From the high of finishing the season with a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton FC Women have been hit with devastating news during the summer break.

Ahead of the 2026/27 season, Southampton are set to make significant cuts to their women’s and girl’s programme reaching around £500,000. Around £100,000 of these cuts are expected to directly impact the senior team with the large remainder of the cuts expected to impact the club’s women’s and girl’s programme, including the demotion of the academy from Category 1 to Category 2 status.

Crystal Palace finished second in the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL) this season after their 6-1 thrashing of 12th-placed Portsmouth secured them promotion to the Women’s Super League 1 after a year's break. 

After a close title race with Palace tied on points with Birmingham City in the table this season, the Eagles ensured they had the game in hand with Molly Sharpe coolly levelling the score in the first half after Meg Hornby put the visitors ahead. 

It was total dominance after the break, with Palace in total control after a double from Ashleigh Weerden and a triple threat from Kirsty Howat and Annabel Blanchard, with Elise Hughes hitting for six. 

Crystal Palace Women took the crown in an exciting and closely fought South London Derby at Selhurst Park. Turning the streets of Croydon red and blue, 3,822 fans made the journey to the club’s main stadium for this landmark fixture against Charlton Athletic, the South-East London rivals both looking to cement their place in promotion territory of the Barclays WSL2 table. 

With a family friendly fanzone, Eagles mascots dancing on the sidelines, and a cracking playlist (of course featuring the club's anthem ‘Glad all Over’), the crowd were in full voice, with fans of all demographics, new supporters to lifetime ones, wanting to see women's football on the main stage.

Crystal Palace Women moved into fourth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 after an emphatic 2-1 win over Bristol City at the VBS Community Stadium.

Palace, who had mixed results so far this season, looked to go one better than their rivals after their recent loss to Southampton. It was a close call between the teams in the league, with only four points separating them. 

Crystal Palace Women continued their winning momentum as they secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Durham in the Barclays Women's Super League (WSL 2) at the VBS Community Stadium. 

Durham looked the more dangerous team, pressing high and relentlessly attacking the Eagles' defence, but it was Palace that were triumphant in the end.  

Two goals from Molly Sharpe in the second half sealed the win, while a goal from forward Annabel Blanchard ensured the Eagles were in top form.

A club record league attendance of 7,561 are under the lights at St. Mary’s for a highly anticipated South Coast Derby in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 - the first league match of 2026.

The previous meeting between these two finished in a 5-2 victory for the Saints, painting Hampshire red.

The hosts are looking to climb up the table, starting the day in 7th with 15 points. Portsmouth come into this hoping to get back to winning ways, having taken only 1 point from their last 3 fixtures in the league.

Crystal Palace Women cruised to an unexpected 3-0 win over Birmingham City Women at the VBS Community Stadium on Sunday. 

Despite sitting in eighth place in the Barclays Women's Super League 2 table, the Eagles ensured they had the bragging rights over their rivals.

After a slow start, the Eagles were fired up, with Molly-Mae Sharpe giving them the lead. Two goals in two minutes in the second half from Shanade Hopcroft and Annabel Blanchard sealed Birmingham City's fate, who looked lacklustre at times and struggled to create chances.

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.

Crystal Palace Women sailed into second place in Group D after a convincing win over Ipswich Town in the Subway Women’s League Cup.

A double by Emma Watson and Allyson Swaby ensured the Eagles were on top form to reach the last group stage game in style.

Palace, who were third from bottom in the group after a heavy defeat by London City Lionesses, started strongly but were evenly matched by Ipswich’s defence and attacking play.

Crystal Palace Women were held to a 1–1 draw with Sunderland Women at the VBS Community Stadium in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2.

Sunderland opened the scoring in the ninth minute when forward, Katy Watson’s effort took a heavy deflection and looped past Palace goalkeeper, Shae Yañez to give the visitors an early lead. 

