Oxtoby rues lack of clinical edge.

Two goals in either half from the visitors saw Everton claim all three points on Sunday afternoon and the Australian believes the areas for improvement can be fixed on the training pitch.

“If you break down the performance itself, the shape was good but it was disappointing to concede off two set pieces - one being second phase from a corner and the other a penalty,” said Oxtoby. 

“There were some really good parts there, certainly bits to improve on but they’re well in our control. 

“The second goal was offside having looked at the replay, which is very disappointing as it changes the momentum of the game, 2-0 down is very different to 1-0.”

The Robins had a number of players in the squad returning to competitive action after long stints on the sideline through injury, and Oxtoby believes it will take time to build confidence in the final third.

“We were quite compact behind the ball and we wanted to encourage them to come out to then counter, I thought we did that well but our final third needs some work. 

“You look at the opportunities they took and you look at the ones we created, we didn’t. I guess that is what that extra bit of quality and experience gets you, and that’s our job now to develop our players so they get that confidence in the final third and finish opportunities off. 

“I think it would be more disappointing if we weren’t creating those opportunities, so that’s the pleasing thing for me.”

City Women’s schedule does not ease up, their next game sees them travel to Kingsmeadow to take on Barclays FAWSL Champions, Chelsea before welcoming Arsenal to Twerton Park following the two-week break. 

“It’s definitely a marathon and not a sprint. Our first three games are a tough as they come in Everton, Chelsea and then Arsenal. 

“We need to use those opportunities to really challenge ourselves and get as many minutes under our belts as possible. 

“Am I over the moon with the result, no, but there are some real positives to take into next week and what better way to test yourself than against one of the best teams in Europe.”