Barnet FC Ladies 4 Southampton Saints 0
FA Women's Premier League Southern Division
Sunday 1st October 2006
At Hanwell Town FC

Barnet FC Ladies returned to winning ways on Sunday with an impressive 4-0 victory against Southampton Saints. An excellent first half performance marked by four well taken goals was enough to ensure the three points that lifted the Bees to fifth place in the Southern Division table.

Barnet took the lead after 16 minutes. Sarah Wooliscroft tormented the Saints left-back, leaving her stranded with a combination of skill and pace. With the defender floundering in her wake, Wooliscroft whipped in an inch perfect cross that was met first time by young striker Maddy Hills, the ferocity of her shot leaving the goalkeeper with no chance of making a save. The strike was Hills first Barnet goal.

Two minutes later and the Bees had doubled their advantage. After the Southampton defence had failed to deal completely with another Barnet raid the ball fell to Ann Harvey, 25 yards out in the middle of the goal. Harvey hit a shot of such accuracy and power that it was still climbing as it hit the roof of the net.

Barnet threatened to run riot at this stage and Clare Stevens hit another ferocious shot that dipped just over the bar. However, the Bees did not have long to wait before increasing their lead, Wooliscroft scoring their third goal in a devastating eight minute spell. A free-kick from the Barnet left by Beth Curtis was met at the far post by Annie Barratt. Barratt headed back across the goal into the path of Wooliscroft whose powerful header sailed into the net. It was the influential midfielder's second goal of the season.

Beth Curtis forced a fine save from the visiting goal-keeper after unleashing a powerful shot to end a trademark run into the heart of the Southampton defence.

After 40 minutes, Maddy Hills added her second and Barnet's fourth goal with a fine individual effort. The young forward weaved her way around the Saints defenders and fired a low shot into the corner of the net.

The second half was largely uneventful with the match already won by the interval. The Bees defence remained resolute to record its first clean sheet of the season, whilst further attempts on goal by the Barnet strikers were saved by the impressive visiting goalkeeper.

Barnet: Jess Devoti, Vicky Elcome, Clare Stevens, Ann Harvey, Katie Wicka, Annie Barratt, Sarah Wooliscroft, Maddy Hills, Claire Thomas (Katie O'Donoghue 71 mins), Beth Curtis (Louisa Richards 74 mins), Hayley Johnson.

Goalscorers: Hills (16, 40 mins), Harvey (18 mins), Wooliscroft (24 mins).