Another big win for City Ladies

SOUTHAMPTON were expected to provide a sterner test than the previous week’s opposition and they certainly did. City were fortunate to beat the Saints 3-2 away earlier in the season but this time they got off to the perfect start.

A long throw-in down the line by returning defender Kate Hine right from the off set Helen Kukor in; she beat the Southampton left-back and crossed the ball into the area where Vic Barter was waiting to side-foot home. City kept attacking, this time through Sam Burnham, who had a great shot saved by the Southampton keeper after a Dani Barr corner.

The Grecians doubled their lead on twenty minutes; City won another corner and again Barr whipped the ball in, after a great decoy run by Josie Copp, the ball was met at the far post by Kukor, who headed it into the back of the net. Kukor had a chance to double her tally just before half time but shot too early and fired wide.

The Grecians started very slowly in the second half and almost allowed the Saints to get back into the game, but City keeper Abbi Bond made some quality saves. The Saints continued to attack, and their number 8 turned in the middle of the park and shot leaving Bond to produce another fine stop to keep the ball out of the net.

City scored the final goal of the game with fifteen minutes left. Great build-up play by the defence and midfield allowed Marika Ghiglia to play a ball down the left to Barter. She took on the Southampton left-back and played the ball across the box to Kukor, who stretched and managed to convert.