Back
Southampton Women 0 Banbury United Ladies 1
A 1-0 win for United Ladies at Southampton this afternoon means that a win at New Forest Ladies next Sunday will secure them the League Championship
This may have been a top versus bottom of the table clash but you would not have known that from the game as Southampton showed why they have achieved some decent results of late with a battling display against the league high-flyers.
Though Banbury had the better of the opening twenty minutes there were no clear chances for either side. Banbury did create an opening in the 21st minute when Catherine Howse set up Alex Ayckbourn but she shot straight at the custodian from 12 yards and the ball was comfortably gathered.
However, United would make the breakthrough in the 27th minute when a corner from the left taken by Zoe Boote was put into her own net by a Southampton defender from close in at the near post.
Though Banbury had more of the play for the rest of the half it was certainly not all one way traffic and on 40 minutes Southampton went close when a 25 yard effort well struck went just wide.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. United created a couple of good chances midway through. Firstly on 66 minutes Kath Faulkner put Boote through on goal but her shot over the advancing home goalkeeper went well wide. Two minutes later a poor goal kick out by the goalkeeper was picked up by Boote who then fed the ball through to Howse but the shot from United’s leading goalscorer went just over the bar.
The last fifteen minutes saw Southampton put Banbury under some pressure as they looked for an equaliser. This made it a tense period for United supporters, particularly in view of the importance of picking up the three points, but to be fair Banbury defended very well and Nicky Isted in the Banbury goal was not required to make any saves of note to preserve United’s lead.
This three points, United’s ninth consecutive league win, now means victory at New Forest Ladies next Sunday will ensure them of the Southern Region Women’s Football League Division One Championship and with it promotion to the Premier Division for next season.
Banbury United: Nicky Isted, Chloe Stallwood, Rebecca Howard (Shania Phipps 84), Jenna O’Neil, Sarah Rhind, Lucy Durnin, Zoe Boote, Kath Faulkner, Catherine Howse, Josie Clark, Alex Ayckbourn.