Moneyfields 5-0 Southampton Women
by Stuart Barker for Impetus at the John Jenkins Stadium (06/10/24)
Photo: Tom Phillips Photographer
Moneyfields secured three vital points at home with a dominant 5-0 win over Southampton Women, propelled by first-half goals from Kim Fuller and Megan Fox, followed by second-half strikes from Charley Wilson-Wilton, Shannon Albuery, and Megan Wood – both Albuery and Wood scoring against their former club.
The return of talismanic forward Charley Wilson-Wilton, after a two-match absence, was a key change in the lineup. Bekah Tonks also made her return to the starting XI, reclaiming the captain’s armband.
Karl Watson’s side got off to a dream start, with record goalscorer Kim Fuller netting her second goal of the season just three minutes in. Fuller’s thunderous close-range finish came after a perfectly delivered cross from Beth Burgess.
In the 10th minute, Moneyfields nearly doubled their lead when Wilson-Wilton’s powerful header seemed destined for the net, but Southampton goalkeeper Maddison Millington-Stanbury made a brilliant save, keeping her side in the game.
Southampton responded just two minutes later with a quick counterattack, but Moneyfields’ goalkeeper Sara Luce was quick off her line to snuff out the danger and keep the clean sheet intact.
Approaching the half-hour mark, Megan Fox extended the lead with a clinical finish after Millington-Stanbury parried another cross from the lively Burgess, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Five minutes before halftime, Amber Howden came close to adding a third goal but her header flew just over the bar.
Shortly after, Southampton’s Holly Humphreys forced a strong save from Luce, with the ball falling to new signing Zoe Allen-Thomas, but the Skye-Louise Granger was on hand to block and the defence then cleared.
Before the break, Wilson-Wilton had another chance, this time hitting the post with a header, leaving the score at 2-0 as the teams went in at halftime.
Ten minutes into the second half, Wilson-Wilton was finally rewarded for her relentless efforts, heading in from a tight angle following another pinpoint cross from Burgess – her third assist of the match.
Moneyfields continued to dominate possession, but it wasn’t until later that they added to their tally.
Shannon Albuery made it 4-0, pouncing on a rebound after Megan Wood’s long-range effort was parried by Millington-Stanbury.
In the 84th minute, Kira Vallely replaced Beth Burgess. Vallely became the only player to have represented Moneyfields every season since its formation in 2017, and made her 69th appearance.
As the match moved into added time, Megan Wood added a final flourish with the fifth goal. After some dazzling footwork to beat a defender, Wood rifled an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.
The victory lifted Moneyfields into third place in the table, overtaking Bristol Rovers, who drew 1-1 with league leaders Swindon Town. Southampton Women are still rooted to the bottom of the table but their young side continues to grow and with plenty of points still to play for, there is lots to be positive about for the Sirens.
Moneyfields: Sara Luce, Lucy Mear, Amber Howden, Skye-Louise Granger, Kim Fuller (Maisie Aldridge), Megan Fox (Sarah Butterworth), Megan Wood, Bekah Tonks (c) (Brook Garcia), Beth Burgess (Kira Vallely), Charley Wilson-Wilton, Shannon Albuery.
Substitutes (Not Used): Sophie Phelps
Southampton Women: Maddison Millington-Stanbury (Jess Vallis), Holly Humphreys, Manisha Kaur, Elle Elkins, Amber Marsh, Jess Soares, Laura Vokes (c), Laura Rodriguez (Izzie Thorogood), Izzy Conti (Chelsea Burr), Eliška Lynn (Lucie Waddon), Zoe Allen-Thomas (Sabine Ghag)
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