Saints Off to a Positive Start in their Bid for Promotion to the WSL
Two weeks into the season and Southampton are making a statement start to their WSL2 campaign. From emphatic goals scored to defensive contributions, the Saints are certainly a side to watch as they embark on their quest to gain promotion to the topflight.
First Game of the Season
Southampton Women began their 2026/27 season with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Durham at Maiden Castle Sports Park. After dominating the first half, the Saints found a breakthrough in the 49th minute from a scrappy six yard box - Ellie Brazil was in the right place at the right time to poke the ball home.
Just five minutes later, Abbie Ferguson was picked out by Brazil, finding the back of the net for Southampton’s second. A product of their academy sealed the victory for the visitors. Megan Collett (Southampton’s vice-captain for the 2026/27 season), produced an excellent finish from inside the box.
The Start of a Silverlake Era
Just a week later, the Saints saw out a 0-0 draw against Ipswich Town (taking place at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium), opening their home campaign with an all important point. This took them to fourth in the table - a convincing position which fans will be hoping the team can improve on.
Two opportunities came the home side's way in the opening minute, Mary Bashford drawing a save out of the Canadian, Lysianne Proulx. Freya Jupp headed her effort slightly over, beginning the match strongly and giving the home crowd an occasion to cheer about.
Many of Southampton’s best chances in the match came from their left wing, occupied by the energetic Ferguson - the Scotswoman joined the saints in July 2025 from Hibernian, having made 18 goal involvements in just 48 league appearances for the Hibees.
The Saints thought they found the opener in the 28th minute, but Goddard’s effort was ruled out due to a foul from the centre back on the Ipswich goalkeeper.
Both teams had plenty of chances to put the ball in the back of the net, but the final result was a goalless draw.
The Silverlake Stadium will be the location of the majority of Southampton’s home games in the WSL2 this season, following budget cuts which no longer made St. Mary’s Stadium their permanent home venue. However, this will soon start to feel like their new home if fans continue to turn up and support.
Upcoming Matches
The Saints face an away clash with Sunderland at 2pm this Sunday (20th of September) and will be hoping to get more points on the board to continue their unbeaten start to the season. The lasses began their campaign incredibly strongly with a 4-1 victory over Bristol City, before following up with a 2-1 win over Burnley - Sunderland currently sit top of the WSL2 table.
The vastly experienced Republic of Ireland international, Grace Moloney, made her move to the south coast from Sunderland after spending the 2025/26 season helping the lasses finish 8th in the league - she made some superb saves along the way.
Exactly a week later, Southampton will return to St.Mary’s Stadium (where they played all their home matches in the WSL2 last season), welcoming Nottingham Forest - the visitors have two draws from two games so far but the Saints’ will hope to keep putting three points on the board.