Bournemouth Home Lost 1 – 3
In Ralph we trust, including some of his idiosyncratic line-ups in an attempt to win three points, but left-footed Danso at right back and right-footed Soares at left back against Bournemouth seemed at best to be over-complicating things and at worst a deliberate slight to Bertrand. None of that excuses the visitors’ first goal on ten minutes when Danso in fact was the nearest to preventing Ake’s free header from a corner, but in no real position to stop him. AFCB aren’t world beaters but they are dangerous when running at defences, especially ones where players are uncomfortable with their positions, and they had the ball in the net for a second time through King, with the normally reliable Sian Massey-Ellis failing to raise her flag for a marginal offside; presumably linoes are instructed to let the telly ref sort out the difficult ones. That was enough for Ward-Prowse to be switched to full back, but Southampton’s reprieve was only temporary and again our right flank was exposed when Billings pulled the ball back for Harry Wilson to sweep it in. Maybe there was a reality check for the boss at half time as we saw Bertrand on for Danso and Soares switching flanks with early effect, Cédric able to supply a right foot cross that Ward-Prowse sent just over the bar – sometimes the game is simpler than coaches think. The second half was a vast improvement and hopes of a tangible return were raised when Adams was felled by Cook for Ward-Prowse to confidently despatch the resulting penalty. Redmond had a shot blocked late on with the game still in the balance, but deep into added time, Gunn and Bednarek failed to deal with a punt forward and Callum Wilson walked the ball into the net; Gunn was 70% at fault and has previous with his dodgy footwork.
So that’s the second derby of the season out of the way. Who’s next?
LSSC Man of the Match: Cédric Soares, especially when played in his right position.
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