27/9/20 - Southampton FC (A) - FAWNL Div 1
Report by Greg Mogford
After an excellent start to the season at Homers Heath, Buckland fell to defeat on the road at the hands of a professional performance from the Saints. In front of the Virgin Media cameras, the yellows started brightly, with Leah Brooks winning an early free kick which forced the Southampton keeper into action, scrambling across her goal after Zoe Cunningham’s effort took a wicked deflection.
This was the first of a succession of early corners, as full back Sarah Smith delivered 3 deliveries from the Buckland left, but all were dealt with well by the red rearguard. Southampton started to get a bit more of a foothold in the game, first creating an opening which made Abbi Bond work in the Bucks goal, before a good defensive line trapped a red attacker offside.
Buckland set out with a positive game plan which was effective from the outset, forcing Saints into area’s where they didn’t want to play. Hana Bennett pressed the red defence with excellent energy, forcing a turnover which created a chance for Meg Wood to fire at goal, but the shot was blocked. Then, disaster struck for the yellows as Smith went to clear a long, looping ball, unfortunately Miskicking the ball, allowing Ella Pusey to break through & beat Bond to make it 1-0. Responding to the setback well, Buckland continued to play positive football, with Leah Brooks forcing a save from the saints keeper, before Substitute Sarah Stacey left the keeper absolutely flabbergasted as a first time looping shot, hit from just inside the centre circle, found its way over the keeper & into the net.
The leveller was however, short lived, as no less than 90 seconds later, the one goal advantage was restored as another defensive mix up cost Buckland dear, heading in at the break 2-1 behind.
This was the first of a succession of early corners, as full back Sarah Smith delivered 3 deliveries from the Buckland left, but all were dealt with well by the red rearguard. Southampton started to get a bit more of a foothold in the game, first creating an opening which made Abbi Bond work in the Bucks goal, before a good defensive line trapped a red attacker offside.
Buckland set out with a positive game plan which was effective from the outset, forcing Saints into area’s where they didn’t want to play. Hana Bennett pressed the red defence with excellent energy, forcing a turnover which created a chance for Meg Wood to fire at goal, but the shot was blocked. Then, disaster struck for the yellows as Smith went to clear a long, looping ball, unfortunately Miskicking the ball, allowing Ella Pusey to break through & beat Bond to make it 1-0. Responding to the setback well, Buckland continued to play positive football, with Leah Brooks forcing a save from the saints keeper, before Substitute Sarah Stacey left the keeper absolutely flabbergasted as a first time looping shot, hit from just inside the centre circle, found its way over the keeper & into the net.
The leveller was however, short lived, as no less than 90 seconds later, the one goal advantage was restored as another defensive mix up cost Buckland dear, heading in at the break 2-1 behind.
The second half got off to a terrible start for Buckland, who, after conceding an early free kick, found themselves two goals behind, as Alex Sheppard’s header found its way to Pusey, who notched her second goal of the game. Southampton used this springboard to assert their dominance throughout the half, however some good defending from the yellow defence kept the match competitive. Zoe Cunningham then received a yellow card, before Pusey completed her hat trick with a well placed finish past Bond.
The final score line was given a gloss as Mollie Taylor misjudged a cross, inadvertently beating her own keeper to give a 4 goal margin which didn’t really reflect the performance Buckland delivered on the day.
The final score line was given a gloss as Mollie Taylor misjudged a cross, inadvertently beating her own keeper to give a 4 goal margin which didn’t really reflect the performance Buckland delivered on the day.
Final score
Southampton FC 5-1 Buckland Athletic
Southampton FC 5-1 Buckland Athletic
