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SOUTHAMPTON FC
WOMEN news
SAINTS SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT
OF 2023/24 CAMPAIGN
Southampton FC Women were subjected to
their first defeat of the season as high-flying
Sunderland beat them by a single goal at St
Mary’s.
Going into the game
looking to make it three
wins from three, Saints
were faced by an
unbeaten Sunderland
who had posed issues
to Marieanne Spacey-
Cale’s side last season.
Saints looked offbeat
in the opening
Molly Pike was a
bright spark in Saints’
battle with Sunderland
encounters, with
the more physical
Sunderland
dominating possession
all over the pitch.
Molly Pike provided
the only glimpse of
anything resembling a
chance in the opening
15 minutes, managing
to get a shot off after
turning from a throwin,
but the ball was far
from troubling Claudia
Moan between the
Sunderland sticks.
In the later stages of
the first half, Saints
began to look more
like the team who
had won their two
opening games, with
both Sophia Pharoah
and Pike having
opportunities before
the half-time whistle.
Sunderland, though,
showed their intent
straight from the start
of the second half,
shooting directly from
kick-off.
Ten minutes later,
capitalising on a
lethargic Saints start,
Mary McAteer provided
a searching cross into
the box and Jenna
Dear timed her run
perfectly to leave
Saints’ defence with
too much to do, as
she slotted the ball
past Rendell to give
Sunderland the lead.
Saints were unlucky
not to go level less
than five minutes later,
as Wilkinson found
herself inside the box
with the ball at her
feet. However, under
pressure, she slammed
her shot just wide.
The home side went
even closer through
Morris shortly after. The
pacey number 2 raced
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