The Hamlet secure their first victory of pre-season after a six-goal thriller against a young Oxford United Development Side.

By Jatin Guntupalli

Despite the scorching heat during this game, it did not stop the Hamlet from turning up the heat as they produced a brilliant performance against a young Oxford United Development side, coming from behind to earn victory for the first time this preseason.

It was nearly the perfect start as Madi Parsonson found herself with plenty of space to attack the final third but her effort just edged past the post, but this initial attack set the tone for the rest of the game. The hosts went on the offensive early and looked destined to be the first to open the scoring between the two sides.

However, Oxford landed a sucker punch as old troubles haunted Hamlet as a lofted effort was just high enough to evade the palms of Saskia Reeves-Priestly and land in the back of the net. Despite an energetic start, it was 1-0 to the opponents in the 5th minute.

It wasn’t long before the home side equalised as the Oxford line once again allowed easy passage for them to break through, as Rebecca May found herself with clear sight of the goal and placed her shot past the Oxford keeper to bring this game level with only 10 minutes on the clock.

After the electric start, the game began to become a battle of the midfield as both sides aimed to gain a control of the game, with plenty of great technical play on display, but very little action for either keeper to act on in the blazing heat.

However in the 30th minute, it was the Hamlet who turned a passage of play into a meaningful chance, and it gave them the lead for the first time during the game. It was a carbon copy of the Oxford goal as Anna Jowle lofted an effort too high for the Oxford keeper.

Just a minute later, the home side extended their advantage as when pressing high up the field, the ball found its way to May, who was free to pounce on a chance to extend the lead to 3-1.

After the flurry of goals, the game returned to a battle of technical ability but nothing to test either keeper. The Hamlet were looking the more comfortable of the sides as they aimed to take the sting out of the game, whilst their opponents looked for a way back into this game.

It took until the 54th minute for the game to produce another key moment, as the Development side unleashed a great effort from the edge of the box to bring them back into the game and reduce the deficit. Both sides continued to battle as the game headed into the final stages.

After some resolute defending from both sides, it was the Hamlet who found a chance to put this game to bed once and for all as the Oxford keeper brought down a player in the box. It was up to Rhea Gall to take it and she duly dispatched it, sealing the side's first victory of pre-season in the process. Attentions now turn to our next friendly on Thursday night against London Seaward.