SAINTS ace Ella Morris admitted her side must show Bristol City goalkeeper Fran Bentley “respect” while finding ways to exploit her when they meet again this weekend.

The 21-year-old shot-stopper impressed but could not keep Saints out during an FA Cup meeting in January, which saw the St Mary’s side victorious 1-0 over their Championship opponents in extra-time.

Bentley – who is yet to concede this season – was then only on loan at the Robins from Manchester United but signed permanently at BS3 this summer, now meeting a Saints team at the same level of league competition.

“Fran Bentley is in the England under-23s setup and is a great keeper, she’s got a great starting position so it’s something for us to watch out for,” Morris told the Daily Echo.

“But also to see how we can exploit that, while showing her respect as a great goalkeeper,” she added.

“Kayla (Rendell, Saints goalkeeper) is just the same, she kept us in the game last weekend and made some brilliant saves, coming out clearing through balls and will make it a great game.”

Morris and Rendell both featured as Saints picked up a first win at Championship level, defeating league-leaders Crystal Palace at main stadium Selhurst Park.

Bristol City now sit top of the division with three wins from three ahead of Saints visiting Ashton Gate on Sunday, September 25 (3PM).

Morris continued: “We’re pretty buzzing to be honest, Crystal Palace were top of the table and are title contenders and to go to a stadium like Selhurst Park – a Premier League stadium – we were pretty buzzing to come away with a result.”

Although, for many of the Saints group, the relentless nature of full-time professional football and the increased competition of the second division is new – but they can call on the experience of women’s football legend and former England assistant Marieanne Spacey-Cale.

“You can see the experience she has, she’s been assistant manager for Mark Sampson at the World Cup and her playing career as one of the top strikers,” Morris said.

“She always talks about having fire in the belly and ice in the head. You’ve got to be fuelled and ready to go but when it comes to it just relax and settle the play down. That’s something she has passed onto us this season.”

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