Jane Yeates had the highs and lows with her hat-trick and sending off as Southampton Women’s FC won 5-2 away to Brislington.
The forward was first to score before Lauren Clark netted on her debut and Kellie Warren made it 3-0 from the spot.
Yeates scored a second goal before Brislington netted twice but the attacker sealed with the win with her third but was sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence.
Five debutants started for Southampton and it was two of these who tested Brislington in the early doors.
Emily Wernham pressed the hosts at the back where she won the ball finding Yeates but Brislington defended well then Aine McKeever scored only to see it chalked off for a foul in the box.
Captain Tash Angel narrowly missed the goal in the 10th minute off a free-kick while Clark’s 25-yard shot was claimed by Vicky Powell.
18 minutes gone and Yeates smashed home a great header for her first of the afternoon.
The half hour mark saw the lead doubled with some lovely skill.
Clark found herself inside the box flicking the ball over the defence on the turn and burying the ball for her first goal for the club.
Before the break Yeates found herself in the referee’s book and then found herself in the sin bin.
Despite the player disadvantage the lead was extended to three minutes after half-time.
Philippa Holden’s attempt at goal was handled in the area by a Brislington defender and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Warren stepped up for dead ball and firmly slotted in for her first goal of the campaign.
Brislington were quick to try and get some hold of the game forcing a great block from Rose Kite.
More attacks followed for the visitors Clark and Yeates (now back on the pitch) going close. An hour on the clock and Southampton found a fourth.
A deep cross at the back post was headed straight at Powell by Yeates which the Brislington goalkeeper couldn’t do much about.
The game looked to have been won for the visitors but with half an hour left on the clock there was more drama still to be hand.
Against the run of play Brislington found the chance to counter a long ball through the middle found Cheryl Baber.
Angel tried to make the challenge but couldn’t stop Baber’s run who wasn’t put off by Kite’s advances as the ball was neatly tucked away.
Six minutes later the hosts had a second.
The space was opened up on the right hand side, Brislington finding Rebecca Pritchard unmarked who settled herself before shooting to make it 4-2.
A possible comeback was ended pretty quickly as Yeates scored her hat-trick more or less straight from the restart.
Picking out her shot from 35-yards the ball floated towards the goal, it got the best of Powell and Yeates took her applause.
Brislington had some half opportunities but rarely challenged Kite while up the other end Nat Bavister grazed the crossbar.
Deep into injury-time Yeates’ afternoon came to a dramatic end as she was booked for a second time and was given her marching orders. Brislington’s Adele Brown was also shown a yellow.
Full-time and Southampton walked away with the three points in a convincing win.
Photo: John Bilcliff
