This Sunday, Saints are back home at the mighty fortress we call St Marys Stadium, where they will be playing Watford in the league. The match will kick off at the usual time of 2pm!
Our first league match back after the winter break and let’s hope we kick it off as we mean to go on! Make sure you get yourself down to the ground, cheering those girls on to a hopeful victory, let’s make some noise which we know they love to hear! If unfortunately you cannot make it to the match on Sunday, it will be streamed live on Saints Play for a low price of £2.
Link to the Clubs website to purchase tickets for the match or streaming Pass. https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/match/southampton-fc-women-vs-watford-women-english-womens-championship-2024-01-21
Last time out
The last time we played Watford was back in October of last year, where we beat them 2 nil at their own ground. There was also that red card by Milly in which she really took one for the team there! From what I remember of that match, the girls played with passion, grit and determination. They communicated with each other constantly, were producing so many good attacks with every opportunity, and for us supporters it was that much more entertaining, as we were so close to the action, we felt part of it.
With every touch of that ball there was one intention for the players, and that was to turn and go, quick thinking for who to pass to, to turn the move into an attack. Sadly, for Watford, they always seemed one move away from doing anything to really hurt us, with no real killer pass in them they found it hard to cause us problems and failed to make the player advantage and 53% possession, count.
Saints really imposed their own style and their own way of doing things on Sunday, they played it their game and it’s what we love to see, they play so much better when they take their game to the opposition, rather than being nullified by the opponent, in this case Watford. The girls looked so much more comfortable and balanced doing that, and we can all visibly see it bringing the confidence to the performance of each player. If they lost the ball, they’d put pressure straight away onto Watford, aiming to get that ball back, which most of the time they did!
Looking ahead
We head into the match on Sunday with Saints sitting in 5th place in the table with 21 points, Watford 11th in the table and just 6 points behind us. We come off that back of a hard fought, 2 nil FA Cup win over Sunderland last Sunday, as well as the very long winter break. Hopefully, the momentum coming off the recent win, will spur us on to go for it and fight for it, against Watford on Sunday.
Following their promotion into the championship this season, Watford have had a very shaky first half of the season, ending bottom with only 10 games to go. They have recently signed a new goalkeeper from Manchester United, Safia Middleton-Patel, I hope she will help Watford keep those goals out, just not this Sunday!! Watford have only won 1 match this season, whilst drawing 3 and losing 8. Their last league game they held LCL to a 3-3 draw! Watford have scored 14 goals this season and conceded 27!
With Saints coming off the back of a 2-nil win, I hope they find it in themselves to keep the winning momentum going and bag those three points this Sunday. As far as predictions go, I’m going to say 3-0 Saints! Can’t wait to be back home and be in the stands with the amazing supporters, cheering those girls on.
Match officials
Referee – Megan Wilson
Assistant referee – Richard Fullicks
Assistant referee – Dasa Griffin
Fourth Official – Constantine Hatzidakis
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