However, Palace hit back just four minutes later, as Kirsty Howat latched onto a through ball from Scottish international, Emma Watson and calmly lifted her finish over the advancing keeper to make it 1–1.

Vicky Losada is a thirty-four-year-old midfielder for Bristol City Women.

Losada is an experienced and technically gifted midfielder, known for her composure, vision and leadership on the pitch. Calm under pressure, she dictates the tempo of play with her precise passing and intelligent movement, helping her side transition smoothly from defensive to attack.

A natural leader with a wealth of experience at the highest level, Losada brings control and creativity to midfield, often setting the rhythm of the game.

Ellie Brazil plays as a forward for Southampton FC Women. Having joined the Saints in the summer, she is an exciting prospect who is wonderful with the ball at her feet.

She has been capped for England throughout her youth (from under-15 to under-23 level), proving her to be a confident player.

Club-wise, she currently plays for Southampton in the Barclays WSL 2 (the second tier of women’s football in England). Her journey is certainly a testament to her hard work and determination beyond the pitch.

Paige Peake is a twenty-three-year-old defender for Ipswich Town Women.

She is a composed and intelligent defender, recognised for her reading of the game and strong positional sense. Calm under pressure, she combines defensive solidity with the ability to play out confidently from the back, helping side transition smoothly into attack.

A natural leader, Peake is vocal and organised, setting the tone for those around her while remaining reliable in one-on-one situations. Still developing her game, she continues to grow in consistency and maturity, marking herself out as a key figure and a player with potential to play an influential role at the highest level.

Lexi Lloyd-Smith is a twenty-two -year-old forward/winger for Bristol City Women.

Known for her pace and direct attacking style, Lloyd-Smith thrives on driving at defenders and creating chances. She combines sharp movement with an eye for goal, making her a constant threat in the final third.

Energetic and relentless in her pressing, she not only pushes her team forward in attack but also sets the tone defensively. Still young, she continues to grow in confidence and consistency, emerging as an exciting talent capable of influencing big moments for her team.

Simone Magill is a thirty-year-old forward for Birmingham City Women. She made her move to the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 side this summer, and made an instant impact on their success.

Known for her intelligent movement and work rate in the final third, she is a forward who combines sharp finishing with a strong physical presence. Confident in linking play and pressing from the front, Magill adds attacking threat while contributing defensively. Bringing experience at both club and international level, she remains an influential figure capable of shaping games and inspiring those around her.

Mary Bashford is a twenty-year-old midfielder for Southampton FC Women This summer she joined the Saints on a permanent deal from Charlton Athletic.

 Known for her energy and composure in central areas, she is comfortable on the ball and presses aggressively to drive at the opposition.

Offering balance in midfield, she links play between defence and attack. Still developing her game, Bashford is regarded as one of Southampton's young players capable of stepping up as the club continues to push forward in the women's game.

A crowd of 3,896 travelled to St Mary’s Stadium for Southampton's opening fixture in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 against newly promoted Ipswich Town.

Last season, Ipswich finished top of the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division by six points, with an impressive +79 goal difference.

The last meeting between these two sides was a mere three years ago in the FA Women’s Premier League Premier Division, with a 2-1 win for Southampton. The Saints will be looking for history to repeat itself. 

First formed in 1970 (unaffiliated with the men’s team), Southampton FC Women won the WFA Cup (now Women’s FA Cup) eight times. However, due to financial issues within the men’s team, the club withdrew support for the women’s team. Thankfully, under new ownership, the women were able to thrive again. 

In the 2018/19 season, they played in the Southern Region Premier Division and were crowned champions with a perfect campaign of eighteen wins. Southampton managed to win the Southern Region Women’s Football League Cup, adding another trophy to their cabinet.

Since then, Southampton Women have risen to the second tier of English football, the Barclays WSL 2 (formerly known as the Barclay’s Women’s Championship). Their home matches are played at St Mary’s Stadium.