SSFC RANGERS 2–5 COWPLAIN FC
Coming into their second game of the season, Rangers welcomed Cowplain FC at home.
On the whistle the visitors started quickly and enjoyed much of the early possession, with Rangers battling hard to get themselves into the game. With Rangers beginning to create opportunities, a few early efforts failed to trouble the Cowplain goalkeeper.
Pressure from the visitors eventually produced the opening goal, although Rangers were left frustrated after believing the assistant referee had indicated offside before the goal was awarded.
Little by little, the contest became increasingly physical. A number of challenges left Rangers appealing for decisions, particularly around the penalty area, but without success. Instead, frustration began creeping into Rangers’ performance. Not able to keep their composure, they were punished and went into the break 3–0 behind.
After half-time there was a noticeable improvement from Rangers. Rangers started controlling the ball better, moving it with more purpose and asking questions of the Cowplain defence.
Even so, frustration surrounding the officiating continued to affect the game. Cards followed, with one Rangers player receiving a yellow before a sin bin temporarily reduced the hosts to ten. Having the numerical advantage allowed Cowplain to push forward again and add another goal.
Even at 4–0 down, Rangers refused to allow the game to drift away. A switch of positions, combined with the arrival of a late substitute, gave the team renewed energy.
Tensions rose again when Rangers appealed for another foul inside the box after their forward appeared to have her shirt held. It was waved away, adding to what had already become an extremely frustrating afternoon.
Nevertheless, Rangers finally found the fire that had been missing earlier in the game. Great determination saw them drive forward and suddenly Cowplain were being forced onto the back foot.
Carly Paterson helped spark the response, grabbing her first goal on her debut for Solent Sports. Undeterred by the scoreline, Rangers continued attacking and produced another excellent finish to make it 4–2.
Now with momentum behind them, there was briefly a feeling that Rangers might make the closing stages interesting. That comeback was eventually halted when Cowplain found the net once more.
So the final whistle brought a 5–2 defeat and plenty for Rangers to reflect on at training this week.
⭐ PLAYER OF THE MATCH — CARLY PATERSON
A superb effort from Carly on her Solent Sports debut. Non-stop running, covering for her teammates and never giving up, topped off by scoring her first goal for the club. 👏⚽
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SSFC ALLIANCE 2–4 SHERFIELD ENGLISH
Alliance kicked off their first away game of the season with a trip to Sherfield, looking to build on last week’s performance.
Alliance settled in well but were caught napping when a big long ball over the top allowed Sherfield to take the lead.
Just like last weekend, the girls responded to the setback. Emily Pennington combined well with Holly Miles down the wing before the ball was eventually worked into the box. Holly coolly finished the move to bring Alliance level.
The game then developed into a real 50/50 battle, with neither side able to really take control. That was until a slightly fortuitous deflected effort pinged up and over a helpless Nicole in the Alliance net to send Sherfield ahead.
In the second half Alliance went close two or three times, with Zoe Davies seeing efforts saved. The pressure continued, with some really good combinations developing between Emily and Holly.
The threat of the long ball from Sherfield was always there, though, and Alliance were caught by it again as the hosts capitalised to make it 3–1.
Alliance then had a blatant shout for a penalty turned down, a moment which could have changed the course of the game. Instead, Sherfield broke away down the wing and scored again.
A late consolation came through Emily Pennington after some more excellent link-up play. The goal gave Alliance a late surge, but they were unable to make it count before the final whistle.
Another game week ends in defeat, but just like last week there were plenty of positives to take. Spirits remain high and the performance showed the continued growth of this young team.
⚽ GOALSCORERS
Holly Miles — 28 mins ⚽️
Emily Pennington — 78 mins ⚽️
Gaffer’s final words:
“The girls worked extremely hard and, although we come away empty handed, the positivity and collectiveness amongst this group has only grown.
“We believe this team is just getting started.”
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SSFC MERCURY 7–4 BARFORD HORNETS
BIRTHDAY HAT-TRICK HELPS MERCURY START THE SEASON WITH A BANG
A new-look SSFC Mercury got their season underway with an entertaining 7–4 victory over Barford Hornets.
After a massive recruitment drive and reshuffle over the summer, Mercury handed Solent debuts to Kyzz Zayar and freshly signed goalkeeper Nicola Spiers.
Barford have joined the league from the Wiltshire League and were a completely new opponent for Solent — and they wasted absolutely no time introducing themselves.
The game couldn’t have started much worse for Mercury. Inside the first minute, Barford broke through the Solent defence and found the net to take an immediate lead.
But Solent fired back through Ella “Peebs” Peebles, who was playing in the unfamiliar position of centre forward rather than her usual role at centre back.
From there, the first half became a game of footballing tennis. Barford scored, Solent responded, and the two sides continued trading goals.
Barford eventually went into the half-time break with a narrow 3–2 lead.
The message at half-time was to stick to the game plan, and Mercury did exactly that.
Solent brought the game level and then began to turn up the pressure. The work on shape and attacking play started to show, and once Mercury got themselves in front, they didn’t look back.
The goals kept coming as Mercury eventually ran out 7–4 winners, securing their first three points of the new season.
And it was quite a day for birthday girl Ella Peebles.
Playing out of position up front, Peebs celebrated her birthday with a hat-trick and was named Player of the Match. 🎂⚽⚽⚽⭐
⚽ GOALSCORERS
Ella Peebles ×3
Carrie Farminer
Lucie Lane
Lisa Pitts
Emily Hewitt
⭐ PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Ella “Peebs” Peebles 🎂
Manager Steve Fletcher said:
“We’ve worked hard on our shape and our ruthlessness in front of goal. While conceding four isn’t ideal, it shows we’ve got enough bite to go and get goals at the other end.
“It’s great to give another two players their Solent debuts as well.
“First game, first win, first big three points.”
FULL TIME — SSFC MERCURY 7–4 BARFORD HORNETS
🎂 Birthday hat-trick for Peebs
⭐ Player of the Match
🤝 Two Solent debuts
⚽ Seven goals
💪 Three points
