A hat-trick from Shannon Albuery, alongside goals from Ella Pusey, Rachel Panting and a penalty from Shannon Sievwright sealed the result in blustery conditions. With temperatures verging on freezing and strong winds remaining following the recent storms, it became clear that both sides would have to battle the elements this afternoon. But Saints soon used the conditions to their advantage; Albuery taking the lead for Saints just shy of the tenth minute after converting from close range following a cross from the left-hand side.  The visitors almost doubled their lead five minutes later, as another left sided cross was headed just wide by Pusey. Despite the early opener for Saints, it was clear the conditions would continue to play their part throughout the afternoon as the first half wore on. Ella Morris whipped in a dangerous cross after 32 minutes which Pharoah glanced wide with a header.  Seconds later Williams went close again via a free-kick, which keeper Kianna Orchard did well to hold onto with the prevailing wind behind it.  In a good spell for Saints Morris and Pharoah linked up once more after 35 minutes; the former’s looping through ball touched past the keeper by Pharoah but just missing the target. Spacey-Cale’s side soon let their dominance count, Pusey rising highest to head home from a corner and doubling Saints’ lead after 42 minutes. Chances kept coming during the remaining few minutes of the half, but the visitors went in with a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break as the sun began to set.

Saints continued their dominance in terms of chances into the second half; Sievwright hitting a trademark long range effort just over Orchard’s bar after 50 minutes. Soon after Pusey was involved again, forcing Orchard to tip an effort just past her left hand post with a low, drilled shot. The forward continued her pursuit for a second, fed through by Freeland after 58 minutes but having her shot deflected over.  But it was Albuery who would grab her second of the afternoon, hitting an effort across goal and making it 3-0 after 59 minutes. She then had a chance to add a third in the 67th minute; bursting through the Exeter defence and denied only by a strong Orchard save. But it didn’t take long for Albuery to claim her hat-trick, as she triumphantly volleyed home her third following Orchard’s parried save with twenty minutes to go. With the light diminishing and the temperatures dropping, Saints continued to control possession and see out the result. There was still time for Spacey-Cale’s side to add a fifth with just over five minutes to go; Panting hitting a looping effort from range which left Orchard with no chance.  Not only was there a chance for one more, but a second during the closing stages with Pusey bought down in the area and the referee awarding a penalty.  Sievwright stepped up in the 88th minute and left the keeper with no chance, making it 6-0 to Saints.  The game ended at six, giving Saints the perfect result they needed going into the all-important derby at Southampton Women on Wednesday.