Performance is key for Oxtoby as City Women prepare for first home game.

A week on from City picking up a point against Leicester, Oxtoby’s side welcome Sheffield United to the SGS College Stoke Gifford on Sunday and the Australian has challenged her side to bounce back in front of a home crowd. 

“We’re looking to bounce back this weekend against Sheffield United and put in a good collective team performance in front of a home crowd, if that performance is there from the group then the result will follow.

“The beauty of football is that you only have to wait seven days maximum to get back out on the pitch and play again. Whilst we managed to pick up a point last weekend, we had chances to win that game that we should have put away.

“As a group we’ve all worked really hard this week to make sure that we’re ready to start fast, and be clinical on Sunday to get the first win to kick-start our season." 

Their opponents currently sit top of Group One North in the Continental Cup and the Australian is wary of the threat they will pose having picked up confidence from a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

“Sheffield United will be a tough test for the group and they’ll be confident after a win last week against so we need to make sure we perform."

The City squad contains a host of young talent and manager Oxtoby is excited to see how they will progress this season as a collective with the training environment they have created. 

“We have a very talented young group of players and they’re learning more and more each day, not only about themselves, but also for a lot of them about their new team mates. 

“The group is building and improving week-on-week and the environment we’re creating allows for the players to push each other to get better. 

“We’re looking for a reaction this week to push our performance, get that first win and continue our development as a group, we can’t wait to get going at home on Sunday.”