Brian Eley reports that Southampton Saints were in despair after what proved to be a luckless Sunday for them in the FA Premier League Division 1 South West.
After an earlier inspection at 10am ruled their home venue of Sholing FC waterlogged for the visit of Keynsham Town, the Southampton Saints admin team rallied to reverse the fixture and travel to Somerset. Organising transport and players – some players had work commitments – in such a short space of time was never going to be easy but the love of the beautiful game conquers!
Transport arranged, Saints were on the road at 12.30 thinking there was plenty of time for the re-arranged 4pm kick off. The day turned more stressful when the team mini bus suffered a blowout on the M4. With a new tyre safely on, Southampton were determined to fulfill this fixture and the match eventually commenced at 4.50pm on the 4G surface.
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Saints attack the Keynsham goal
Saints started brightly against an experienced Keynsham Town who suffered relegation from the Southern Division in their last campaign. Chances were created at both ends but the visitors looked increasingly dangerous down as the tie progressed.
Turning pressure into a lead, the visitors ppened their account when Catherine Browning found herself unmarked, showed a deft touch and smashed the ball home. It wasn’t one way traffic though, Keynsham always looked dangerous, With Justine Lorton-Radburn controlling the midfield and Katie Cook spearheading the Keynsham attack, they kept their hopes alive. But it was Browning who came close to doubling the advantage on 30 minutes, alas hitting wide when it was probably easier to score! Her strike partner Jessica Lewry was denied by the woodwork when her lifted effort struck the upright with a stranded keeper left to look on.
Kat Littleboy on the ball for Southampton
That misfortune was forgotten when in-form Browning put the Saints two up on 36 minutes. Five minutes later it was Keynsham celebrating after a defensive error gifted a way back and Maria Garcia took full advantage to gain a foothold back in to the game.Just on the stroke of half time Saints were so close to making it three as Lewry headed against the bar for the second occasion.
After the interval, Keynsham rallied to get back in to the game and Saints had to defend in numbers and held out Garca scored her second on the the 70-minute mark and the home team drew level.
Keynsham were now well in the ascendancy but the visitors were still dangerous on the counter with Browning causing havoc and panic for the home side’s right back. It certainly was not going to be Saints’ day as Lewry beat the keeper again for the crossbar to intervene for the third time. A chance went begging to regain the lead as a superb free-kick somehow managed to evade everyone and drifted past the back post. The ooh’s and aarghs from the Saints bench could be heard from miles as hands were brought up to faces!
Saints’ keeper Hannah Haughton makes a save
If you do not take your chances you should expect to be punished. Inevitably Saints fell to the sucker punch when on 87 minutes Keynsham bagged the winner as Lorton-Radburn headed home a corner.
Saints Manager Adam Lee said: “You have to feel for the team today, we had a horrendous trip down and to play so well, defending like Spartans, creating chances galore. I just feel so sorry for them and the travelling band of support.
“The work ethic of the team was fantastic and as a manager that is all I can ask for. As for hitting the bar three times, I`m wondering whether there was a magnet in the ball!.
“Jokes aside, my Coach Luke and I were very impressed with the way the team picked themselves up from last week’s disappointment and defeat at Swindon Town”.
Images by Tara Shave
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