SOUTHAMPTON FC Women fell to a 1-0 defeat against Birmingham City in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 at St Mary’s Stadium on the 15th of March, with substitute Asato Miyagawa’s late tap-in proving the difference between the two sides.
It was Saints’ first game in a month, and a depleted squad gave everything against the league’s second-placed side, but Birmingham’s superior depth told in the final 15 minutes.
Simon Parker made just two changes from the previous win over Bristol City, restoring Amy Goddard and Michaela McAlonie to the starting line-up. With Chloe Peplow ruled out through injury, Tara Bourne was deployed in defensive midfield, while Goddard partnered Ellie Hack in central defence.
Saints created the first real chance of the afternoon as early as the third minute. Winger Ellie Brazil burst forward on the counter, skipped past full back Rebecca Holloway and cut the ball back for midfielder Aimee Palmer, whose sweeping effort was saved by the feet of Adrianna Franch. Parker’s side largely kept Birmingham quiet, with Wilma Leidhammar skewing their best first-half opening high and wide before the 20-minute mark.
The half’s most dramatic moments came either side of the half-hour mark. Fran Stenson reacted sharply to tip a deflected low cross from Océane Hurtré past the post, before Mary Bashford rose to meet an inswinging corner at the other end, only for her header to cannon back off the crossbar.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Saints pressing relentlessly and forcing turnovers. Stenson produced another fine stop to deny Veatriki Sarri, who had jinked inside from the right and shot low. Bashford came agonisingly close again when played through on goal, but fired into the side netting from close range.
Birmingham’s bench began to make its presence felt as the game wore on. Saints scrambled a clearance off the line with 20 minutes remaining, with Bashford again getting a vital touch. The pressure eventually told when Miyagawa, introduced from the bench, tapped home on the rebound after an initial scramble and another goal-line clearance had only delayed the inevitable.
Saints pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages as the conditions worsened, but could not find a way through as Birmingham held on to hold their second place position in the table.
