Last minute winner leaves Southgate disappointed after high quality game against Barnes.

Match Report : Allan Dick


Southgate’s second match of the season saw the women’s first team taking on Barnes at home. This game had been anticipated as being a close encounter after both teams won their first games and had looked equally impressive in their preseason preparations, and it certainly did not disappoint.


Southgate’s preparation was disrupted with a potentially serious injury to new recruit Sally Bradley in the warm-up. Sadly, it took her out of the game and everyone wishes her a speedy recovery.

The match itself was played in atrocious conditions! Steady rain lasted throughout proceedings but it did not hamper a high quality, end to end match.


Barnes started off with an aggressive press that Southgate did well to get out of most of the time. Elisa Filarmonico and Sofia Martin made great gains when they picked up the ball and eliminated the oncoming players.
The deadlock was broken in the second quarter, a turnover by ‘Gate allowed Barnes to snatch a 1-0 lead, the low shot beating Molly Smith in the Southgate goal.


In the third and fourth quarters, Southgate upped the tempo. It finally paid off when Jess Olorenshaw scored from a penalty corner. In the dying minutes, in an attempt to grab a winner, Southgate turned over the ball around the halfway line, Barnes quickly moved upfield and scored with 30 seconds left on the clock with a shot that was struck high and back across the goalkeeper and into the net.


Ultimately, a disappointing and frustrating end to a match that was fiercely competitive.


Southgate now look forward to a trip to Canterbury on Saturday to get their season back to winning ways.