SAM Rose demanded more from his Oxford United Women side despite a 3-1 win at home against already relegated London Bees.

First half strikes from Tash Stephens and Jenna Legg handed the U’s a 2-0 lead at the break, before Lauren Callum pulled a goal back on the hour mark.

United restored their two-goal advantage five minutes later though, thanks to Kate Wiseman.

The U’s enjoyed plenty of the ball in the early stages, and took the lead after quarter of an hour, when Stephens, making her first start since rejoining the club last month, slotted past Amber Webber in the Bees goal.

Leading scorer Zoe Barratt went close six minutes later, with her shot deflected away by Webber.

The lead was then doubled on the half-hour mark, when Legg seized upon a loose back pass and rifled the ball into the top corner.

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The Bees pulled a goal back when Callum found the net from inside United’s penalty box, but the hosts found a quick response when Wiseman, on as a substitute, ran into the area and smashed the ball home.

Another substitute, Lacy-Jai Liggett, made a run down the wing, but her shot from a tight angle came back off the post.

The U’s were forced to see out the game with 10 players after Shelly Provan had to go off injured, and with all the substitutes having been used.

United though completed the job to secure their third consecutive victory.

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Rose however felt his team could’ve been better both in and out of possession.

He said: “It was an interesting game, and I thought we made hard work of it, if I’m honest.

“I’m not normally critical, but I just thought we needed to be better with and without the ball, and play with more intensity.

“We’ve won the game, and credit to the opposition, they’ve had their relegation confirmed, but you couldn’t tell.

“The way they went about it made it difficult, and they played some good football. For spells, they were the better team.

“I’m glad we won, but I think overall, we needed to be better than we were.”

Rose added: “There are always positives out of a game, but I just thought that moving forward, we want to hold ourselves to higher standards regardless of who we’re playing.

“The players are going to be a little bit frustrated with themselves and each other, and sometimes that’s how football is.”

Legg said: “It was a struggle in the second half. We made it difficult for ourselves in the last 20 minutes. It was a little bit scrappy and we lost our way a bit, but a win’s a win.”