| Saints have been struggling of late, and since
their relegation from the
premier league last season seem to be going through a rough
transitional period. This aside Bournemouth went into the fixture
knowing Southampton would not want to drop points against their south
coast rivals.
The game kicked off at pace with both teams desperate not to give
any gifts in the opening minutes. However after a nervy 10 minutes
Bournemouth took control of the game and kept the ball pinned in the
opposing half. A solid twenty minute spell saw the cherries create a
hat ful of chances that could have easily finished the game there and
then. Bell, Neill, Roe, Langrish and Morgan all seeing there efforts
squandered in front of
goal.
The game slowed slightly as the cherries began to question what
they had to do to put the ball in the net. Saints regained a little
composure and began to play searching balls to well known saint
captain Krystal White, who's pace is known to beat most opposing full
backs. On 35 minutes White was played in with a low driven ball that
fooled the Bournemouth back line. Simkin came out quickly to close
down White, but she made no mistake and slotted home to see Saints
ahead.
Bournemouth replied quickly after the restart with a well worked
free kick that saw Howarth nod down to keehan who squared to Langrish
to bury the ball in the net. Unfortunately the linesman called late
for offside.
HT 0 - 1
Bournemouth manager Shaun Langrish gave a stern talk during the
interval. The cherries came out after the break knowing that nothing
short of all three points would be acceptable.
On 55 minutes Lauren Little had to be replaced due to a foot
injury. Heydon made an instant impact and broke down the Saints
attack, fed the ball to Langrish who chested down for Roe to play
Keehan in with just the full back and Keeper to beat. A well deserved
equaliser.
With the game level and Howarth and Fisher containing the runs of
White, Bournemouth went searching for another and were rewarded on 67
minutes when substitute Merry found Roe again twisting and turning on
the right, this time flicking the ball to Langrish who smashed into
the roof of the net.
Saints appeared to let their heads drop in the middle which
isolated the fresh attacking players brought on to pressure the
cherries back four. The game became one sided towards the end, with
the cherries using most on the possession to attack. Bell, keehan and
Roe all went close again but were denied by some resolute defending
and confident goal keeping.
With the clock ticking Roe was released by Langrish and with some
quick feet to beat the centre half drilled the ball high into the net.
Cherries were again denied by the refs whistle as he cruelly
watched Roe run 3/4 of the pitch with only the keeper to beat before
blowing for full time.
FT 1 - 3
Squad: Simkin, Little, Fisher, Howarth, Grierson, Keehan, Morgan,
Langrish, Roe, Neill, Bell.
Subs: Heydon, Isom, Tilly, Merry.
Nicola Roswell |
