IT was the final day of The Barclays Women’s Championship, and the Saints headed into their clash with third-place Charlton Athletic full of confidence after winning their last match against Sheffield United.
While Charlton battled to hold onto third with Durham hot on their heels, the Saints wanted to finish the season on a high and spoil the Addicks’ hopes.
STARTING XI
HEAD TO HEAD
Saints Wins- 1 | Charlton Wins- 4 | Draws- 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
A sunny day dawned on St Mary’s with a cool breeze adding a touch of frost to today’s game. An attendance of 2,188 filled the lower Itchen Stand, applauding the teams as they walked out to echoes of ‘Here come, THE SAINTS’.
Milestones recording the 100th appearance for both Milly Mott and Lucia Kendall of Southampton today as they graced the field for kick-off.
Both teams took the knee upon the whistle.
KICK-OFF
1′
Charlton claimed quick possession of the ball, loitering on the edge of the Saints’ box. Yet any chances attempted into the centre were quickly dealt with by the wall of red and white.
6′
A free kick to the Addicks floated into the box, only to be safely claimed by the hands of Fran Stenson. An opposing counter supplied Saints with a corner, with the meeting header whistling inches past the far post.
16′
The battle of the midfield!
The ball rocketed around each team in the centre third of the pitch with patterns of possession and dispossession switching between each team. No clear cut chance for either side.
23′
Southampton’s Aimee Palmer was shown a yellow card for a foul.
26′
Laila Harbert for the Saints was also shown a yellow card for backchatting the referee.
30′ CHANCE!
Jodie Hutton for Charlton went on a blinding run down the left-hand side. After skipping past the Saints right-back, Milly Mott, Hutton went for glory with her effort ricocheting off the crossbar.
This sparked a Southampton counterattack with Georgia Mullet leading the charge. Yet a mistimed pass on the edge of the box comfortably met the feet of the Addicks’ defence.
39′
Southampton were growing into the game more, taking advantage with a few attacks on Charlton. A free-kick from around 25 yards out was met by the free head of Tara Bourne who miscalculated her timing and targeted it the ball away from the goal instead of towards it!
HALF TIME
SOUTHAMPTON WOMEN 0-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC WOMEN
Both sides failed to break the deadlock with the majority of play centred around the middle of the pitch. Looking forward to a more exciting second half.
CHARLTON SUBSTITUTION
OFF 5- Elisha N’Dow ⬅
ON 25- Greta Humphries ⮕
SECOND HALF
56′ CHANCE!
Southampton are pushing on Chalton’s defence.
The final ball seemed to be lacking in their attack with a rash effort from Mullet flying wide left.
59′ GOAL!
SOUTHAMPTON WOMEN 0-1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC WOMEN
Bethan Rowe unleashed a wonderful curling shot into the top corner.
60′
SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION
OFF 11- Rachel Rowe⬅
ON 12- Araya Dennis ⮕
OFF 66- Aimee Palmer⬅
ON 8- Chloe Peplow ⮕
61′ GOAL!
SOUTHAMPTON WOMEN 0-2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC WOMEN
Another unpressed shot from outside the box saw Katie Bradley sweep the ball into the far right side netting.
66′ CHANCE!
Southampton’s Dennis attempted the lob over Sophie Whitehouse, yet the trajectory was just off as it sailed over the bar.
74′ CHANCE
A ball whipped in by Mullet comfortably met the feet of Lucia Kendall who sent the ball wide of the goal. Southampton had responded well since conceding.
76′ CHANCE!
A corner whipped in for a Saints attack met by the free head of Araya Dennis. The ball fired against the crossbar before heading over for a resulting free kick.
77′
CHARLTON SUBSTITUTION
OFF 3- Charlotte Newsham ⬅
ON 10- Melissa Filis ⮕
82′
SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION
OFF 10- Molly Pike ⬅
ON 15- Viv Lia ⮕
OFF 7- Georgia Mullet ⬅
ON 9- Rianna Dean ⮕
CHARLTON SUBSTITUTIONS
OFF 18- Gidria Siber ⬅
ON 9- Emma Bishell ⮕
OFF 22- Bethan Rowe ⬅
ON 21- Sophie D’Rourke ⮕
SEVEN ADDED MINUTES
90+2′
SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION
OFF 5- Laila Harbert ⬅
ON 49- Natasha Udebhulu ⮕
CHARLTON SUBSTITUTION
OFF 16- Karis Muya ⬅
ON 38- Jannis Chime ⮕
90+3′
A free-kick from Charlton was collected by Stenson despite being challenged. Captain Kiera Skeels went down injured following the set play.
FULL TIME
SOUTHAMPTON WOMEN 0-2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC WOMEN
Southampton finished their 24/25 Championship Campaign in eighth place whilst their opponents claimed third with the addition of today’s three points.
A great season for both teams, looking to build further again later this year.
