Sunderland 0 - 1 Southampton
Eppelton Colliery Welfare Ground | Goalscorer: Katie Wilkinson | Attendance: 585
The mighty Saints headed 325 miles back to the North East, on Sunday to face the Lasses, in a game in which ended in the same outcome as the reverse fixture played back at St Marys in October. With a recorded attendance of 585, it was great to see a chunk of that number being Saints supporters with a majority, who braved the 650 mile round trip and an unearthly hour 3am coach pick up. Even the coach drivers thought we were having a laugh. We made a good time, however, slept on the coach, our drivers ensuring we had breakfast and arrived in good time to Hetton-Le-Hole. The return journey was just as good and I’m sure that everyone that everyone that travelled can agree on one thing, that it was a great time and very much worth the travel.
With the momentum flowing from the previous game against Palace the supporters were once again severed up a scintillating game of high intensity, pressured moves which was
accompanied with a slickness and speed from both teams that meant a thrilling end to end game of football. With the supporters being able to watch from the surrounding fence it was great to be able to hear as well as see the action unfold. The constant singing of our fans being heard around the ground, spurring our girls on was also great to hear!!
Us supporters who made the trip would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Marieanne,
Martina and the team, as we were getting on the coach, we were met with a lovely surprise of pizza and drinks which didn’t half go down a treat. Thank you!! Please know this, wherever the team go, you can always count on us to follow and more importantly, #BringTheNoise!!!
Sunderland played well on Sunday and gave us a pretty tough battle! I noticed how instead of playing the ball along the floor or through, they opted for the over the top approach in hopes it meets a running player. Sunderland are quite a physically strong side and gave us a tough battle throughout the match, particularly in the midfield area. They also made Kayla make a few critical saves which she did, thankfully, can always trust our super keeper! Fortunately, we ended up bagging a goal and breaking the deadlock in the 79th minute securing us the win!
First half
The first half started with an urgency of quick, fluid passing from the get go making for an
intense brilliant watch of end to end chances, created by both team. The first chance of the
match come in the 10th minute from the Lasses, a pass back from Rosie saw Raff miss the pass and let it sail past her, she did manage to get back in control and in front of the
Sunderland player, who I believe fouled
her, allowing Ejupi to collect the ball
and square it to Emily Scarr who
somehow managed to miss a perfect
opportunity, though Kayla running
towards her made her panic, great
goalkeeping! The next chance came 6
minutes after the Sunderland chance,
where Beer denied Megan C a tap in,
with good build up play led to this
chance which was created through the middle, ending in Megan W squaring it in to Megan C
who was running to the far post to attempt to tap it in. Lucia Kendall was next to have a chancein the 22nd minute but sadly, it was blocked by the Sunderland defence.
The 26th minute saw Kelly test Kayla, she took a long range shot which was heading for the
bottom left corner but Kayla was there to save it and knock it out for a corner, nothing
amounting from that corner. Lucia was back at it in the 35th minute with another cracking
chance from outside the area that sailed over just inches from the crossbar, it would have been a great goal if that went in! It is great to see Lucia back to her best, controlling forward play and taking chances at will, if the Lasses weren’t throwing their bodies to block she could have had a few. The last chance of the half was a quick double chance from the Lasses, their number 17 took the ball from Raffs feet and put it out wide, it was then crossed into the box with a player waiting by the far post, Ella Morris saved this one with her head and put it back into play. Paige tried clearing but didn’t manage to make its way out the box and was collected by their number 17 who took a light shot but was met with a back heel from another Lass which was safely saved by Kayla.
Second half
Second half come around and we continued how we started, although the play did start to open up more between both teams and noticeably more so when Sunderland started to tire . One thing that has to be mentioned is the Sunderland players love to complain, A LOT and are very vocal! First chance of the game come within 5 minutes of the second half starting, Sophia looked to be clear on goal before being parted with the ball on the touch line. The deadlock was almost broken as we got into the 55 the minute mark, with a chance from Sunderland where a crossed ball into the box landed at the feet of Brown at the back post but our number 1, Kayla was there to safely collect and deny their chance. The match began to intensify between both teams with scrappy tackles flying in here and there, our Leeta was caught by a late challenge which saw a card and stop in play so that she could retrieve treatment, not to worry though Peplow, took one for the team by catching Holmes in turn
two minutes later.
The 66th minute saw a change for the Saints with Wynne and Sophia going off to be replaced by Ella P and Wilko!
The Lasses started to tire so we did what we do best in kicking it up a gear and really started to press Sunderland,
getting the ball into the red zone on numerous occasions.
Ella P’s first chance was ruled offside after Wilko put the ball forward to her. Minutes later another chance by Ella P was broken down as a heavy touch from her saw an out running keeper collect it. With the pressure building in this half began forcing mistakes from the Lasses which gave our
team more space and an opportunity to take the lead.
During Wilkos warm up before that match started, A young supporter who had travelled up on the coach, equipped with a beautifully hand made sign, caught her eye, the message saying “ Katie Wilkinson can I please have your shirt” on one side and the other side said “ I’ve been travelling since 3am please score a goal for me”. Just like that in the 79th minute, Wilko duly obliged and broke the deadlock after a cross into the box from Lucia was blocked by a Sunderland defender which rebounded to the feet of Wilko who slotted it into the net.
A second nearly come minutes later after Wilko shot rattled
the crossbar! The match ended and we came out victorious! 3 points in the bag and a 650 mile round trip well worth it!
Katie, galvanised by Abbie Spooners sign, scored the winning goal and did not disappoint, her match shirt willingly handed over. It’s the things you love to see!
Player of the match
Your voted ‘Player of the match’ for Sundays match against Sunderland is a joint tie between Megan Collett and Lucia Kendall!! To be honest, both Lucia & Megan didn’t stop working Sunday. Lucia was threatening throughout the whole game and a number of her passes led to one, even taken chances herself!
Lucia didn’t stop once and kept going at their defence constantly.
Megan was getting battered and bruised
throughout the game but she got back up and just kept going. A very strong a quality performance from her yesterday! She’s a great footballer and being only 17 I can’t wait to see her develop even further!
Congratulations Megan and Lucia on a deserved Player Of The Match & well done to the whole team who put in such a good team performance, grabbing those 3 points and a clean sheet!
Team sheet
Sunderland Southampton
Highlights of the game
Shannon Stephen
Comments