Women's Report: Saints 1-3 Birmingham City

Saints fell to their second defeat of the season as a slicker looking Birmingham, with a goal in the first half from Libby Smith put them in the driving seat, with the striker getting her brace in the second before an unfortunate mistake at the back cost Saints their third.

Substitute Emily Kraft grabbed Saints’ consolation deep into stoppage time, but it was not enough as a lacklustre performance cost them all three points.

Ahead of kick-off, players, staff and fans paused with a minute’s silence in memory of Sheffield United Women’s player Maddy Cusack, whose tragic passing was felt across the footballing world.

It was Saints doing the defensive work in the first five minutes, as Birmingham City looked to pen in Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side.

Laura Rafferty was fortunate to concede a penalty under the pressure, as the Northern Ireland international met a bouncing ball which looked to ricochet off her hand. The referee waved away appeals, much to the distress of Birmingham’s players.

Kayla Rendell was on hand to deny shortly after, a ball towards the back post was headed goalward, and looked destined to nestle in the net, but the Saints number 1 clawed the shot away.

It was Katie Wilkinson with an opportunity at the other end next, as some neat play saw Jemma Purfield able to spin a left-footed cross into the danger zone, but the number nine was only able to head wide.

Saints were punished for their lack of clinicality straight down the other end, as Birmingham’s Libby Smith latched onto a ball forward and was able to slide the ball past Rendell for the opener.

Molly Pike, who had been key in Saints’ first wins of the season, looked to connect with Wilkinson as the home side pushed for the equaliser. The pacey Pike raced forward after winning a ball in midfield, and fed Wilkinson through; Her shot-come-cross forcing Birmingham’s Lucy Thomas to tip over the crossbar.

The away side, having secured their lead, were looking after possession and frustrating Saints, especially in the midfield area.

When Saints did gain some possession, they looked dangerous on the break. As the half ticked past the 30 minute mark, Ella Morris and Megan Collett combined well on the right-hand side to get forward, but the final ball was lacking once more.

Birmingham City did get their penalty shortly after, as Rafferty was adjudged to have handballed in the box.

Christie Harrison-Murray stepped up to the spot to take, sending her effort low and hard to the right. Rendell guessed the right way, smothering the ball and keeping the deficit to one.

It was more of the same for both sides as the half wore on, with the battle becoming increasingly even keel. 

Saints had the last chance of the game however, as Sophia Pharoah brought down the ball in the box and slid a pass to her right, into the path of an onrushing Pike. Birmingham did well to clear their lines and keep their lead going into the tunnel at half time.

Rendell was on hand in the first half to keep the deficit to one

Two half time changes saw Paige Peake and Atlanta Primus replace Laura Rafferty and Sophia Pharoah in an attempt to freshen up the Saints threat.

The home side looked brighter on the ball in the opening exchanges of the second half, but they were still struggling to break down a resilient Birmingham.

It was one of the half time substitutes with the first sight on goal, as Peake played a ball straight through the middle of the park, Pike touched to her left and Primus slammed a shot goalward, but it was collected by Thomas with ease.

Saints were creating more as the clock ticked towards the 60th minute, Pike raced down the line and sent a ball skimming across the face of goal, but no red shirt was able to connect.

There was a break in play shortly after, as Primus received a vicious ball to the head at short range, requiring treatment from the medical team.

Saints were next to be unfortunate with a penalty shout in the 67th minute, as neat play saw Primus in the box and bringing back her foot to shoot, only to be brought down with a sliding challenge. The referee waved away appeals much to the consternation of the large Totton crowd.

Milly Mott was the first Saints player to enter the referee’s book. Making a run from her own half, deep into Birmingham City territory, she lost control of the ball and slid into an onrushing blue shirt.

Birmingham made their own foray into the opposition half count minutes later, as Ivana Fuso slid a ball across the box, with Smith able to turn home from close range to double the deficit.

Rianna Dean came on to make her competitive Saints debut, injecting some further energy into the reds attack.

Emily Kraft and Lexi Lloyd-Smith were then introduced in the closing minutes for Ella Morris and Atlanta Primus, but Saints were still struggling to make anything stick. 

Despite the fresh legs in attack, it was once again Birmingham who had the ball in the net as the clock headed into injury time. A ball across the box caused confusion and Rosie Parnell was unfortunate to see the ball cannon off her and into the net.

However, despite the knock of conceding, it was Saints who had the last action of the game. Emily Kraft was able to head home a loose ball from a Purfield corner for her first ever Saints goal, and a consolation for a hard-working team in the 90+6 minute.

A tough defeat to a Birmingham City side who had suddenly found their rhythm on the ball, Saints will look to go again as they head to Watford FC Women next weekend, with Continental Cup action fast approaching as well.

Saints XI: Rendell, Collett, Mott, Parnell ©, Purfield, Kendall, Rafferty (Peake, 45’), Morris (Kraft, 86’), Pike, Pharoah (Primus, 45’, Lloyd-Smith, 88’), Wilkinson (Dean, 76’)

Substitutes not used: Howard, Wynne, Thompson, Lloyd-Smith, Milne

Birmingham XI: Thomas, Harris, Mason, (Louise) Quinn, Smith (Walker, 78’), Harrison-Murray © (Lawley, 78’), Agg, (Lucy) Quinn (Finn, 66’), Allen, Devlin (Fuso, 55’), Herron

Substitutes not used: Dungate, Jenner, Clarke, Cole, Banaras

Attendance: 1261