Match report by Oli Shaw
An emphatic display from Southampton resulted in a 4-0 win for the Saints over south coast rivals Portsmouth at St Mary’s Stadium.
Knowing a win for the Saints would take them just one point off the top three, it was a good opportunity taken by the reds, who now sit just outside the promotion places.
A record league attendance for Saints Women, 7,561, watched on as the reds are now 10 games unbeaten in all competitions against their south coast rivals.
The visitors started the game well and caused a few problems for the Saints, with the best chance of the first 20 minutes falling to Pompey’s top scorer, Meg Hornby, who had her shot blocked from the centre of the box.
However, just after the 20th minute mark Jess Simpson, Southampton’s joint top scorer this season, slotted home after a cross from Abigail Ferguson found her unmarked at the back post.
Ellie Brazil managed to flick a corner on from the front post, as her header looped over Pompey goalkeeper Jessica Sarah Gray to make it 2-0 to the Saints on the half hour mark.
Portsmouth were the better team for the first 25 minutes of the second half but failed to test Fran Stenson in the Southampton goal.
With 20 minutes to go Saints sub, Aimee Palmer, forced a great save from Gray, with a goal saving challenge coming moments after from Pompey defender Hannah Coan to stop Ellie Brazil in her tracks as she looked to be 1-on-1 with Gray.
The game was well and truly put to bed by the Saints after player of the match Mary Bashford put the home side 3-0 up.
Bashford won’t score many easier goals as she latched on to a rebound after Saints debutante Tegan Mcgowan forced a good save from Gray.
Shortly after the third goal, one of the standout performers for the Saints, Megan Collett, picked out Palmer who swivelled nicely to get the ball onto her left foot before slotting home to make it 4-0 to the home side.
Pompey will be looking to put this performance behind them as they will soon welcome 2nd place Birmingham down to the south coast, whilst the Blues sit just one place above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Saints will be looking to build on this performance as they head up to Sunderland.
