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Sunshine After The Rain
Dec. 10th, 2023 09:21 pmThe postponement of the two London Seaward games scheduled for the last week left me facing the prospect of a five-week women’s football drought, with me being in Germany next weekend and then the women’s game stopping for the Christmas break. Clearly that wouldn’t do. So today I headed over to Southampton to see fourth-division Southampton Women - the Sirens - take on second-division Watford FC Women in the WFA Cup.
I arrived in Southampton in pouring rain. I’d read that the facilities at Test Park were very limited, so got a cab to The Saints pub which was a short walk from the ground. Alas, although the barmaids there were friendly enough, when I asked if they were serving food I was told “pre-bookings only”. I had to settle for a bag of crisps with my Rekorderlig.
Walked round to the ground, rain still pouring down. Met David, a Watford Women fan I used to see at Leighton Town matches when I lived there, and had a catch-up chat. A hot chocolate from the serving hatch. News reached us in the pavilion that the match had been delayed an hour, to 2pm, to allow a pitch inspection and allow a muddy patch just outside one of the penalty areas to be raked and dried out.
By 1.45 the rain had stopped and I entered the ground. Just past the gate I met Lauren, who I’ve known for years. She was a Sirens player for several seasons until hanging up her boots this summer and is now assistant manager. She met me with a hug and a kiss. In the stand I said hello to Hayley who was in conversation with a sports guy from Radio Solent. Fantastic to see them taking an interest in this tie.
The match kicked off at five past two with the sun now shining. Sirens withstood sustained Watford pressure, then on 35 minutes, from a breakaway Brittany Jeal hammered home to give Southampton the lead. Watford equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Then Watford brought on ex-England Lioness Gemma Davison as a sub at the start of the second half and, inspired by her, they blew the Sirens away. Gemma racked up three assists as, despite some super saves by Grace Jenman in the Southampton goal, Watford ran out 6-1 winners.
I said goodbye and Merry Christmas to Hayley, went over to the corner closest to the players’ entry/exit gangway and clapped both teams off. Gave the Sirens a cheer when they left the pitch. Had to wade through pure mud to get to Lauren, got another hug and kiss.
Walking back past The Saints on my way to the bus stop, I noticed the large advertising board in the street proclaimed ‘Sunday - Christmas dinners’. I should definitely have contacted them during the week and planned ahead.
Back at Southampton Central station, hit Subway for a turkey breast Footlong.
I arrived in Southampton in pouring rain. I’d read that the facilities at Test Park were very limited, so got a cab to The Saints pub which was a short walk from the ground. Alas, although the barmaids there were friendly enough, when I asked if they were serving food I was told “pre-bookings only”. I had to settle for a bag of crisps with my Rekorderlig.
Walked round to the ground, rain still pouring down. Met David, a Watford Women fan I used to see at Leighton Town matches when I lived there, and had a catch-up chat. A hot chocolate from the serving hatch. News reached us in the pavilion that the match had been delayed an hour, to 2pm, to allow a pitch inspection and allow a muddy patch just outside one of the penalty areas to be raked and dried out.
By 1.45 the rain had stopped and I entered the ground. Just past the gate I met Lauren, who I’ve known for years. She was a Sirens player for several seasons until hanging up her boots this summer and is now assistant manager. She met me with a hug and a kiss. In the stand I said hello to Hayley who was in conversation with a sports guy from Radio Solent. Fantastic to see them taking an interest in this tie.
The match kicked off at five past two with the sun now shining. Sirens withstood sustained Watford pressure, then on 35 minutes, from a breakaway Brittany Jeal hammered home to give Southampton the lead. Watford equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Then Watford brought on ex-England Lioness Gemma Davison as a sub at the start of the second half and, inspired by her, they blew the Sirens away. Gemma racked up three assists as, despite some super saves by Grace Jenman in the Southampton goal, Watford ran out 6-1 winners.
I said goodbye and Merry Christmas to Hayley, went over to the corner closest to the players’ entry/exit gangway and clapped both teams off. Gave the Sirens a cheer when they left the pitch. Had to wade through pure mud to get to Lauren, got another hug and kiss.
Walking back past The Saints on my way to the bus stop, I noticed the large advertising board in the street proclaimed ‘Sunday - Christmas dinners’. I should definitely have contacted them during the week and planned ahead.
Back at Southampton Central station, hit Subway for a turkey breast Footlong.
