Match Report
Match Report - 01 Mar 2009, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies lost to Southampton Saints
The Robins found themselves slumping to a second home defeat in 8 days at the hands of a lively Southampton Saints team. Manager Dave Ward had to reshuffle his squad due to a combination of injuries and unavailabilities which meant a change to the shape of the team.
The game started bizarrely as a mis-hit Saints cross from the Robins left flank struck the foot of the far post and rebounded in after less than a minute. Unfortunately, the Robins tried a little too hard to get back into the game demonstrated by their poor decision making in all areas of the pitch. Passes went astray, missed shooting opportunities and defensive errors all crept into their play. That's not to say there weren't some encouraging moments. Jen Patterson struck a free kick just wide of the target and there were some good moments from the industrious Maggs and Constable as they prompted and probed to find the elusive opening.
The back three stood firm with skipper, Angie Barton in particular, ensuring that she provided support and cover to her stretched team mates.
It looked as though the Robins had weathered the initial Saints storm and were heading into the interval with only a single goal deficit. However, a failure to dispossess a Saints defender resulted in an early ball to a Saints striker who worked the ball onto her right foot for a clinical finish from just inside the penalty area for a two goal cushion.
The second half saw a much improved Robins performance with them establishing a good passing game which is their trademark. The majority of the game was played in the Saints half but their young team stuck firmly to their defensive task making it very difficult for the home side to create any clear opportunities. Maggs, Constable and Patterson worked the ball well to create shooting opportunities for each other but were restricted to long range options which were competently dealt with by the Saints keeper.
A lack of good use of wide areas lead to many chances having to be carved out in central areas which gave the Saints a controlling edge as their opponents play became a little predictable. Tracy Corkett's introduction up front, despite having just got back from a months holiday, brought a fresh impetus to the Robins attack as she hunted down lost causes and opponents who dallied in possession. Her tenacity set the example for her team mates to follow and enter the fray with more vigour. As the pressure intensified more half chances emerged with the best opportunity falling to Patterson whose well struck shot left the Saints keeper grateful for the intervention of her left hand post.
Saints managed to force one corner in the half such was the territorial dominance of their hosts but a solid work ethic served them well to take the three points.
Plenty of positives for the Robins to take from their second half performance, in particular, as they prepare to welcome Wycombe Wanderers to Larges Lane this coming Thursday for a league encounter from which three points would be very much welcomed.
Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies 0 - 2 Southampton Saints