After heavy losses to what look like the national women’s football league’s three top teams, Southern United has its best chance of a point yet. It plays WaiBOP at Peter Johnstone Park today in what looks to be a winnable game. The side had shown improvements in its 5-1 loss to Capital last weekend and head coach Hayley Stirling was hopeful the team would be able to put on a good performance.
"I think it’s going to shape up to be a good match, to be fair," she said.
"We’ve started to find a little bit of form. We know we’ve still got some consistency issues we need to work through but we always go into a match wanting to perform and wanting to take points off teams, so it’s no different this week."
Lapses had plagued the team throughout its campaign and it often conceded multiple goals in short periods of time. Limiting the damage during those phases was key.
"I think it’s a mental thing now for the players. We can talk about it as much as we like, but it’s really about acknowledging when those moments are happening and stopping them from getting out of control.
"It seems to be always just before halftime and just after halftime, so we know when to pinpoint it, and it’s just about making sure the intensity and focus improves rather than drops off."
Stirling believed WaiBOP had weaknesses Southern could exploit and would look to put it under pressure. The team had been working on its high press, which it used well against Capital, with an eye to turning over ball to create chances. WaiBOP had won two matches and drawn the third, but were yet to play Northern and Canterbury United.
Jordyn Walker is set to return from injury, after working her way back with a handful of minutes in recent weeks.
Southern United women v WaiBOP
Peter Johnstone Park, today, 1pm
Southern United: Jade Middleditch, Sophie Dijkstra, Jordyn Walker, Kelsey Kennard, Annie Gilchrist, Katreena Drake, Kate Guildford, Rachel Christie, Mikayla Gray, Maryann Cant, Lara Wall, Catlin Taylor-Lynch, Stephanie Lee, Tabitha Seaton, Holly Johnstone, Holly White
WaiBOP (from): Georgia Candy, Amanda Wilshier, Georgia Williams, Kate Williams, Serena Murrihy, Hannah Reid, Michaela Foster, Kat Robinson, Michaela Clark, Leanna Ryan, Helen Talbot, Sarah Krystman, Naomi Coertney-Tennent, Emma Cawte, Chelsea Elliott, Theresa Rhein, Leah Gubb, Ella Golding, Helen Arjomandi, Maxine Rawnsley, Kim Maguire.
