Ladies' 2XI vs Trojans 3

Home game, local derby – simple, cut to the chase pre-team talk from Sue – get the three points and she will smile all the way to New Zealand. Southampton’s mind set was obvious even before the whistle as we set up positionally showing we meant business.

First pushback to Southampton, and within two passes, we were in their D – we really did mean business. Both teams looked lively, with backwards and forwards play switching quickly with Trojans getting a few breaks which broke into the D, but Southampton defence were solid. Southampton settled and midfield possession dictated and finally Bren using her infamous Dougie dummy dribbled from the 25 into the D, and with an amazing strike hit the ball past the keepers waist putting Southampton ahead 1-0.

Southampton kept the pressure, squishing any counter attacks from Trojans, keeping possession with some fantastic pockets of play, then Jenny received the ball down the right, deceptively moved into the D, and if we thought Bren’s goal couldn’t be topped, we were wrong - another fantastic strike took the ball past the keepers shoulder and deflected on the inside of the left post. 2-0.

Continued pressure from both teams resulted in a couple PCs each. Trojans were denied each time, but some set play shorties from Southampton, a bit of a scramble for one, eventually found Jess at the far post needing a simple but composed tap in. 3-0 half time.

Half-time talk was buzzing but the message was clear – go out and get an early goal. Trojans needed to know we were not going to sit back. Fantastic possession from Southampton and any Trojans attacks came as solo efforts as Southampton kept tight and composed.  Not long into the second half Bren’s again received the ball outside the 25 and Dougie dummied her way past three Trojans players, each one putting in a dodgy tackle, but finally as she got clear into the D, the umpire blew for a PC. This time the switch from the top put the ball into the corner for Bren’s to tap in our fourth.

Trojans fought hard for the remainder of the game, but the Southampton Ladies wanted a clean sheet and utilised their three subs to ensure the youthful Trojans side didn’t get back into the game.

To say our first home win was well deserved is a massive understatement, team performance was fantastic – composed, energetic, positive – well done to everyone, including Sue on the side-lines, who felt as though she had played every pass with those on the pitch. 

Player of the game was contested by a third of team, but this was truly a whole team performance – and congrats to Jo H and Jenny, who tied for this week’s accolade.