Women's Report: Saints 0-3 Arsenal
Southampton FC Women concluded their pre-season schedule with a useful test against Women’s Super League giants Arsenal.
A first half strike from Kyra Cooney-Cross and Laia Codina’s second half brace proved to be the difference in the result, but a hard-fought battle put Saints in good stead for the season.
Arsenal utilised 20 players in the contest, whilst new Saints Head Coach gave her starting side more minutes with the Barclays Women’s Championship season on the horizon.
Saints' first St Mary's line-up of 2024/25. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)
The visitors, fresh from a USA tour as they conclude their pre-season schedule, started strong with a host of familiar faces and international stars in action.
One of those, Alessia Russo, had the first opportunity after just five minutes when she drove into the area off the left wing only to see her shot blocked by Benedicte Haaland in goal.
A free header for Frida Maanum followed as the visitors controlled a lot of the possession, but the midfielder didn’t trouble her Norwegian counterpart in goal.
Saints’ first real foray into a dangerous area came as Meg Collett was released on the right wing, but her whipped cross was cleared.
Russo went close again but couldn’t capitalise on a knocked down header, as her half volley was held by Haaland at close range.
However, Arsenal’s pressure did pay off in some style, when Australian international Kyra Cooney-Cross hit a fantastic shot that flew into the top left corner off the post.
Saints stayed resolute in their shape out of possession, limiting Arsenal to just one more chance of note in the first half.
Alice Griffiths closes down Kim Little in midfield.
Maanum’s jinking run in the area was snuffed out by Haaland’s brave dive, as Mariona Caldentey skewed the loose ball wide.
Jonas Eidevall made nine changes at half time as Arsenal flexed their full squad, whilst Remi Allen introduced Aimee Palmer for a slight tweak at the break.
The flow of the contest remained the same however, as Arsenal came close to a second through Lia Walti’s rising shot after a slick passage.
Stina Blackstenius’ effort rippled the side netting minutes later, stifling the away supporters’ premature celebrations.
Arsenal weren’t to be denied for long though, as two quickfire goals put the scoreline beyond any doubt.
Despite the largely positive performance, there was room for frustration at the manner of the final goals as Laia Codina converted from two set pieces in quick succession.
The Spanish centre-back was allowed to head home, and then tap in a loose ball in the space of four minutes.
Saints reconvene after two quickfire goals.
After that double salvo from the visitors, the game mellowed again in the closing stages as both sides managed their play in attack and defence respectively.
Haaland made another smart stop in the closing stages, getting down low to push away Michelle Agyemang’s rasping drive from the edge of the area.
Arsenal had done enough to claim the victory, as Saints gained a tough workout to set them up for the Barclays Women’s Championship campaign.
Attention now turns to the season opener, as Remi Allen’s side host Bristol City at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday 8th September with kick-off at 2pm.
Saints: Haaland, Collett, Mott (Peake 83), Bourne, Purfield, Griffiths (Thompson 70), Kendall, Primus (Palmer 46), Gregory (Brown 83), Dean, Pike.
Subs not used: Pettit, Milne, Watts Nohasiarisoa.
Arsenal (first half): Zinsberger, Williamson, Reid, McCabe, Fox, Little ©, Cooney-Cross, Maanum, Caldentey, Russo, Foord.
Arsenal (second half): Zinsberger (Williams 73), Blackstenius (Godfrey 66), Reid (Junaid 88), Walti, Kuhl, Wienroither, Kafaji, Codina, Agyemang, Lia, Harbert.
Subs not used: N/A
Goals: Cooney-Cross 28, Codina 65, 69.
Referee: Paul Barber
Attendance: 5379.
