Durham FC Women 1 – 0 Southampton FC Women Maiden Castle | Goal scorers – Amy Andrews
Last Sunday, Saints headed all the way up north to an extremely windy Maiden Castle, to face Durham in the league. A very decent attendance of Saints fans made the 616-mile journey up north to support the girls, to see that many make the journey, be it by plane or by car, is a testament to growing positive atmosphere and momentum, that is building around the team, it truly is wonderful and lovely to see.
First things first the wind on Sunday was literally blowing us away, how they let the game play on when the ball was being kicked and stopped by the wind, or if it went in the air no doubt it was going out, watch your heads everyone! The wind, although annoying, was really troubling for both sets of teams, so there was no advantage for anyone, and they both just had to work with it.
Throughout the game, in my opinion Saints looked to be more dominant, we were the better team, again it was just our final third finishing again, we’re just not clinical enough in the final third to put those all-important balls into the back of the net. Our movement was also good during the match but then Durham was also good at the intercepting and blocking the ball.
Apart from the very obvious diving that was happening very close to us, Durham really was not giving much. I also must say that the ref was being extremely pinicky with her officiating, although that is a good thing because she was playing some things by the book. Ball didn’t go out there? She’s making sure you’re in the right spot and will get you to move.
Towards the end of the match this was when Durham started to get livelier nod in the dying minutes of the second half, they had a quick attack and break through our defence which saw them break the deadlock and take the points.
First half
The first half started as it meant to go on, Saints being the dominant side with disruption by the wind a lot of the time. The first chance came early in the half with Durham getting on the end of a loose ball, they passed to Noonan who then tried to chip our Beth in the 3rd minute of the match, luckily it was carried by the wind and went wide.
Saints were next with the shot in the 11th minute, the shot came from a very long range shot by Wilko which was either very light, or the wind slowed it down, either way the keeper safely saved it.
Saints again with the next chance and this time Alice Griffiths was the one trying her luck, a lovely corner by Molly Pike met the head of Alice but the keeper was there to save the day, whilst head butting her own player. Looking back tho was a very quiet half with not much to go from, both sides not getting many chances, the wind playing its part in that I’d say.
Second half
The second half started and again it was Durham who was there to kick the half off with a chance. Lucia tried passing the ball out wide, but it was picked up by Poppy Pritchard, she passed it to Molly Lambert who then who squared it to Lauren Briggs, she pulled the trigger but thankfully the ball went over the bar.
The 78th minute come around and Saints had some new fresh legs on the pitch, in hopes it would make a change and it very nearly did! Paige Peake put a ball into the box which Emily Kraft got on the end of, unfortunately she didn’t make a clean connection and the ball slowly made its way to their keeper's hands. The 85th minute and Saints were applying the pressure, Rianna ran to the by line and put a sweet ball into the area, Paige with an open goal in front of her, sadly didn’t connect her head with the ball and it flew past her.
In the 95th minute
Durham broke free with a quick attack through our defence which saw May Andrews break the deadlock allowing Durham to finish the match and walk away with the 3 points.
Player of the match
Well, this is a new one!!
The supporter's groups voted ‘Player of the match’ for Sunday's match against Durham is none other than the fans and families who travelled all that way to support the girls🤩
The 10 hours round trip was no worry for those travelling fans and they withstood the battering high winds to watch this team play yesterday, it may not have been the result we wanted but we spurred those girls on from the stands as loud as we could!
Exceptional support!
Line up
Substitutes
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