Women's Report: Saints 3-0 Exeter

The opening goal came curtesy of a fine finish from Lucia Kendell, who slotted home calmly from close range following a superb run from Alisha Ware on 20 minutes.

The lead was doubled only a couple of minutes into the second half, a powerful run down the right and a driven cross from substitute Kelly Snook was deflected into the roof of her own net by Exeter’s Anthea Kaptien.

With just a couple of minutes left to play, Rachel Panting sealed the win for Saints with a touch of class, skilfully rounding Exeter’s Kyanna Orchard before a calm finish into the open net.

Southampton sustained a firm grip on the game from the very first whistle, their accomplished short passing play proving too good for Exeter to break down, despite the away sides physical approach.

The opener looked to be certain on 10 minutes, a failed Exeter clearance finding its way to the feet of Kendall, whose goal bound shot was expertly cleared off the line by the Grecians captain Manfy Sharpe to keep the score level.

Five minutes later and Exeter were pegged back again, a lofted ball from Shannon Sievwright was latched onto by an advancing Ware down the left, her cross into Ella Pusey stopped well by the aware Orchard.

The long passing of Sievwright proved a real problem all game for the visitors, and it was her pinpoint pass once more on 20 minutes that set Ware off for a third time, the winger breezing her way through the Exeter defence and releasing Kendell, who made no mistake with her placed finish into the bottom left corner.

A frustrated Exeter fashioned their first opportunity 12 minutes later, a rare pocket of space opening up in the midfield for Connie Pengelly to line up a longshot which ultimately sailed harmlessly into the hands of an alert Kayla Rendell.

Moments before halftime, Georgie Freeland was brought down just outside the box to win a Southampton freekick, an opportunity for Sievwright to power a left-footed strike at goal that whistled just wide of the post.

Both managers opted for changes at halftime, Marieanne Spacey-Cale bringing on Kelly Snook at right back for Milly Mott, while Chloe Harris replaced Pengelly for Exeter.

Perhaps slightly frustrated not to be ahead by more, Southampton started fiercely in the second half, substitute Snook instantly picking up the ball, driving down the right and powering in a low cross that forced the mistake from a scrambling Anthea Kaptein, who could only turn the ball into her own net.

Despite enjoying long spells of possession during the second half, Southampton’s hunger for a third was evident; a hunger that was almost fed on 57 minutes, striker Ella Pusey, who bagged a hattrick in Saints’ last outing against Southampton Women, was just inches away with a curling effort from distance that had Orchard scrambling.

Finally, just a couple of minutes from time came a Saints third, a perfectly weighted ball from Phoebe Williams fed straight into the stride of substitute Rachel Panting, who skilfully rounded the goalkeeper and passed into the open net; no less than Southampton deserved on the day.

Spacey-Cale’s side will next face Maidenhead on October 25th in the Women’s National League South West, and will undoubtedly be confident following another terrific display.