Ipswich Town’s search for a first league win in the city of Oxford will continue until at least January 2023, with the Tractor Girls drawing 1-1 against league leaders Oxford United at Court Place Farm earlier this afternoon.
The Blues, whose senior men’s and women’s teams have never won in the league in Oxford, made one enforced change to the lineup which beat Crawley Wasps 3-0 at the AGL Arena the previous week, Maddie Biggs coming in for Freya Godfrey with the latter being away with England U19s.
Following a cagey first few minutes, the U’s started to carve out control of the game, Ipswich struggling to find their rhythm and on 17 minutes Lacy Liggett received the ball in the area and in plenty of space was able to calmly slot the ball past Blues keeper Sarah Quantrill to put the hosts 1-0 up via the first real chance of the game.
Oxford continued to control the game, pressing high when out of possession and affording the Tractor Girls few chances to get beyond the halfway line, while having several speculative efforts towards Town’s goal. On 20 minutes, a late challenge in the Blues’ half earned Biggs the first booking of the game.
The match came to life on 28 when Abbie Lafayette played a neat pass to Anna Grey (pictured) on the left-wing. Grey made one of her trademark lung-busting runs into the box before her shot ended up in the back of the Oxford net via a slight deflection to level the score.
Shortly after the goal Town were forced into an early change. Maria Boswell, who had started the game with her thigh taped up, was replaced by youngster Megan Wearing with the defender applying ice to her leg immediately after leaving the pitch.
The unexpected equaliser seemed to wake up Ipswich, who looked to seize on the momentum with repeated forays down Oxford’s right with goalscorer Grey looking a constant threat on the ball.
The U’s were not out of the contest, however, looking sharp on the counter. Liggett almost put her side back in front on 40 minutes, but was only able to shoot wide.
Two minutes later, Summer Hughes managed to force a corner with the ball flying out of play and knocking a spectator’s drink flying, to the general mirth of both home and away fans.
The second half was more of a cagey affair with both teams having spells of dominance and Grey continuing to be a creative outlet on the left for Ipswich. On 67 minutes, she picked up the second Town booking of the game for dissent, having petulantly held onto the ball following the home side winning what seemed a soft free-kick on the halfway line.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes both sides were showing signs of fatigue with Oxford searching for a late winner.
Following a stoppage for Eloise King to receive treatment, the midfielder was replaced on 84 minutes by Nia Evans.
Grey made her final contribution to the game by bursting through the middle of the U’s defence only to shoot over, before being replaced by Elizabeth Way a few minutes later, prior to the referee bringing an end to proceedings with the scores level.
Town manager Joe Sheehan will undoubtedly be pleased with taking a point from the division’s top team, Ipswich having been beaten both home and away by Oxford last season, but disappointed not to have gained ground on the U’s despite his side moving to fourth in the table.
Ipswich now have a weekend off before returning to action in Felixstowe on 23 October when they host mid-table side MK Dons.
Town: Quantrill, Boswell (Wearing 31), O Smith, Lafayette, Hughes, Horwood, King (Evans 84), Grey (Way 87), Brasero-Carreira, Biggs, Thomas. Unused Subs: Meollo, Mitchell. Attendance: 243.