by Callum Ellis
Date: Wednesday 14th November, 2018
Venue: Test Park, Southampton
THREE goals and a star performance were the difference as University of South Wales 1st saw off Southampton Solent University 1st with a convincing victory on the south coast.
Lucy McDonough’s second half hat-trick ensured the three points returned over the bridge and back to South Wales.
The visitors had to remain patient in a quiet first half that saw chances hard to come by for both sides.
USW captain Ffion Llewellyn went close to breaking the dead-lock after 15 minutes with her side’s first real chance of the game.
She tried an effort from range which sailed just over Southampton goalkeeper Sara Luce’s crossbar.
McDonough also went close minutes later as she forced Luce into making a save from close range.
Alice Broadley’s cross mid-way through the first half evaded her team-mates and looked to be curling into the far corner of the net, but sailed just past the post.
Despite a goalless scorline heading into the interval, the visitors broke the dead-lock three minutes into the second half.
Llewellyn’s free-kick from distance was parried into the path of McDonough, who slotted home the rebound to put her side ahead.
McDonough grabbed her second of the afternoon 10 minutes after the restart. She was again in the right place at the right time to convert from close range.
The Southampton defence were unable to deal with the pace of the striker and were punished again inside the 62nd minute.
She raced into the hosts’ area and kept her composure to beat shot-stopper Luce at her near post and round off a positive afternoon for USW.
Kaseem Taylor’s side now turn their attention to the BUCS Trophy as they travel to the prestigious Oxford University next week.
Star player: Lucy McDonough
