Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue no.20 2021-22

Saints go marching on
Southampton FC Women 1 Bristol City 0
Southampton FC Women, of the FAWNL Southern
Premier Division, claimed a notable victory over
Championship Bristol City in front of close to 4,000
spectators at St Mary's Stadium in a Fourth Round
Vitality Women's FA Cup tie. It was a win born out of
tenacious determination, some good fortune and a
couple of moments of brilliance which determined a
closely fought contest.
Southampton had a couple of dangerous early
attacks expertly shut down by Satara Murray but the
visitors soon established control over proceedings
moving the ball well through midfield and attacking on
both flanks. The Saints defence was solid however and
behind them goalkeeper Kayla Rendell was in Ffion Morgan tries to close down Megan Collett
commanding form throughout. (Will Cheshire).
Melissa Johnson saw an early header from a
corner bounce off the top of the bar whilst Abi Harrison had an effort held by Rendell on 35
minutes. Saints were limited to occasional through balls with Fran Bentley in the City goal very
quick off her line to clear the danger.
The second period started dramatically with Gwennan Dayies hitting the Saints post
from close range, then Rendell making a fine blocking save as Johnson got clear of the defence
on 49 minutes.
Saints regrouped after those early scares and returned to absorbing Bristol pressure
whilst trying to hit on the counter. A flurry of substitutions seemed to give the home side a lift
and Lucia Kendall nearly fashioned a brilliant opener on 78 minutes improvising a first time
effort just wide with Bentley stranded.
City were inches away from an injury time winner as Aggie Beever-Jones poked a
through ball past Rendell but substitute Milly Mott got back superbly to somehow hook the
ball away off the line for a corner.
The value of Mott's intervention was doubled within seconds of the start of extra time
when Ella Morris gave Saints the lead. A left wing cross was flicked on by Katie Rood and
Morris controlled before finishing right footed low past Bentley.
Southampton grew in confidence and Kendall nearly added a second but the
Championship team were far from done. With 109 minutes gone, they were awarded a penalty
but, after a lengthy delay for a Southampton injury in the area, Jesse Woolley fired the spot
kick over the bar. With a couple of late half chances going wide of goal and some superbly
resolute Saints defending, the majority of the crowd were able to celebrate a fine victory after
four added minutes at the end of extra time.
Southampton FC Women have risen rapidly through the pyramid helped by the backing
of the men's Premier League club and are challenging for promotion to the level which Bristol
City operate at. However, they must also relish the possibilities offered by the Fifth Round
draw after this hard earned success.
Southampton FC Women: Kayla Rendell, Ella Morris, Megan Collett, Caitlin Morris,
Rosanna Parnell, Laura Rafferty, Georgie Freeland, Phoebe Williams, Sophia Pharaoh,
Leeta Rutherford, Lucia Kendall. Subs: Shelly Provan, Ella Pusey, Shannon Sievwright,
Alisha Ware, Sara Luce, Milly Mott, Katie Rood, Ciara Watling.
Bristol City: Fran Bentley, Ella Powell, Lia Cataldo, Satara Murray, Brooke Aspin, Aimee
Palmer, Abi Harrison, Gwennan Davies, Melissa Johnson, Izzy Cook, Ffion Morgan. Subs:
Sophie Whitehouse, Naomi Layzell, Ava Kuyken,
Simran Jhamat, Flo Allen, Maisy Collis, Maddi
Wilde, Aggie Beever-Jones, Jess Woolley.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 20 - 3 February 2022