Southampton FC Women 2 – 1 Durham
Snows Stadium | Attendance; 1,356 | Goalscorers; Rianna Dean x2, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle
Last Sunday, Saints welcomed Durham to the Snows Stadium, for their seventh match in the Championship. To say that this was a very physical and tough battle is an understatement. An attendance of 1,356 made their way through the turnstiles, to cheer on the girls to victory, seeing Rianna Dean not only score her first goal in a Saints shirt, but also score her first brace!!
After a very action-packed week, we were left wanting more, and more is definitely what we received. The momentum built from the 2-0 win over Watford and then beating Bristol on penalties, definitely carried on over to the Durham match, long may that momentum continue to this coming weekend. We were strong, quick at closing them down in the first 20 minutes, but we seemed to back off a little after we scored the 1st goal, which allowed the Durham to play their game and become more dominant, this allowed them to get their goal in the 45th minute.
I noticed that Durham relied on their long balls a lot too, just like Bristol did on the Wednesday. night last week.
To be quite honest, we weren’t exactly playing our game in the first half, allowing Durham to play theirs, we may have scored both goals and turned it around, but the second half was a whole lot better, even if we didn’t score. We were closing them down a lot quicker, winning back possession and were looking to push forward with every attack. The determination, grit and perseverance these girls showed was brilliant to see, long May it continue; we truly have a team that are capable of reaching the top.
After a long week with 3 matches, one being played with 10 players for half the match, another gritty performance in awful conditions on Wednesday, with the added emotional up and downs of a penalty shootout. Sometimes you just have to knuckle down and grind out a win.
I’ve noticed in this and also recent matches, that whatever team Marieanne plays it’s never a weak one, we look at the lineup and our first thought is always, “strong team”. The players that come on off the bench, come on and play like they’ve been on the pitch since the start, we have a team that know what they’re doing and a team who work together to get the job done, just like Bob the Builder.
Although, we have missed natural defensive mid in Alice and Chloe, having them both back will be a massive help when we take on these more physical sides, we’ve just got to hope they don’t get injured. Pep coming on in Sunday's match, allowed Molly to push forward and do the magic things that we know she can do.
Before moving on, I just need to make a comment on Rianna, we’ve only seen her a couple of times since her coming back from injury, but the match she played on Sunday was second to none. She has a different skill set to the other forward we have in our ranks (who are still absolutely amazing) and even though she made the first goal look easy, it was anything but and it just goes to show her true poacher's style, one in which we were lacking last season. I feel that keeping her fit will be key to us maintaining our momentum.
First half
The first half we came out on the front foot, we were quick and fast, this is what led to the first goal within 20 minutes. Unfortunately, after this goal was when we kind of stepped back and allowed Durham to play their game, which saw them equalise. There were some really good moments this half, as well as some nervy with Durham coming close a few times.
The first chance came from a pass from Lucia in the middle, out to Ella M on the wing, she crossed it into the box which Rianna Dean got her head too, but the ball settled straight into the keeper's hands. Saints again were next with the chance, this one led to a goal! Lexi put a stunning through ball which Ella ran onto and into the box, Ella took a shot which was saved by their keeper, not to worry though as Rianna was there to put it away! Her first goal in the mighty red and white!
The next chance was a Durham chance, their player in the middle-put a through ball for Noonan to run onto, she took a shot from just inside the box, but Kayla was there to save it. The first time Kayla was properly tested. Durham was again on the attack, Lambert crossed it in from the edge of the box and somehow the ball stayed out and was cleared and put out for a goal kick. Durham yet again with an attack, this one rattled the cross bar and rebounded out to eventually be cleared.
The next chance was Durhams dubious goal, a cross was volleyed into the area, allowing RyanDoyle to put it into the net. Jemma dummied a Durham player on the wing before running it to just outside the are where she took a shot, the ball was blocked but picked up by Rianna whose shot was put out for a corner. This corner led to a goal, Sophia played the corner short to Molly Pike, Molly then pinpointed Rianna in the area and crossed it in, Rianna volleyed that ball home and bagged her brace!!! Half time 2-1 Southampton!
Second half
The second half was a battle from both sides, Saints was a battle to get one more to ensure they’re safe from another equaliser and Durhams was a battle to get another goal to equalise.This was a quicker half for Saints, we seemed to close down a lot quickert his half.
The first chance of this half was a Saints chance, Durham was passing it around at the back which saw Pep disposes their player, Molly Pike then picked it up and passed it to Rianna, she was fouled but the keeper and was awarded a penalty. She stepped up, composed and ready to get her hattrick, she struck a powerful ball into the bottom left half corner which saw Durhams keeper make a brilliant save.
Another Saints chance come from our
corner, we played it short again, Jemma tried crossing it but didn’t achieve much height, it rebounded off their Durham player and back to Molly. Molly crossed it along the goal line to be picked up in the box, Paige Peake took a shot, but it was saved.
The match ended and Saints beat Durham 2-1, leaving them 1st place in the table on15 points!!
Player of the match
The supporters groups voted ‘Player of the
match’ for todays game against Durham is none other than Rianna Dean🤩
Rianna had a very strong performance today and really played her part in the team. Not only did she score her first ever goal for Saints, she scored two!! Poaching efforts! She held and run the line and also bought others into the game!
Well played and Congratulations on ‘Player Of The Match’ Rianna❤️🤍
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