After a disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Plymouth (1-2) two Sundays ago the cherries headed to Southampton for a difficult domestic south coast derby match.
Saints have been struggling of late, and since their relegation from the premier league last season seem to be going through a rough transitional period. This aside Bournemouth went into the fixture knowing Southampton would not want to drop points against their south coast rivals.
The game kicked off at pace with both teams desperate not to give any gifts in the opening minutes. However after a nervy 10 minutes Bournemouth took control of the game and kept the ball pinned in the opposing half. A solid twenty minute spell saw the cherries create a hat ful of chances that could have easily finished the game there and then. Bell, Neill, Roe, Langrish and Morgan all seeing there efforts squandered in front of goal.
The game slowed slightly as the cherries began to question what they had to do to put the ball in the net. Saints regained a little composure and began to play searching balls to well known saint captain Krystal White, who’s pace is known to beat most opposing full backs. On 35 minutes White was played in with a low driven ball that fooled the Bournemouth back line. Simkin came out quickly to close down White, but she made no mistake and slotted home to see Saints ahead.
Bournemouth replied quickly after the restart with a well worked free kick that saw Howarth nod down to keehan who squared to Langrish to bury the ball in the net. Unfortunately the linesman called late for offside.
HT 0 – 1
Bournemouth manager Shaun Langrish gave a stern talk during the interval. The cherries came out after the break knowing that nothing short of all three points would be acceptable.
On 55 minutes Lauren Little had to be replaced due to a foot injury. Heydon made an instant impact and broke down the Saints attack, fed the ball to Langrish who chested down for Roe to play Keehan in with just the full back and Keeper to beat. A well deserved equaliser.
With the game level and Howarth and Fisher containing the runs of White, Bournemouth went searching for another and were rewarded on 67 minutes when substitute Merry found Roe again twisting and turning on the right, this time flicking the ball to Langrish who smashed into the roof of the net.
Saints appeared to let their heads drop in the middle which isolated the fresh attacking players brought on to pressure the cherries back four. The game became one sided towards the end, with the cherries using most on the possession to attack. Bell, keehan and Roe all went close again but were denied by some resolute defending and confident goal keeping.
With the clock ticking Roe was released by Langrish and with some quick feet to beat the centre half drilled the ball high into the net.
Cherries were again denied by the refs whistle as he cruelly watched Roe run 3/4 of the pitch with only the keeper to beat before blowing for full time.
FT 1 – 3
Squad: Simkin, Little, Fisher, Howarth, Grierson, Keehan, Morgan, Langrish, Roe, Neill, Bell.
Subs: Heydon, Isom, Tilly, Merry.
Nicola Roswell