Northampton Town Women Development ended pre-season with a 3-0 defeat at home to London Seaward Reserves on Sunday afternoon.
Three goals in quick succession before half-time were enough for the Cobblers’ opponents to secure a victory.
The hosts started brightly with Charlotte Murphy and Georgia Tear linking-up on a number of occasions early on.
Tear had three long-range efforts saved by the ‘keeper whilst Murphy and Eve Braddock were also denied in this period.
Maisie Thompson stayed alert and was quick off her line to snuff-out a few half-chances as London Seaward grew into an evenly-contested contest.
The visitors eventually opened the scoring in scrappy fashion when Thompson made an initial double save only for a third attempt to find the back of the net.
A mis-hit cross from the touchline was caught by the wind and dipped into the far corner as London Seaward doubled their lead two minutes later.
They extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time, an attacker running onto a through ball and slotting past the onrushing Thompson.
As they had in the first, the Cobblers began the second half on top and created multiple chances.
Abbie Reboul dispossessed a defender and pulled the ball back to substitute Eva Ladyman, whose far post effort was well-saved by the ‘keeper before Kitty Crouch was stopped one-on-one and fired a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the crossbar.
The striker showed great strength to overpower her marker, reach Player of the Match Tear’s through ball and fire towards the bottom corner late on, but the effort drew another fine save from the ‘keeper.
Despite their promising build-up play, the Cobblers were unable to prevent London Seaward from keeping a clean sheet and winning the friendly.
The Devs begin their defence of the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Division One South title at home to Cardea next week.
Starting XI: Thompson, Carter, Cox, Koolen, Speed, Gale, Braddock, Tear, Reboul, Murphy, Crouch
Substitutes: de Villiers, Rylance, Finn, Maddocks, Ladyman