Women's Preview: Sunderland vs Saints
Southampton FC Women are on the road in the Barclays Women's Championship as they travel to Sunderland for matchday two on Sunday.
THE MATCH
Sunderland vs Saints
Barclays Women's Championship
Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground
Sunday 15th September, 2pm
Buy your tickets here
The 2024/25 season kicked off with a hard-fought draw for Saints, as they hosted last season's relegated WSL side Bristol City at St Mary's Stadium.
A stunning free-kick from debutant Aimee Palmer opened the scoring, before Lexi Lloyd-Smith equalised on her first return since leaving the club.
Palmer was one of six summer signings making their first competitive appearance for the club, along with Fran Stenson, Tara Bourne, Freya Gregory, Rachel Rowe, and Rachel Brown.
Palmer is mobbed by her teammates after scoring. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)
Sunderland suffered a heavy defeat in their first game of the season on an afternoon to forget against Birmingham City.
The Black Cats trailed 3-0 at the break, despite having an early chance themselves, with two more goals sealing the final scoreline with 20 minutes still to play.
Over the summer, the Barclays Women's Championship Player of the Season - Claudia Moan - departed the club for a switch to newly promoted rivals Newcastle, with Demi Lambourne signed as her replacement.
The shot-stopper is one of four summer signings, with striker Eleanor Dale arriving from Everton whilst Jessie Stapleton and Kiera Flannery have both joined on loan from West Ham United.
PREVIOUS MEETING
Saints suffered defeat in their last league trip to the North East with a narrow 1-0 loss, but were victorious in a 2-0 win in the Adobe Women's FA Cup.
Two goals from Katie Wilkinson were the difference that day, as was a solitary strike from the striker in 2023 when Saints claimed all three points in their first trip to Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.
SUNDAY'S OFFICIALS
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
Assistant Referee: Leoni Harland
Assistant Referee: Joshua Brayshaw
Fourth Official: Alexander Beeley
MANAGER PREVIEW
Speaking after her side's opening day draw with Bristol City, Remi Allen was defiant in her view that improvements were needed despite starting the season with a point.
"I think there's loads of things we could have done better." she insisted, "loads of areas of improvement but there's positives in terms of grinding out [the draw] and not conceding."
"One bad performance doesn't define our whole season, we've got a point on the board with loads of positives to take."
Looking for more after her first game in charge.
TICKET NEWS
Match tickets are priced at £12 for adults, with Under-16s and students priced at £3 - any Under-14s in attendance must be accompanied by an adult.
Sunderland have advised that payment at the gate will be available on the day but by card only, with tickets purchased online to be emailed digitally.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Further matchday information, including stadium access and parking, can be found in the hosts' dedicated supporters guide.
CAN’T MAKE IT ON SUNDAY?
Sunday's game will be streamed live on Sunderland's YouTube channel.
There will also 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 9 remaining home games in the Barclays Women's Championship!
