Rutherford’s strike keeps Lionesses top of the league

Millwall 1 – Oxford Utd. 0

Millwall top the table as they continued their unbeaten start to their FA Women’s Super League 2 season with a win over Oxford United at St Paul’s Sports Ground.

The hosts made a bright start to the match and were rewarded for their early pressure with the opening goal inside 10 minutes.

After linking up well with Rianna Dean, Rutherford’s long-range effort crept beyond visiting keeper Demi Lambourne.

Ellis Hillman tried to respond immediately for Oxford, but her low shot was comfortably saved.

Millwall should have doubled their lead in the second half when Charlie Devlin sent Dean clear, but Lambourne rushed out to save well.

Chloe Chivers then dragged a shot wide from Kayleigh Hines’ lofted through-ball for Oxford, who upped the pressure as the game progressed.

Dean wasted another chance, sending a weak shot wide of the far post after pinball in the box.

Emily Allen should have hit the target after latching onto a loose ball 18 yard out, but failed to trouble the keeper.

With just minutes to go Dean should have wrapped the game up but was denied by a fine save, before Ellie Mason hammered the crossbar from a tight angle as Millwall secured a tight win.

Dean said: “It’s a really good result for us. In the first half our aim was just to not concede in the first 10 minutes because we knew it would be tough as we’re both going for the top.

“Getting the early goal really helped us and we kept digging and digging we maintained our level and got the win.

“We could have won it 3-0 or lost it 2-1, we had some great chances but their keeper pulled off some great saves. At the moment we are unlucky in front of goal. It could have gone either way but we got the lucky goal.”

Millwall (4-4-2): Sarah Quantrill, Megan Alexander, Leanne Cowan, Leighanne Robe, Georgie Giddings, Ellie Mason, Bonnie Horwood, Ella Rutherford, Charlie Devlin, Ashlee Hincks, Rianna Dean. Substitutes: Megan Wynne for Rutherford 60, Leigh Nicol for Horwood 66, Brionne Fowle for Devlin 82, Substitutes not used: Grace Taylor, Billie Brooks, Viki Wotton, Jordan Butler, Bookings: Red Cards: Attendance: 217

• England face Bosnia & Herzegovina in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Walsall FC on November 24. Kick-off is 7.05pm. To buy tickets (£10 Adult/£1 Under-18) go to www.thefa.com/tickets.