SOUTHAMPTON Saints women's football team have suffered another triple raid at the hands of Fulham.

Scottish international Holly Anderson, club stalwart Marie O'Brien and talented, teenage striker Kelly Baker have all been tempted away by the lure of FA Women's Premier League National Division football.

Last year it was a similar story, with Fulham pillaging the south coast club for England senior international Corinne Yorston and England under-17 starlet Danni Bird. The Londoners also include ex-Saints goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne in their ranks and two years ago they wooed away midfielder Gemma Ritchie.

Saints manager Sue Lopez, whose side just missed on promotion back to the national top-flight last season, said: "It's a back-handed compliment in a way that, yet again, Fulham have raided our team for talent, but it doesn't help us recover our premier status."

On the plus side, Lopez has made two exciting signings, snapping up former Barnet and Jamaican international Ann Marie Collins and Poole-based goalkeeper Jo Chastney, who is in her second year at Brockenhurst College and was formerly with Bournemouth.

"Ann Marie will bring a lot of experience and class to the forward line, while Jo is the most promising keeper we've seen for a while," said Lopez. "They are ideal additions."

Saints have a pre-season friendly booked at Lewes this Saturday (July 31). Their FAWPL Southern Division campaign begins at Chelsea on August 15 and they have been drawn away to Tranmere Rovers in the League Cup on August 29.

A combination of Saints' first and reserve teams beat Wolfpack of Southern California 5-2 in a friendly at Stoneham Park last weekend. Nicki Watts scored twice and there was a goal apiece from Sophie Kingsley-Smith, Laura Stallard and Kim Whitcombe.

Saints goalkeeper Connie Brazier has been selected for the Welsh under-19 squad to play Northern Ireland twice next week - at Haverfordwest on August 3 and Llanelli on August 5.