Lewes 1 – 4 Southampton
Dripping Pan | Goalscorer’s; Hollie Olding, Katie Wilkinson, Molly Pike & Ella Morris | Attendance: 908
Last Sunday, Saints travelled east to face Lewes at the Dripping Pan for their first game of the season, boy was it a good game. An attendance of 908 made their way into the Pan, a lot of them proudly rocking their Saints shirts, I was actually surprised at how many there were! It was amazing to see to say the least. Their ground name is also very convenient because we were doing the cooking that day, with four goals ‘frying’ into the back of their net.
This the first match of the season and we weren’t sure what to expect, we knew we already had a brilliant team, but with new additions, how would it change? How would the lineup be? It took us a while to try and predict a starting 11, but Marieanne had it all figured out, what a squad and game it was to be too! The excellence in every player that stepped foot on that pitch was exceptional, our passing was brilliant, it was very quick paced, and they created some good passages of play and as time went on, we only got stronger!
We also noticed that Marieanne switched things up, from the pre-season games that we were able to see, Marieanne kept to a back 3, in the pod we all thought that would be the formation of choice. Then we saw the first 11 and we couldn’t have been more wrong! Absolutely loving this, as it means the opposition will not be able to predict our lineups. Throughout the match Marieanne used all 5 subs, all knew exactly what to do when they stepped on the pitch, it was refreshing to see all 5 being utilised effectively.
In pre-season we had played against 3 teams from the FAWNL (tier 3), one game against Palace and a test against Villa for the last pre-season match. We were unbeaten, which we loved to see, but we all know that a competitive match things can be very different and unpredictable.
For the whole 90 minutes they worked as a collective team, they knew where they needed to be, and the build-up play that led to three of the goals was nothing less than beautiful. I was very very impressed with the performance to say the least! The only thing a couple of us noticed, was that in the first half, the defence was drifting over to the left, this left their number 10 in a whole load of free space, which for some reason Lewes wasn’t executing and the number 10 was moaning about it.
It’s safe to say I’m very much looking forward to watching this season unfold, we have an extremely strong squad which we saw on Sunday, and we still haven’t unleashed the firepower from the likes of Atlanta Primus, Emily Kraft & Rianna Dean! I don’t want to jinx it, but I feel that we're going to be a force to be reckoned with! Oh, and I know it’s only 1 game in but, WE ARE TOP THE LEAGUE!
First half
The first half we started really well, we created two chances in the first ten minutes with Wilko, who had a very good match I must say, was running in on goal with Sophia on her right, she passed it through to Sophia, but it went behind. I can’t help but think if Wilko would have taken that on herself, there could possibly have been an early goal, but I love her thinking. We started to drop off the mark a little bit, which allowed Lewes to really get through us and start their attacking, with their debutant getting a cracking goal in the 21st minute.
The goal by Hollie Olding is what kickstarted us back into gear, and we put that throttle down and equalised within 3 minutes through Wilko! An attempted cross into the area by Lexi was blocked by a Lewes defender, which Molly Pike ran onto but again was deflected to the goalie who failed to reach the ball, Sophia was there and ready to retrieve and passed it back to Wilko who curled it delightfully into the net.
It didn’t stop there with Megan Collett running it down the wing and I’m not sure whether it was a shot or a cross, either way it went over, brilliant play though! It went back up the other end with Lewes having another great opportunity which Kayla got down too and safely saved after diving onto it. The 35th minute saw my favourite goal of the match; it was an impressive team goal, with one touch passing and smart crosses, that of which Chelsea would be proud of. The move started with Wilko passing it out wide to Lexi, who crossed it with pinpoint precision to Lucia in the box who volleyed it onto the head of, in the box, Sophia who headed the ball home. Honestly, the whole move is something that I have happily had on repeat, it was so so good.
Lewes reacted with an attack up the other end with a close range wide shot but was saved by our super keeper! Half time 2-1 Southampton, we love to see it!
Second half
The second half started and if you thought the first half was good the second half was even better! We made one change at the start of the half with Lexi coming off, who in my opinion had an exceptional first half, and she was replaced by Ella Morris who followed suit from Lexi. There was some really impressive football this half with a lot of amazing build up play
heading towards goal, which we’ve really done well this match. I have to give a quick shout out to Wilko who was doing well with her hold up play and going forward too!
The third goal come only 6 minutes after the whistle blew and what a goal it was! Wilko nutmegged a Lewes player which saw Jemma Purfield run onto it and towards the goal line, she pulled it back into the box which Ella Morris hooked it with her left foot, into the back of the net. What’s that? Our star girl a super sub, causing immediate impact? Love that!
She’s at it again but this time she runs it from the middle of the park out wide, produces a lovely cross into the box for Megan Collett to get on the end of, unfortunately it just sailed wide of the post. Another beautifully team worked goal comes next, Wilko collected the ball and sent it on and into the the path of a calling Molly Pike. Molly saw Ella running forward so unleashed the ball to her, she managed to get away from the Lewes defender, they didn’t learn from Ella’s goal, allowing her to pass the ball into the middle of the box for Molly to run onto and slot it in! 4-1 Southampton, we got four goals!!!
An unbelievable strike by Alice Griffiths saw the Lewes keeper pull off a spectacular save, one day one of Alice’s rockets will hit the back of the net, it’s coming I just know it!! The last ten minutes of the game saw good few attacks come from Saints, the first coming from Lucia whose shot was blocked, rebounded to Ella but again it was blocked allowing Lucia to have another crack at it which Sophie Whitehouse got her hands to it. Raff was the last one with a chance, she took a long shot which went over the bar.
The whistle blew, full time, Saints 4-1!!
There was some amazing build up play in this match and for those of us that have been watching this Marieanne Spacey-Cale's team, it’s something we enjoyed seeing throughout our journey up the leagues. With the new additions to the squad, they have brought with them some much needed strength and depth, that we need to be able to win games in this league, now to push on for promotion.
To see Spacey-Cale's team playing with such speed, skill and smart thinking, it’s been missed and it’s great to have it back.
Watch the Highlights
Player of the match
Your voted ‘Player of the match’ for last Sunday's match against Lewes, and on her league debut is none other than Molly Pike🤩
Molly had an amazing game in the middle of the park & also whenever she was needed! What we noticed of her in pre-season shone in a league match and she was very dangerous going forward! Not only that, but she was also good with her ball control and quick thinking passing to keep the ball moving! She also scored a lovely goal😍
We think she is going to be one to watch and we are very excited for the season to come!
Well played and Congratulations on ‘Player of the Match’ Molly!!
Lineup
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