Southampton aim to bolster mid-table position and see out the year in style

This is the Saints’ third season in the Barclays WSL 2 (formerly known as the Barclays Women’s Championship), after gaining back-to-back promotion in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns.

They have played nine league fixtures so far, having secured three of each possible result: winning, drawing and losing. This means they have twelve points on board and sit in sixth place.

With two fixtures remaining in 2025, Simon Parker’s side look to build upon recent performances and see the year out with six points in six.

Recent form 

Southampton began their campaign at home with a 4-0 win over newly promoted Ipswich Town, in front of a crowd of 3,896 at St. Mary’s Stadium. Speaking post-match, manager, Parker praised the support and growing fanbase:  

“They [the crowd] really drive us on.” 

Michaela Mcalonie has had a brilliant start to life in red and white, scoring three goals in her first two south-coast derbies (matches against Portsmouth). A skilful and exciting player, she is definitely one to watch as the season develops. 

Currently sitting mid table, the Saints will hope to push on and contend for promotion. The top two teams will automatically make the step up to the Barclays Women’s Super League next season (the top-flight of women’s football in England). In the new format, the third placed team face a play-off match against the twelfth-place finisher in the WSL: the winner of this will take their place in the WSL. This allows teams like Southampton to push on and aim for a higher placed finish.

Elsewhere, in the League Cup, Southampton were drawn in Group C alongside Brighton & Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth and West Ham United. 

The Saints missed out on qualification to the knockouts, finishing this campaign in fourth place with only three points, secured in their opening 1-0 victory over south-coast rivals, Portsmouth. Against two tough WSL opponents (Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham), Parker’s side struggled to settle into the matches, losing 3-0 and 5-0 respectively. However, they gained valuable experience lining up against competitors in the topflight.

What’s next

Southampton’s next fixture in the WSL 2 comes against Newcastle United on Monday the 8th of December. The Magpies are fourth in the league, but only one point separates these two teams.

This is a highly anticipated match, which will take place under the lights at The Gateshead International Stadium and should be a thriller. With Newcastle inspired by their back-to-back promotions, reaching the WSL 2, they are a driven side with their sights set on moving up to the top tier; this proves them a challenging opposition for Parker’s Southampton.  

The last time they faced each other, it was a 2-2 draw with the leveller for Newcastle coming in the 94th minute. The Saints look to seek revenge from this last-minute equaliser, aiming to bring three points back to the coast.