Southampton have made it five matches unbeaten in the Barclays Women’s Championship with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this afternoon.
Ella Pusey netted the only goal of the game in the first half as The Saints continued their impressive start to life in the elite game.
A lively start to the match saw both sides presented with early opportunities. First, Bex Rayner fired an effort at visiting keeper Kayla Rendell from the edge of the box before Ella Morris thumped a shot straight at Bethan Davies at the other end.
Southampton then broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Morris’ neat pass found Pusey who took the ball around Davies before placing her shot into the unguarded net.
The hosts responded and only a stunning save from Rendell prevented Rhema Lord-Mears’ 20-yard strike from nestling in the roof of the Southampton net.
Rendell got the better of Lord-Mears again in the second half. The Sheffield United midfielder took aim from distance but the keeper showed great agility as she clawed the ball to safety. At the other end, Southampton also provided a goal threat through half-time substitute Lucia Kendall. Her downward header was impressively kept out by Davies.
Both sides continued to push forward in search of goals and Leeta Rutherford saw a header cannon off the top of the crossbar for Southampton before Rachel Brown’s volley was held by Rendell at the other end.
Sheffield United threw everything they had at The Saints in the closing stages but the visitors held on for a victory which will help them to continue to climb up the Barclays Women’s Championship table.
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