By Huzaifa Yousafzai from St Mary’s Stadium
Southampton Ladies defeat Watford ladies three nil at home thanks to Sophia Pharaoh’s quick-fire brace as the Golden Girls end their weekend on rock bottom.
Megan Collet’s goal before the half, and Pharoah’s brace just after, means that Southampton are now two points from top spot in the Barclay’s Women’s Championship.
The Saint’s promotion charge was in full flow on Sunday afternoon as Sophia Pharoah continued her excellent form with two exquisite finishes only three minutes apart.
Her first strike came in the 59th minute as a cross was met by Pharoah first time with a right-footed shot on the volley, placed into the top right corner.
Shortly after, she was through on goal as Watford lost the ball playing out the back followed by Pharoah delightfully chipping the keeper, who was off her line.
She has been in excellent form this season now being the top scorer for the Saint’s in the Women’s Championship with six goals so far.
However, it was Megan Collet who got the opener in the 40th minute with her tidy finish past Middleton-Patel coming against the run of play.
Watford had actually started stronger as a backheel attempt from Lucia Leon in the 11th minute was saved by Bethany Howard and a shot across goal from Sophia Mclean went wide only not long after.
Watford will rue their missed chances and defensive mistakes as they now find themselves in last place in the Women’s Championship having conceded 18 goals in their last six games across all competitions.
Watford manager Damon Lathorne now finds himself under pressure in his first senior job as the Golden Girl’s fans want the inexperienced manager out of the door.
Southampton now have 8 wins and 5 losses with no draws in the league as their next assignment is against Tottenham Hotspur in the continental cup on Thursday night.
However all is not well for the Saints as there was concern for Rhianna Dean who was down inside the box for several minutes following a clash of heads.
Southampton will hope the 25 year-old English forward can recover quickly ahead of some big league and cup games over the next few weeks.
