Durham and Southampton met in the opening fixture of the women's league campaign on Saturday, with the visitors taking all three points in a 3-1 victory that set the tone for the new season.
The match opened with cautious energy, though by then it was clear Southampton wanted to impose themselves early. A substitution at the interval brought on C. Peplow for Durham, and just two minutes after the break M. McComasky picked up a yellow card for a late challenge.
And here's the thing — the goals started coming in quick succession. E. Brazil struck first at 49 minutes, followed by A. Nicoll's goal at 54. Durham pushed back, but Southampton's second half substitutions kept their legs fresh. E. Morran came on at 62, while L. Watson and M. McComasky were replaced at 72.
The visitors sealed the result late on. M. Collett found the net at 86 minutes, and S. Wilson added a second at 88, with both goals coming after a flurry of changes — F. Jupp, G. Ede and G. Ayre all came on around the 76th minute mark.
By then, the standings told their own story. Southampton sit second after opening with a win, while Durham are tenth having tasted defeat in their first outing. Three points versus zero — that's the gap at the top and bottom.
There was something familiar about this encounter too. The two sides drew 0-0 back in March, and while the result has changed, the pattern of tight matches between them seems to be taking shape.