Southampton Women’s Under 16s faced Bournemouth Sports Under 16s at home in the league, faced with a game billed as a double header and six points up for grabs.

The game began fast and furious with both teams coming straight out of the blocks fighting for the points. Southampton were on top at the beginning moving the ball around and creating chances at the get go but a defiant Bournemouth were holding off the home team. The deadlock was broken when a pass to Airs with a defender on her back showed a touch of class and genius with a flick of the ball over the defender, weaving in and out past more players and some more trickery, then into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. A fantastic goal to gain a deserved lead for the home team/

Southampton looked dominant in possession and forced mistakes from Bournemouth who started to get nervous being on the back foot and gave away a foul on the edge of the penalty box. Bunnett stepped up to take it and cleverly chipped it over the defence for Tchuenkam to run onto and walk into the goal, 2-0 . However, the away team were not giving up and managed to claw a goal back when their players were left unmarked on the edge of box and struck a shot into the corner of the goal that hit the post and in. The first game ended 2-1.

The second game was tense with both teams going into the next 40 minutes with everything to prove. Both teams came out to win and it was Southampton who showed their attacking prowess; shooting from in and around the goal keeping Bournemouth on their toes. The visitors couldn’t find a way through the Southampton defence as every chance they had was blocked and cleared. Finally, the first goal came when a driving run from Sale towards the Bournemouth penalty box with a ferocious shot that went over the goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net saw the home team lead 1-0. The visitors tried to find a goal and managed to hit the woodwork but could not convert. The home team continued to pressure but could not add to their tally before the match ended 1-0. Six points gained to keep the u16’s on top of the league.

Southampton FC Under Under 16s Manager, Wai Wan said:

“The girls put in a massive performance, every player deserves huge praise for their part in todays victories over Bournemouth Sports. Each individual on the pitch today was determined to put their cup heartache behind them and show their true worth. I am so pleased that they took what they have been working on at training into the game today and they got what they deserved with their 2 wins. We now target a strong finish with our final games of the season”