Women's Report: Saints 0-1 Birmingham
Southampton FC Women battled hard in the elements, but were undone in defeat against Birmingham City in the Barclays WSL2.
A threadbare Saints squad left everything on the field on their return to St Mary's Stadium, but the league's second placed side utilised their strength in depth and broke the deadlock through Asato Miyagawa to win the game in the final 15 minutes.
Stepping out for their first game in exactly a month, Saints fielded just two changes from the win against Bristol City last time out; Amy Goddard and Michaela McAlonie were restored to the starting line-up by Simon Parker.
With an injury forcing Chloe Peplow out of contention, Tara Bourne was deployed in defensive midfield as Goddard combined with Ellie Hack in the centre of defence.
Saints' starters at St Mary's. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)
Saints created the game's first big chance on an early counter, as Ellie Brazil raced forwards after just three minutes to catch Birmingham out from their own corner.
The winger breezed past visiting right back Rebecca Holloway and cut the ball back for Aimee Palmer, who had her sweeping effort saved by the feet of Adrianna Franch.
Simon Parker's well-drilled side had restricted Birmingham, who started the day second in the league, to few chances as Wilma Leidhammar skewed a loose ball high and wide with their best opening inside the first 20 minutes.
Just before the half hour mark, two decisive moments at either end almost resulted in an opening goal; Fran Stenson reacted well as a low cross from Océane Hurtré was deflected goalwards, requiring Saints' shot-stopper to tip the ball past the post for a corner.
At the other end, Saints went even closer when Mary Bashford rose high to meet an inswinging corner, but her header ricocheted back off the crossbar as the scores stayed goalless.
Mary Bashford was everywhere for Saints.
With no changes for either side at the break, the game picked up where it left off with Saints relentlessly harrying the Blues and forcing turnovers whilst the visitors still posed a sporadic attacking threat.
Another Stenson save kept Birmingham at bay when Veatriki Sarri jinked inside from the right wing and shot low, forcing another low, stretching hand to push the ball wide.
Bashford, who had been everywhere in another tireless display, had another chance narrowly miss the target when she was played through into the area but shot into the side netting from close range.
The visitors utilised their greater strength in depth and began to turn the screw as the game wore on; Saints had to scramble a ball off the line with 20 minutes to play, as Bashford again got a vital touch to this time clear the loose ball away.
However, Saints' resilience was eventually broken down with under 15 minutes to play through substitute Miyagawa who, after an initial scramble in the area and another goal line clearance from Bashford, tapped the ball home on the rebound.
A tiring Saints side pushed for a response in the closing stages, but nothing fell for them as the elements worsened and time ticked further away, allowing the Blues
Saints: Stenson, Simpson, Goddard, Hack (Brown 90'), Collett (Edwards 78'), Bourne (Mott 65'), Bashford, Palmer, Brazil, Primus (c), McAlonie.
Subs not used: Pettit, Watts, Roberts.
Yellow cards: Simpson (48').
Birmingham: Franch, Silcock (Cooke 75'), Leidhammar (Lindström 75'), Hopcroft (Miyagawa 62'), Holloway, Crosthwaite (Quinn 88'), McKenna, Cornet (c), Hutré (Louis 62'), Sarri, Herron.
Subs not used: Thomas, Harris, Kovacs, Lee.
Goals: Miyagawa (76').
Yellow cards: McKenna (24'), Herron (27'), Hopcroft (41').
Attendance: 2,503.
