QK Southampton vs BSLFC Res (league)
It was off to The Hive for our 5th league game of the campaign. It’s always been a challenge for us here and after two draws last season we knew we’d have to perform to come away with 3 points.
It started as a pretty cagey affair, QKs plan was quite clear with a deep defensive line and 3 high strikers, and it was their right forward that was giving Orton plenty to think about as they looked to exploit her pace. Up the other end we just couldn’t find a way through and most of the first 15 passed by in the middle.
The game came alive after this though, a great chance fell to Lander who was through from a West flick. The defender managed to put enough pressure on the shot to make it easier for her GK to make a simple save.
QK had a two on one moments later, Gard made a good recovery run but Corredera Espejo had to defend the cross to stop the danger.
Orton almost found Lander with a good through ball from the back but the GK was out quickly to thwart it.
Lander was through again a minute later but with the previous chances on her mind she held the ball up a laid off to Symes who hit an effort on her weaker right side but it went straight at the GK again.
We were creating some good chances, but just lacked composure to finish them. Lander almost found Acott with a ball but it was just out of reach. She retrieved it and cut it back to Symes on the edge but it flew over to safety.
We had a free kick about 25yds out on 25 minutes but the GK did well with an awkward bounce just in front of her from Symes’ effort.
Despite sustained pressure it was QK that took the lead just before the half hour mark, escaping down the right and out numbering us they crossed and Corredera Espejo went to block the cross but only made contact with the striker and it was a penalty. Traves in goal had no chance with a good pen in to the bottom corner.
West had a great chance 5 minutes later beating the GK with a 1 on 1 but a superb block by the recovering defender denied her.
Asira had a chance just before half time from a West corner but it was very well saved.
HT we had some good chances but were wasteful and QKs pace of attack meant that we had to stay focused if we were to stay in the game.
We almost found ourselves 2-0 down a minute into the second half, but Gard made a great recovery to stop a 2 on 1 attack.
West probably should have levelled a few minutes later, her pace took her through on goal but she stumbled with the ball at the key moment and gave the GK a chance to cover the ball.
Just after the hour we were beginning to look more dangerous and more gaps were beginning to show in the QK defence. A great header from Benjamin was stopped but not held by the GK from a corner. The ball dropped on the line but was cleared by the defender.
Lander had a good attempt well blocked on 65 before we eventually forced an equaliser on 69. Lander hit a good effort following up from a saved Asira effort, it was once again well saved but Asira was there, a couple of yards out, to force it over the line. 1-1
No sooner had we equalised we were in front. A Taylor corner was flicked on by Benjamin and Acott was at the back post with a good touch and finish low into the far corner. 1-2
Combined pressure from Asira and Acott almost had us a third at 75 but Acott just couldn’t get enough on the shot.
QK could have been level a minute later, through on goal but Gard and Davies managed to put enough pressure on to force her to put it wide.
We played some great football on 78 which ended with a good chance for Corredera Espejo but fired narrowly over.
We made it 3 just after. Acott played through with a good ball from the midfield, she committed the GK and squared the ball for White to have a simple tap in. 1-3
White then put Acott in but 2 superb saves denied her as we looked to put the game to bed.
De Angelis tried her luck from distance but again it was narrowly over.
We made it 4 with 88 minutes on the clock. Thompson went on a run from the left, made her way through to the middle of box before reversing the ball back to White who had another close range finish. 1-4
A great final 20 minutes gave us a good result but the first half was certainly a challenge as QK proved very difficult to break down.
Player of the match went to Emily Gard, she doesn’t overly like playing at the back but did a great job once again.
Managers player went to Thompson who is improving all the time and got a great assist.
Rory went to Ricky for a miscommunication on the corner routine before the game. Funny that the team knew I’d said the wrong thing but both videos of corners prove they had no idea what was going on!
