Women's Preview: Saints vs Bristol City
Southampton FC Women kick off their 2024/25 Barclays Women's Championship season against Bristol City at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday.
THE MATCH
Saints vs Bristol City
Barclays Women's Championship
St Mary's Stadium
Sunday 8th September, 2pm
Buy your tickets here
The new campaign has finally arrived, as Southampton are prepared for action after a summer of change on and off the pitch.
Sunday's game will be the first competitive outing of the new era with Remi Allen in charge and a host of summer signings available to make their official club debuts.
Six new faces arrived in the off-season, with the likes of Aimee Palmer and Rachel Rowe adding significant top flight experience to the group.
Meanwhile, Young Lionesses Fran Stenson, Tara Bourne, and Freya Gregory, along with Scottish youth international Rachel Brown, have all injected more exciting talent to a refreshed squad.
Saints come into the season after a victory over Oxford United and well-battled defeats to Bristol City, Tottenham, and Arsenal in their pre-season programme.
Saints' season opener is just around the corner.
Bristol City are back in the second tier after suffering relegation from the Women's Super League last season.
They've also endured a period of change as long-term Head Coach Lauren Smith - previous Championship winner with the Robins - parted ways with the club just two weeks before the season opener.
With assistant Loren Dykes now in interim charge, their pre-season scheduled concluded with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Summer signings Greta Humphries, Lexi Lloyd-Smith, Harley Bennett and Jackie Burns have all been confirmed to be in contention for Sunday’s meeting.
FAMILIAR FACES
Sunday will provide an instant reunion with Lloyd-Smith, who departed Saints in the summer before joining the Robins.
There is also a handful of former Bristol City players in the ranks on the South Coast; new signing Aimee Palmer had two spells at the club and won the Championship with them in the 2022/23 campaign.
Jemma Purfield, Molly Pike, and Benedicte Haaland have all featured for Bristol City over the years.
Jemma Purfield spent a season in the WSL with Bristol City.
PREVIOUS MEETING
The two sides met in cup action last season, on a rain-soaked evening in Bristol during the Continental Cup group stages.
A Rachel Furness header was cancelled out by Lexi Lloyd-Smith's clever flick, before Saints earned a bonus point thanks to some penalty shootout heroics.
SUNDAY'S OFFICIALS
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
Assistant Referee: Chloe-Ann Small
Assistant Referee: Phoebe Horner
Fourth Official: Lauren Whiteman
MANAGER PREVIEW
Speaking ahead of her first official fixture in charge, new Head Coach Remi Allen shared her anticipation for Sunday's season opener.
"I'm so excited that the season is finally here." she said, "it's been a hectic pre-season since I arrived but I believe the squad is in a good place now and we're raring to go on Sunday.
"I got a taste of it last week against Arsenal, but to be stepping out at St Mary's for the first time in a competitive game as Head Coach will be an honour.
"We know Bristol City will provide a tough first test, but it's one we're relishing to kick the season off.
"We need more and we want more fans coming along, they're massive for our support and I hope we have a good crowd behind us to start the season together as they will be so important."
TICKET NEWS
Tickets for this fixture, and all home games going forward, will be on the Saints Tickets App.
Supporters should download the app and their tickets prior to coming to St Mary's Stadium.
Match tickets are priced at £10 for Adults and £4 for Under-18s.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
For further matchday information and FAQs, supporters are advised to read our dedicated article.
CAN’T MAKE IT ON SUNDAY?
There will be live coverage and plenty of behind-the-scenes access on our dedicated social media accounts, with full match highlights to follow on Monday:
This season, there will also be a full match replay available on the Barclays Women's Championship YouTube channel 24 hours after the game.
There's still chance to purchase your Southampton FC Women's season tickets ahead of the 2024/25 season, to catch all 10 home games in the Barclays Women's Championship!
