Southampton: February

Welcome back to St. Mary’s and the February update. I’ll get straight into the games.

Tranmere Rovers Vs Southampton
Date: 01.02.2011
Competition: npower League 1
Match day: 30
Location: Prenton Park, Birkenhead

Line-Up: Davis, Richardson, DeMerit, Jaidi, Dickson *MOM*, Dabo, Dossevi, Dorado (Livermore 83), Lallana (Holmes 69), Seuntjens (Connolly 69), Barnard

We made our way up to Birkenhead at the start of the month to play Lowly Tranmere. In a game we dominated from kick off to final whistle the goals were scored by Ousmane Dabo, Lee Barnard and Vivar Dorado.

Final Score: Tranmere Rovers 0 – 3 Southampton

Hartlepool United Vs Southampton
Date: 05.02.2011
Competition: npower League 1
Match day: 31
Location: Victoria Park, Hartlepool

Line-Up: Davis, Richardson, DeMerit, Fonte, Dickson, Livermore, Dossevi (Puncheon 45), Dorado *MOM*, Lallana (Holmes 80), Seuntjens (Dabo 69), Barnard

Next up was an away trip to mid table Hartlepool. We managed to get 3 points. Our only goal came in the second half when Jason Puncheon broke away and slipped in Vivar Dorado to finish.

Final Score: Hartlepool United 0 – 1 Southampton

Southampton (2) Vs AFC Bournemouth (2)
Date: 11.02.2011
Competition: Johnstones Paint Trophy
Round: Southern Final Leg 2
Location: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton

Line-Up: Davis, Richardson, DeMerit, Fonte, Dixon, Livermore (Puncheon 78), Dabo, Dossevi, Dorado (Baxter 72), Lallana *MOM*, Barnard (Lambert 78)

We played the second leg of the Southern final of the Johnstones Paint Trophy at home. Bournemouth had held us 2 all at their place so we knew all we needed was to conceded less than 2 goals and not lose to go through. I expected another close match. So when Adam Lallana pounced on a loose ball to smash us into the lead on 17 minutes I was ecstatic. We were all over Bournemouth and I was looking for another goal to secure our position. And when Dossevi crossed the ball to Lee Barnard who finished well I got it. We even had time to add two more through Jose Baxter and Rickie Lambert respectively, and after my tension at the start we had taken apart Bournemouth to reach the final.

Final Score: Southampton (6) 4 – 0 (2) AFC Bournemouth

Southampton Vs Ipswich Town
Date: 16.02.2011
Competition: FA Cup
Round: 4^th Round Replay
Location: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton

Line-Up: Davis, Richardson, Fonte, DeMerit, Dickson (Geary 76), Livermore (Baxter 76), Dabo, Puncheon, Dorado *MOM*, Lallana, Barnard (Lambert 85)

After managing to get a draw at Portman Road I was quietly optimistic for the replay, though the realistic side of me made me think that my terrific 35 game unbeaten run was about to come to an end. So when Vivar Dorado converted an Adam Lallana cross after just 7 minutes I was delighted. Even more so when the scorer of the first goal turned provider for the second allowing Puncheon to apply the finish. I started to panic a little when the referee gave what appeared to be a harsh decision against Jay DeMerit when he tackled Jason Scotland in the area. But Scotland missed from the spot and we retained our 2 goal cushion. And when Dorado added a third from the edge of the area just before half time I was ecstatic. After the break we managed to keep Ipswich at bay as well as threatening ourselves.

Final Score: Southampton 3 – 0 Ipswich Town

Fulham Vs Southampton
Date: 19.02.2011
Competition: FA Cup
Round: 5^th
Location: Craven Cottage, London

Line Up: Davis, Richardson, DeMerit, Fonte (Jaidi 80), Dickson, Livermore, Dabo (Lallana 72), Baxter, Dorado (Barnard 72), Puncheon, Lambert

Next in the FA Cup we travelled to premier league Fulham. We weren’t expecting a win. And when we were 2 – 0 down at half time we knew it wasn’t going to be our day. Fulham scored a third early in the second half and although we pulled one back late on through Barnard it was too little too late. Our unbeaten run of 36 games came to a valiant end against a Premier league team.

Final Score: Fulham 3 – 1 Southampton

Southampton Vs Dagenham & Redbridge
Date: 23.02.2011
Competition: npower League 1
Match day: 32
Location: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton

Line Up: Davis, Richardson, DeMerit, Fonte, Harding, Dossevi, Basturk (Lambert 75), Hammond (Dabo 83), Holmes (Lallana 59), Baxter, Barnard

After our cup efforts the last 3 games our squad were absolutely shattered come the visit of lowly Dagenham and Redbridge, and it showed when we conceded on 18 minutes. We fought back as hard as we could and pulled level on 81 minutes through Dan Harding but we couldn’t finish them off and although we managed to keep our league run going, it wasn’t good enough against a team fighting relegation.

Final Score: Southampton 1 – 1 Dagenham & Redbridge

AFC Bournemouth Vs Southampton
Date: 26.02.2011
Competition: npower League 1
Match day: 33
Location: Dean Court, Bournemouth

Line Up: Davis, Richardson, DeMerit, Fonte, Harding (Geary 86), Dabo, Livermore (Baxter 86), Dossevi *MOM*, Dorado, Lallana, Barnard (Lambert 69)

To end the month we faced Bournemouth for the 4^th and what we hoped to be the final time this season (although they are fighting hard for the play-offs). We took the lead on 16 minutes, Dossevi cutting in from the right to score his first goal in Southampton colours. Despite the fans original scepticism they were now loving him. Bournemouth scored straight from the kick-off when the ball broke in the area and Michael Symes finished. We had the lead back just before half time when Dorado attacked a cross from our Togolese winger at front post and beat the keeper. We looked like we were hanging on for the win but Bournemouth Levelled with 4 minutes to go when Ryan Garry headed home from a corner. We piled everyone forward looking for the 3 points and we got them thanks to a late  late goal from Jose Baxter. 3 points was just what the doctor ordered.

Final Score: AFC Bournemouth 2 – 3 Southampton

February review:
League position: 1st
Month Form: W W W W L D W
Top Goal scorer: Lee Barnard (19)
Highest Average: Jay DeMerit (7.50)
29 Games Unbeaten in the league

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