CAPTAIN Kat Nutman marked her return from injury with a goal as Oxford United Women extended their winning run to three matches with a 2-0 victory over Watford.

Nutman netted the second goal at Abingdon United’s Northcourt Road after recovering from an ankle injury and was delighted to make her mark in the FA Women’s Super League 2 encounter..

“I was happy to score a goal for the team, obviously,” she said.

“They don’t come around that often for me, so it’s always nice to get my name on the scoresheet.

“But most importantly, it’s three points going into the break and a clean sheet again.”

The match was only three minutes old when Ini Umotong put the U’s in front, notching her fifth goal of the season when Holly Pickett blocked goalkeeper Sophie Cheadle’s clearance for the striker to tap in from point-blank range.

Giulia Ferrandi almost responded immediately for the visitors, clipping the bar with an ambitious long-range effort.

But Oxford were rarely troubled as they went on to dominate the half.

Nutman grabbed the second goal after half an hour, racing on to Rosie Lane’s long ball forward before calmly slotting into the bottom corner.

And they should have had a third before the break, with referee Kieran Bailey rushing to blow for a foul on Ella Franklin-Fraiture as Pickett curled a delightful effort past a helpless Cheadle.

United were unable to add to their tally after the interval, with Lauren Allison volleying wide moments before Umotong dragged an effort just past the post.

It took until the 81st minute for Watford to test goalkeeper Hannah Cox, with former Oxford winger Katie Stanley forcing a save with a speculative drive from distance.

But United’s victory rarely looked in doubt as they confirmed a third straight clean sheet.