Oxford United Women 0 - 4 Notts County Ladies

Notts County Ladies have risen to the top of Group Three in the FA WSL Continental Cup after seeing off a spirited Oxford United Women side 4-0 this evening at Abingdon United's ground.

The home outfit, currently bottom of the WSL2, matched the high-flying Lady Pies for certain spells of the game, but ultimately succumbed to goals by Caitlin Friend, Jess Clarke and Aileen Whelan.

Notts were quick off the starting blocks right from the start, marauding forward at every opportunity - Friend and Clarke both fired just wide in the first three minutes.

However, the home side could have got themselves on the scoresheet in the 13th minute when Laura Low dispossessed Dunia Susi before squaring to Lauren Allison, but the latter scuffed the ball wide of the post.

The Lady Pies took the lead in the 24th minute as the Oxford defence, caught out by a dangerous free-kick, allowed Friend to get inside the box and steer the ball past goalkeeper Hannah Cox.

United almost responded straight away when Jemma Connor-Iommi's free-kick cannoned back off the post, but Dunia Susi countered with an effort that soared over following a set piece of their own just minutes later.

Shortly after the restart, Notts scored a second goal, and it came courtesy of a hashed clearance - a free-kick taken by the visitors caused havoc in the box, and Sahara Osborne-Ricketts sent her clearance rebounding off Clarke and into the net.

Rachel Colsie appeared to have headed in a third for the visitors when she was first to the rebound after Cox had kept out another effort, but was denied by the offside flag.

However, the Lady Pies didn't have to wait long for the third goal, as just moments later Clarke rose high to head home from yet another dangerous Notts set piece.

The floodgates were well and truly open at this stage, and substitute Whelan, assisted by the talismanic Clarke, arrived late to power a volley into the net at the back post for goal number four.

Oxford could have scored a consolation goal in injury time, but Lauren Allison's speculative effort was not given as the referee played on, and so the final whistle blew on a 4-0 victory to the visitors, who now top their group with two wins and a draw, a point ahead of Birmingham City Ladies.