in the country, into two divisions containing a total of 18-20 clubs.

A final decision will be made in June, but United Ladies’ manager Richard Blackmore is delighted to be in contention.

He said: “There is still plenty of work to do and a long way to go, but to see Oxford United Ladies in the list of clubs looking to form the new league is a great achievement.”

United’s bid has been strengthened by the form of their ladies’ first -team, who are enjoying a hugely successful season.

More than 700 people watched them beat Newcastle United on their Kassam Stadium debut last month.

The 2-1 win sent them through to the FA Women’s Cup fifth round for the first time.

Their reward is a meeting with WSL side Everton, which will be held at the Kassam on Sunday, March 17.

•  The under 17s’ run in the Girls Centre of Excellence FA Cup came to an end last weekend when they lost to Aston Villa 7-6 on penalties following a goalless draw in the quarter-final tie.