Durham Women were made to settle for a point in their first game of 2023 as they were held by Southampton.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, the best opportunities fell to the hosts who enjoyed some strong spells of pressure.
But so too did the Saints, who similarly to their hosts were looking to bounce back from defeat last time out.
Given both sides had been on the end of disappointing results last weekend, it was perhaps little surprise that the opening to the encounter was cagey and hard-fought.
Indeed, it took almost 20 minutes for the first chance to arrive when Sarah Robson glanced a header narrowly wide of the back post from a corner.
Lily Crosthwaite then fired straight at Kayla Rendell, before Naoisha McAloon did well to block Megan Wynne’s effort at the other end.
The best chance of the first half came in its dying embers, as Mollie Lambert curled narrowly wide after surging into the box.
And that moment of promise acted as a catalyst for a strong start to the second half, as Durham piled on the pressure.
Saoirse Noonan sent an early effort wide before Lambert saw an attempt well-blocked by the imposing Rendell.
Laura Rafferty then had to clear Noonan’s header off the line – before the tide started to turn a little bit.
Becky Salicki did well to block a rasping drive as Southampton grew into the game, with McAloon then tipping Ella Morris’ strike wide.
Both sides showed plenty of endeavour to get forward late on but, as they had been for the majority of the game, chances struggled to come and the spoils were shared.

Recap

STARTING ELEVEN
Durham W vs Sunderland W

Video

Details

Date Time League Season Full Time
January 22, 2023 12:00 pm BWC 2022_2023 90'

Ground

Maiden Castle, Durham
City of Durham, County Durham, North East England, England, DH1 3SE, United Kingdom

Results

Club1st Half2nd HalfGoalsOutcome
Durham W000Draw
Southampton W000Draw

Durham W

1Naoisha McAloon Goalkeeper
2Georgia Robert Defender
3Lauren Briggs Midfielder
4Mollie Lambert Midfielder
5Sarah Wilson Defender
6Sarah Robson Midfielder 66'
7Beth Hepple Midfielder
8Maria Farrugia Forward
10Rio Hardy 23 Forward
11Bridget Galloway 20 Forward
12Lily Crosthwaite Forward
14Becky Salicki Defender
15Dee Bradley Defender
16Ellie Christon Defender
17Hannah Greenwood Defender
18Grace Ayre Defender 54'
20Saoirse Noonan 11 Forward
23Jess Clarke 10 Midfielder
30Tatiana Saunders Goalkeeper