Women's Report: Ilminster 0-4 Saints

Phoebe Williams scored the opener just after the half-hour mark after a frustrating opening few minutes, curling an effort from the edge of the box into the top corner.

Celebrating her 18th birthday Alisha Ware added that all-important second on the stroke of half-time; converting from a low Charley Evans cross.

After a frustrating second half Ware added a second, giving even more cause for celebration, after 74 minutes, firing home a rebounded effort from close range.

The fourth and final goal came courtesy of Ella Pusey, who latched onto a defensive error from the hosts and finished from an extremely tight angle.

Williams captained the side which featured a couple of changes from the 11 which beat Helston Athletic in the same competition two weeks ago.

Kelly Fripp came in for Caitlin Morris, whilst Shelly Provan and Evans started at the full back positions.

Saints took time to get into their rhythm on what was a very heavy pitch at Ilminster Town, with the hosts very quick to close the visitors down in the early stages.

After a tightly contested opening ten minutes it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock; Provan firing an inviting cross from the left flank which came millimetres away from the sliding Ella Pusey at the back post.

It didn’t take Pusey long to have another bite at the cherry; twisting, turning and firing a looping effort towards goal after 14 minutes which eventually proved easy pickings for keeper Charlotte Johnson.

Ilminster continued to frustrate Saints; a clever Williams free-kick fed through Ware but the defender was equal to the challenge and won a goal kick.

But in the 32nd minute the breakthrough finally came; Williams finding space on the edge of the box and firing a superb effort into the top corner leaving Johnson with no chance.

The visitors came close to a second just two minutes after; Sophia Pharoah glancing a header wide following a beautiful right-sided cross.

Saints were sure they added that illusive second in the 38th minute, Pusey wriggling free from the stubborn defence but denied by the linesman’s flag despite finding the back of the net.

Finally that goal came just shy of the break, Evans breaking free and squaring the ball into the feet of birthday-girl Ware at the back post, who made no mistake with an open net.

Minutes into the second half Saints nearly gone a beauty of a third goal; Panting flicking the ball over the defender and volleying an effort towards goal, which ultimately swerved just wide much to the disappointment of those in attendance.

As the rain came down the match started to level out in terms of possession; Kayla Rendell called into action just past the hour mark following a deep Ilminster free kick.

Saints were injected a bit of pace from the bench through the introduction of Lucia Kendall on 66 minutes, who played through Ware on the left flank resulting in a dangerous cross that couldn’t be met.

Minutes later came a cross from Panting from the opposite wing, which Johnson did well to come and collect inside a busy penalty area.

Pharoah was next to come close, firing her rebounded effort just over of the Ilminster goal after Johnson parried.

The third finally came in the 74th minute; Johnson involved once more to parry Pusey’s effort but Ware was there to finish triumphantly into the roof of the net.

It didn’t take long for a fourth; Ilminster culpable of giving away possession of which Pusey used to her advantage, rounded the keeper and scoring from an almost impossible angle.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale used the advantage to make some changes; Milly Mott, Georgie Freeland and debutant Kelci-Rose Bowers all taking to the field with six minutes left to play.

Mott soon had a goal within seconds of taking to the field; responding quickest to the rebounded Freeland effort and forcing Johnson into a save low to her left side.

Ilminster went closest than they had come all afternoon in the final minute of normal time, defender Helen Bleazard, formerly of Women’s Super League side Yeovil Town, curling a free kick just over.

The score line remained 4-0 until the final whistle, confirming Southampton’s place in the first round proper of the competition for a second successive season.