Ladies crash out of the League Cup

Playing against the Premier Division leaders, Southampton who boast a 100% win record this season, this was always going to be a tough test and so it proved with the team two down after only eight minutes of play.

This was the pattern of the game with goals coming in short bursts after a period United attempting to steady the game and create a handful of chances. Goals three,, four and five came in a seven minute spell midway through the first half with the sixth and seventh in two minutes before the break.

The second half saw Woodley enjoyed the better of the opening twenty five minutes with May Hamblin and Mollie Haines working hard down both flanks, Eva Thomas and Clara Stringer challenging hard in midfield and the back four showing greater presence and determination as typified by Katie Barratt.

However, once Southampton scored their eight on seventy two minutes following Sophie Ali deflecting a shot into her own net, the visitors stepped up their game to not only score three more but see stand in keeper Ellen Surtees make several good saves.