Chloe Tucker reflected on the external factors and key moments that wrote the story of Southampton Women’s FC's 2-1 win over Ebbsfleet United in the Women’s FA Cup.

There were times when the game could have gone either way, but it was the Sirens who scored the winner deep into extra-time through January signing Summer Kilby.

The co-captain said: “We definitely made it hard for ourselves at times once again with getting into the final third and putting the ball in the back of the net.

“There were a lot of external factors that impacted us getting the win early doors but credit to Ebbsfleet their tactical and technical side was fantastic with their work rate, their heart, their fans.

“We worked hard, finally got there and it’s a good learning curve for when we come up against bigger teams and we go behind that we can do it.

It was a tightly contested game with Ellie Parker making several crucial saves including tipping a powerfully struck Amy Ross shot over the bar after Rachel Okoro’s equaliser and Kilby’s winner.

On those pivotal points Tucker said: “The equaliser was massively key because the longer we waited the harder it gets, the more hope they get.

“Ellie made some fantastic saves; she’s been practising those in training tipping my shots over the bar, so I’ll take a little credit for that as well.

“A red card for a young player who hasn’t experienced that before and if it hasn’t affected her, I’ll be shocked.

I think it was a bit harsh and there were moments in the game where we should have had penalties or there should have been bookings, but they weren’t given.

“They have chosen to send Jas off and that’s more hope for Ebbsfleet, but the girls stepped up and Summer put the ball in the back of net.”

Following the win Southampton were drawn at home in the Second Round against FA Women’s National League Southern Premier side London Bees and the defender looks at it as a “great test” for the team.

“We’re finally at home that’s two away games that seems like the rolling theme for us as last year we were away a lot but to be at home with our own fans against a team that are perhaps are not getting the results that they probably could.

“Being the underdog makes it a much better game than playing someone from your league or playing someone, you don’t know or are not really sure how they are going to set up.

“It’s going to be a good test for us and hopefully our heart and hope pushes us through, we are the Ebbsfleet in this match and it’s our time to shine.”

Before the Bees visit the south coast the Sirens take on Winchester City Flyers in the Hampshire Women’s Senior Cup on Sunday, November 20th.

They are another Tier 5 side competing in the Southern Region Premier Division although having a tricky start to the season with just one league win which came against fellow Hampshire side Eastleigh in the Community.

The County Cup provides a new chance for the team to earn some silverware with the team still in four competitions outside of the league.

Tucker said: “Every time I have played them their quality has gotten better and we have lowered our standards which is disappointing.

“I think it is a chance for us to give players minutes; people who have been out through sickness and injury to give them a runout and get the win.

“The Hampshire Cup is a big thing and hopefully we can win.

“It would be nice to have as many finals as possible, we are in so many cups this year.

“The League Plate we have a good chance of going far in that, we’ve got the SDFA Cup again we’d really like to push for that one.”

Southampton host Winchester City at Totton with the pitch to be confirmed.

Fixtures are always subject to changes in kick-off, date and venue keep up to date with any possible changes across our social media platforms and the website.