The Bees suffered defeat on the South Coast, falling to a 5-0 defeat at Southampton FC in the FA Women’s National League.
Southampton, fresh off of back-to-back 9-0 league wins, pressed the Bees hard throughout the 90 minutes, earning a number of chances and corners that tested the Bees’ resilience.
The hosts began strongly with a shot from Shannon Seivwright on the half volley that was caught by Faye Hazelton.
Southampton took the lead in the 18th minute as a ball from Kendall found Pharoah open in the box who slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
The game continued in the same rhythm with Southampton earning a number of chances. Hazelton in the 28th minute continued to dominate her area well, catching the ball from a cross after being under heavy pressure from two Saints players.
In the 30th minute, Southampton came close again as Alisha Ware shot from the edge of the penalty area and ended up firing just over the crossbar.
Heavy pressure by the hosts’ press earned them the ball in the box in the 38th minute, and a fine stop from Hazelton prevented them from furthering their lead.
The Saints doubled their advantage following a large spell of pressure in the 42nd minute when Leeta Rutherford headered in at the far post from a corner.
The second half started with Southampton enjoying the majority of chances and possession as Hazelton was called into action just after the restart to prevent Freeland from scoring Southampton’s third.
Southampton scored their third in the 52nd minute when Lucia Kendall scored following a corner that was floated into the box.
Milly Mott went close to adding a fourth in the 53rd minute when she shot from the penalty spot, only to see her effort zip just wide.
Southampton got their fourth of the afternoon in the 64th minute when Ella Pusey scored within two minutes of coming on, as she converted from a cross from the right-side of the pitch.
Millie Constantine gave the Bees a chance in the 78th minute, firing wide from deep after Danielle Puddefoot nicked the ball in the centre of the park.
The final 10 minutes saw Sian Osmond’s side come into the game more, but they were unable to prevent Southampton from scoring their fifth of the evening.
Alisha Ware was played the ball from a short corner as her cross-cum-shot looped into the back of the net, to ensure that the Bees returned home empty-handed.
Southampton: Kayla Rendell, Rosie Parnell, Laura Rafferty, Georgie Freeland (Ella Pusey 62’), Shannon Sievwright, Alisha Ware, Sophie Pharoah (Phoebe Williams 72’), Lucia Kendall, Milly Mott (Kelly Snook 81’), Leeta Rutherford (Caitlyn Morris 84’), Ciara Watling. Subs (unused): Sara Luce.
Goals: Sophie Pharoah (18’), Leeta Rutherford (42’), Lucia Kendall (52’), Ella Pusey (64’), Alisha Ware (87’).
Bees: Faye Hazelton, Jess Burke (Stef Paci 51’), Danielle Puddefoot (Amber Tullett 88’), Frankie Webster, Flo Gamby, Parker Dunn, Lauren Heria, Nikki Jancey (Hannah Coote 72’), Millie Constantine, Sophie Lee, Megan Wood.
Goals:
Referee: Ella Broad.
Attendance: 201.