Match detail: Chelsea v Southampton Saints - 15/08/2004

Match detail: Chelsea v Southampton Saints

Match Date: Sunday, 15th Aug 2004 at 12:30
Competition: League - FA Women's Premier League Southern Division
Opponent: Southampton Saints
Venue: Beveree Stadium, Hampton
Attendance: unknown
Half Time: 2 - 0
Result: Won 4 - 2

Team: Amber Cook Laura Cooper (C) Nicki de la Salle Emma Delves Nina Downham Carly Eagles Sam Jones Lisa Langrish Kyproulla Loizou Kirsty Morley (GK) Serina Regali Leanne Small Clare Stevens Ana Wagner

Chelsea Goal Scorers: Nina Downham (11) Leanne Small (42) Nicki de la Salle (53) Leanne Small (82) Southampton Saints Goal Scorers: None

From Archive.com (www.chelsealadies.com) -------------------------------- Four players made their debuts for the blues, Kyproulla Loizou in defence, former Saint Emma Delves, Leanne Small (pictured left) and Lisa Langrish in a new look midfield. But it was ‘oldie’ Nina Downham, last season’s top goal scorer, which got the Blues first after just 10 minutes, when she ran at the shaky Southampton defence beating two defenders before driving home from 12 yards. Southampton found it impossible to contain the nippy striker and when she again broke away down the right and squared to Leanne Small, the ex-Watford striker coolly finished for 2-0 just before half time. Southampton pulled a goal back just after the break when a cross come shot some how looped up over the Chelsea keeper to give the saints hope. However, this was short lived when a great run by Clare Stevens down the left wing and a hard low drive across the box was met brilliantly by Nicki de la Salle for 3-1. But again Southampton reduced the arrears against the run of play, when the Saints striker ran on to a through ball to calmly slot home, despite the attention of 2 defenders. Leanne Small secured the points 8 minutes from time with a superb strike after the saints defence failed to clear a corner. chelsealadies.com Player of the Match: Leanne Small: Two vital goals and a great League debut for the ex-Watford player. George’s Comments. "A great result against a good Southampton side. I was pleased with the new players who seemed to have settled very quickly. Emma Delves conducted her self superbly after some tough tackling from her former team mates. But this was a great team performance. There is still a lot to work on but we showed great commitment and this was the sort of game we would have lost last season. We must build on this and continue to work hard. We will not play many better sides this year, but we must make sure we continue to win against the less fancied sides." --------------------------------