By Emily Evans 12/2/24
Above: United celebrating after Williams’ goal. Credits: Impetus 71 – Josh Barrett
Saints went head to head against the Red Devils at home today in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup. The crowds were booming at the Silverlake Stadium on a sunny Sunday afternoon. People arrived from up and down the country to watch this match between the two red teams.
Saints started by taking the advantage, before the Red Devils took the majority of the possession, passing the ball cleanly up and down the pitch.
Only a mere seven minutes into the game United took the lead with a goal from Ella Toone, who is not only a key player for them, but also a key player for the Lionesses. She pushed through Southampton’s defensive line, making their early goal almost inescapable, and keeping the away fans excited and loud.
This however did not stop Saints, who came back with full force in their attacking but also their defending, managing to keep the visiting team at bay and push the ball into United’s box.
In the sixteenth minute, Saints took a throw in thta ended with United getting the ball and securing it back into Southampton’s half, despite their great efforts to keep the ball, seemingly a key problem for the home team.
After a very exciting twenty minutes, United had another chance to score again, however they didn’t succeed after the ball bounced off the corner post and the keeper managing to clear it – making the home fans very excited and showing their support for their team. Despite this, the visiting team continues to look dangerous, really testing Southampton’s defence.
A strike right into the hands of Mary Earps, almost landed Saints their first goal, but their finishing tactics were seeming flawed, and Earps kicked the ball out of her half, a flurry of chances for United following, all the while looking more and more dangerous, but with none of their shots finding the back of the net.
A break in play followed as Southampton’s number 9 received some treatment, but she was back up in no time and play resumed as normal, both sides really putting in the work, eager to win.
A slip up in Manchester United’s defence meant Saints could push through, getting closer and closer to the goal, but ultimately leading to nothing as Earps received the ball. Once again, this being a key problem for Southampton – their finishing not being clinical enough, always going straight into the hands of the keeper.
In the 31st minute, a free kick was granted to United, with their Captain and number ten, Katie Zelem, taking it. Nothing came from this opportunity as the ball soared past the side of the goal, but still making United look extremely dangerous when having possession.
Several elements of the home team make them look dangerous, managing to get the ball out of their half, but with nothing coming from it – something they can use as a takeaway from the game to improve on.
In the 34th minute, Collett took a shot that veered just to the side of the goal, all the while showing just how much they wanted this win against one of the WSL’s top teams. Their determination and skills never faltered, despite being 1-0 down.
The Southampton keeper, Kayla Rendell, was equal to much of what United threw at her.
Ella Toone once again looked dangerous but was stopped inside the box by Saints, who managed to clear the ball before another one of their players went down with an injury. This time it was their number twenty-three who seemed to be having trouble with her leg but got back up and made her way back onto the pitch as the play continued.
United’s front pairing of Toone and Galton made their side especially dangerous, with them having many chances and constantly breaking through Southampton’s defensive back line. Regardless of only one meeting the back of the net, they demonstrated just what they have come to do – win this game in order to progress into the next round.
Both teams continued to fight until the last minute of the first half where the visiting team stayed in the lead with a 1-0 advantage. Despite being down at half time, Saints have shown their clinical nature, managing to get the ball into United’s half many times, having some shots on target and keeping their opponents at bay.
In the 50th minute, Saints had an excellent on-target shot, nearly managing to make the score line equal. However, it was saved by Mary Earps, who made an excellent save in order to keep her team in the lead.
Southampton had to call on Rendell to make an impressive save when their defence broke down and Nikita Parris managed to sneak her way round, which she successfully saved, keeping the score line at 1-0.
The home team pulled back and forced the ball into United’s half, really showing their determination and drive to score and bounce back after an accidental mistake, that nearly cost them another goal. To keep the score at only 1-0 is very impressive on behalf of Saints, who are currently a championship team and wouldn’t usually go against United.
The crowd continued to cheer and support their teams, giving them the motivation to drive forward and secure a win, while both the home and away team gave it their all on the field.
The 63rd minute brought around Parris once again taking a shot on goal, looking very clinical, but Rendell made another brilliant save keeping her team in the game.
Straight after this, the home team bought it back, with their number seven, Lexi Lloyd-Smith, scoring an amazing goal, catching Earps off guard and bringing the score to 1-1. The fans went absolutely wild, cheering on their team and showing just how much support they bring. The home team’s comeback proved just how good this Championship side really is, giving them the motivation to push for a second goal, which was unfortunately for them saved by Earps.
Two substitutions were then made, the United side perhaps being rattled by this unexpected goal and needing fresh legs on the pitch. Rachel Williams came on for Malard, and Irene Guerrero coming on for Naalsund.
Following the lead of United, Saints then also made some subs, having Ella Morris replace Collett and Sophia Pharoah come on for Atlanta Primus.
In the 71st minute, another attempt on goal was made for Saints, being saved by Earps but showing the strength this team has to score more goals in order to keep them in. Being the underdogs coming in to this match, it could be suggested that no one would have expected them to perform the way they have, managing to keep United on their toes the whole game, and even scoring a goal.
Not long after, in the 73rd minute, a beautiful header by Rachel Williams put the away team in the lead once again, currently holding on to a 2-1 lead. This indeed proves their tactic of making subs correct, as the fresh legs did in fact bring them another goal.
An opportunity for a third goal arose for United, and Williams despite only previously scoring her first goal not too long before, scored another one, bringing the score to 3-1. The away team really showing just how sharp they can be.
In the 86th minute, Earps made a key save, just about managing to push the ball away and stop the home team from scoring another goal.
Throughout both halves, both teams had a very strong attacking focus, each of them really pushing through the other’s defence and getting stuck in with tackles.
The home side voted for their number three, Milly Mott, as their player of the match, the result of her being clinical on the field and creating chances for her team.
A key player that stood out to me in the home team was the keeper, Kayla Rendell, who managed to keep the score line so much lower than it could have been. Throughout the game, she made key saves, boosting her team and showing everyone the talent that has led to several England youth caps. Regardless of her not being Saints’ player of the match, she was mine.
On the away side, Toone definitely stood out. Her determination and vision kept the game going, pushing her team forward and allowing more and more goals to be scored. She actively sought after the ball, making key tackles, and opening up spaces for United.
The game ended with a 3-1 win to the Red Devils, securing them a place in the next round of
Southampton: Kayla Rendell, Milly Mott, Lucia Kendall, Laura Rafferty, Katie Wilkinson, Molly Pike, Alice Griffiths, Atlanta Primus, Jemma Purfield, Megan Collett, Paige Peake
Subs: Ella Morris, Lexi Lloyd-Smith, Megan Wynne, Sophia Pharoah, Benedicte Haaland, Emma Thompson, Emily Kraft, Isabel Milne, Bethany Howard
Scorers: Lexi Lloyd-Smith (65)
Manchester United: Mary Earps, Gemma Evans, Katie Zelem, Melvine Malard, Maya Le Tissier, Hannah Blundell, Lisa Naalsund, Leah Galton, Millie Turner, Ella Toone, Nikita Parris
Subs: Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Aofie Mannion, Irene Guerrero, Hayley Ladd, Rachel Williams, Alyssa Aherne, Olivia Francis, Pheobe Chadwick
Scorers: Ella Toone (7), Rachel Williams (74, 82)
Referee – Jade Wardle
Attendance – 4554
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