WOODLEY United slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Southampton in their first Southern Region Premier Division game with the Saints on Sunday.

United enjoyed the better of a goalless first half, twice being denied by Saints’ goalkeeper Kayla Rendell and seeing Amie Benton and Jodie Penny have shots blocked by defenders.

The second half got off the best possible start for Woodley with Benton putting Rendell under pressure which saw the keeper’s clearance fall to Rosie Page-Smith to calmly slot the ball inside the far post from 20 yards within a minute of the restart.

United had the better of the first half of the second period, but they were made to pay for failing to defend a short corner when Georgie Freeland headed home from short range to equalise.

Centre back Eva Thomas required substituting on 74 minutes and while United were getting used to the change, Freeland grabbed a second with 15 minutes remaining.

Despite Woodley responding well – including a melee following a corner twice which saw the ball cleared off the visitors’ goal line and blocked before being scrambled cleared – Saints sealed the win with their third goal when Freeland crossed for Ellie Chaffe to head home.

  • IN the Southern Region Premier Division, Barton Rovers put in a solid performance to dispose of Berkshire rivals Newbury 3-0.

After just three minutes Rachel Allwright slotted past the keeper to take the lead, and Rovers wasted several clear-cut chances to go further in front as they went into the break with just a solitary goal advantage.

The home side started the second half as the first, doubling their lead early on when Gemma Sims rose highest to head home from a corner.

Rovers dominated play and it was Allwright again who added further gloss to the scoreline 10 minutes from time.

Nicole Beesley and Sam Atkins were the stand-out performers for the away side.

In the Thames Valley Counties League Cup, Barton Rovers Royals had a tough away cup tie at table-toppers Abingdon Town and were knocked out 7-0.