Even with the new structure of the women’s game, there are still gaps in the season. This was Durham’s first game for three weeks and that forces them to play friendlies like they did against Middlesbrough during the week. I believe that Durham Women could well win the WSL2 Spring Series should things go their way. Durham are a club who do things the right way on and off the field. On the pitch, the development of the side from their first season in the WSL has been steady but good. They are recognised as one of the best sides in WSL2 now whereas three years ago they will have been seen as one of the lesser sides. The girls play some attractive football too. They try to keep the ball on the floor and play one touch football despite it being difficult against a rather route one Oxford side today.

Match report:

Ness strikes late as Durham defeat Oxford United

Zoe Ness’ 87th minute winner saw Durham come from behind to beat Oxford United on Sunday afternoon.

Ellie Noble fired the visitors into a 47th minute lead but Durham responded through Beth Hepple who prodded home from close range and Ness’ winner came only three minutes from time.

The win sees Durham regain their spot at the top of the league while Oxford United remain ninth with only two points.

Durham manager Lee Sanders made one change from the draw at Watford three weeks ago with Ellie Christon coming in to replace Jen Jennings.

The Wildcats started brightly with Ness, Hepple and Emily Roberts all involved in promising early moves.

Despite looking dangerous from the off, it was in the 11th minute when Durham created a first real chance. Annabel Johnson burst down the wing to find Ness whose crossed found Nat Gutteridge but the former Sunderland midfielder couldn’t find the target with an awkward effort.

Oxford’s first chance came only a minute later as Emily Donovan beat the offside trap to race down on goal but she could only shoot wide when looking to lob Rachael Laws.

Halfway through the first half, Christon did well to find room to cross and the full-back picked out Ness who firing narrowly over the crossbar.

Another chance fell the way of the Wildcats only two minutes later when Jordan Atkinson did well to cross but Gutteridge could only poke wide from close-range.

Further pressure was to come from Durham as Sarah Wilson, Hepple, Ness and Atkinson linked up to feed Christon but her shot was well saved by Demi Lambourne.

Imi Umotong, who was WSL2 top scorer last season with 13 league goals, tried her luck from long-range but it failed to trouble Laws in the Durham goal.

Hepple fired a dipping effort narrowly over with the last chance of the first half and despite playing some promising football, Durham were unable to find a first half breakthrough.

Oxford took what would be considered a shock lead only two minutes into the second half.  Noble collected the ball around 25 yards from goal and fired a relatively weak effort which Laws looked to have covered but it somehow crept into the bottom corner.

The goal spurred Durham into life but Oxford could have doubled their lead only three minutes later when Umotong was played in but a fine save from Laws prevented her.

Knowing things needed to change, Durham stepped up their game and could have pulled level through a fine individual effort from Roberts. The former Doncaster Rovers Belles forward beat three players before on a fine run before her low shot rippled the side-netting.

Hepple went close again before the England Under-20 international pulled Durham level with just over half an hour to play. Atkinson drilled a low ball across the face of goal and it eventually dropped to Hepple who was able to poke home from close-range.

A quiet spell followed with injuries to Gutteridge and Wilson both halting play but a great chance could have seen the U’s regain their lead. Umotong was played in but Laws produced a fine save and Becky Salicki was on hand to clear the rebound off the line.

Consistent pressure eventually told as Durham took the lead with only three minutes to play. Roberts’s cross beat a host of players before falling to Ness whose first-time strike beat Lambourne to spark scenes of joy amongst the majority of the crowd.

It was an important win for Durham who regained top spot in WSL2 in the process.

Full-time: Durham Women 2-1 Oxford United Women

Next up for me is Tow Law Town vs Easington Colliery on Tuesday.

Durham Women: Laws, Christon, Wilson (c) (Gibson, 74′), Salicki, Johnson, Gutteridge (Briggs, 67′), Lee, Hepple, Atkinson (Gears, 71′), Ness, Roberts

Unused subs: Borthwick, Dodds

Oxford United Women: Lambourne, Deeley (Roberts, 76′), Frampton (Kemp, 90′), Haynes (c), Casley, Lane, Noble, Donovan, Baker (Graham, 88′), Umotong, Gane

Unused sub: Thomas

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Attendance: 507

Programme: £2

Referee: Helen Byrne