it’s matchday
Welcome back to the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton, where Crystal Palace Women will host Southampton in our Women’s Super League 2 home opener!
After a busy summer transfer window which has seen six new players and a new manager join the Eagles, it’s finally matchday in South London.
Kicking off this afternoon at 14:00 BST, there will be something for everyone here at the VBS. Situated just beyond the Collingwood Road Stand at the far side of the stadium, the Fanzone will open at 12:30 BST (90 minutes before kick-off).
Head to the raffle to be in with a chance of winning a 2025/26 home shirt signed by the Palace Women’s team, alongside two other amazing prizes. Today’s game will also be the first at the VBS where fans can enjoy an alcoholic beverage in their seat and watch the match unfold.
As always, get behind the team–and be loud, be proud...be Palace!
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Scan here to view a full matchday supporters’ guide.
favourite player: Annabel blanchard
age: 6
reya iles
favourite player: Annabel blanchard age: 9
jopotter
Welcome to the VBS Community Stadium for our first home game of the 2025/26 season. It’s an honour to be here, and I am so proud and excited to lead this fantastic group of players this season.
Iwant to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has come out to support us today. Your presence means the world, and we know we’re building something special with you right behind us.
The excitement has been building all summer. This is not just a new season for the club, but a new era for us as a team. We’ve been working tirelessly in pre-season, focusing on building a style of play that is both dynamic and relentless.
The atmosphere in training has been fantastic, and the players have shown a phenomenal attitude and commitment to everything we are trying to achieve. I’ve been so impressed with how quickly they have bought into our new philosophy and how eager they are to improve every single day.
The excitement has been building all summer, and it’s a moment we’ve all been looking forward to. This pre-season has been an incredible journey, not just for me in my new role, but for the entire squad. We’ve worked tirelessly, both on and off the pitch, to get ready for this campaign, and the bond that has been forged between the players and staff is something truly special.
The new players who have joined us have settled in brilliantly, adding a
new dimension to our squad, and the camaraderie in the group is fantastic. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of every individual. There’s a real sense of unity and shared purpose that has been a joy to witness. Today’s game against Southampton is the culmination of all that hard work and the perfect opportunity to show what we’ve been building. The atmosphere around the club has been electric, and the players feel that energy. We are so excited to step out onto the pitch in front of you all and mark the beginning of this new chapter together.
Last week, we began our league campaign with a difficult away fixture against Charlton. It wasn’t the result we wanted, it was a tough battle, and while we are obviously disappointed not to have picked up any points, there were certainly a lot of positives to take away. We showed flashes of the quality and resilience that I know this squad possesses. The effort and work rate were there for all to see, and we created some good opportunities that, on another day, would have found the back of the net.
While the result was a setback, it’s just the first step on a long journey, and we have already analysed what we need to work on. We’ve reviewed
the game and the players are incredibly motivated to put things right, and there is no better place to do that than here, in front of our home supporters. Their attitude in training this week has been exceptional, and they are hungry to deliver a performance you can all be proud of.
Today’s game against the Saints presents a fresh challenge, and we are determined to show you what we’re all about. We know that every team in this league is a tough opponent, and we will need to be at our best from the first whistle to the last.
My message to the players before every game is simple: play with passion, play with courage, and play for the badge. We want to entertain you, but more importantly, we want to win for you.
To the fans: thank you again for your incredible support. You are the heartbeat of this club. Your energy and passion are a huge motivator for us, and we look forward to sharing this season’s highs and lows with you. We hope you enjoy the game.
aimee everett
Dear Palace fans, It’s an amazing feeling to be back here at the VBS Community Stadium and to be writing this column for our first home game of the season. The buzz around the ground is fantastic, and as players, we can’t wait to get out there and feel the energy of the crowd. Nothing compares to playing in front of our own supporters, and we’ve been counting down the days until this moment.
for me, this game is even more special. The back end of last season was incredibly tough, as I had to watch from the sidelines from February onwards. Missing out on every game was a difficult experience, so to be fit again and wear the captain’s armband for our first home fixture is a feeling I can’t quite put into words. I’m just so happy to be playing again and to be back in the heart of the action with my teammates. I missed every single minute of it, and I’m ready to give my absolute all for this club and for you, the fans.
We’ve had a really positive pre-season under our new manager, Jo Potter. The coaching staff has brought a new level of professionalism and a fresh perspective that the whole squad has really embraced. Jo’s vision for how she wants us to play is clear, and we’re all excited to put that into practice. She’s built a strong, competitive environment, and you can feel the determination and belief growing within the squad with every training session.
Our season opener against Charlton last week was a tough one. Losing 1-0 was a frustrating start, especially given the amount of hard work that went into it. We all felt that we deserved more from the game, but sometimes in football, the result doesn’t reflect the performance. We’ve analysed the game, learned from our mistakes, and are ready to bounce back. The character in this squad is second to none, and we’re ready to put on a performance that shows our true colours today.
This past week in training has been all about putting that right. There’s been a real edge to every session, a collective determination to get the job done for our first home crowd. We’ve reviewed the game meticulously, identifying areas where we can improve our decision-making and be more clinical in the final third. Every player has been hungry to work on those details, to be better than we were last week. That’s what this squad is all about - we learn, we grow, and we come back stronger.
We know the fans will be loud and proud today, and we want to match that passion on the pitch. We’re not just playing for three points; we’re playing to repay your belief in us.
We know you’ll be with us every step of the way, making this stadium a fortress. Thank you for your unwavering support. We’ll leave everything out on the pitch for you today.
Enjoy the match, and let’s make some noise!
last time out
Despite a promising first half, Palace Women lost 1-0 to Charlton at The Valley, thanks to a second-half goal from Emma Bissell.
The Eagles controlled the game in the early stages, creating several chances. New signing Emma Watson almost opened her account in the 33rd minute, but her shot was deflected and palmed away by Charlton keeper Sophie Whitehouse.
Just minutes later, Abbie Larkin found new forward Kirsty Howat, who was unable to keep her shot down. Ashleigh Weerden also came close with a dipping effort just before halftime, but Whitehouse was equal to it. Charlton’s best
chance of the half came just a minute before the whistle when a clear shot from Jodie Hutton sailed over the bar, keeping the score 0-0 at the break.
Charlton managed to take the lead in the 55th minute after a mixup at the back. After an initial save from Shae Yañez, Bissell fired into an empty net. The Addicks should have had a second on 69 minutes, but Yañez rushed out to smother the ball after a poor touch from Lucy Fitzgerald.
Charlton went down to 10 players on 89 minutes, but their resolute defence kept the Eagles at bay in the closing stages.
charlton √ crystal palace
/ The Valley
southampton fc
the saints
parker’s return to st.mary’s
Simon Parker was announced as the new Head Coach of Southampton Women in July, after spells at Lewes, Sport Clube União Torreense and most recently Blackburn Rovers. Having previously managed the club in a successful first spell between 2016-2018, his appointment in July 2025 marks a new chapter for the Saints.
a new captain
Following her return from a successful loan spell at Charlton Athletic, Atlanta Primus has been named as the new captain for the 2025/26 season, with Amy Goddard appointed as her vice-captain, marking a new era of
leadership for the Saints. Primus, a fan favourite and a key figure in the squad, has spoken of the immense honour she feels in being chosen to lead the team. She said: “To be selected as captain is a huge honour, and it is a privilege to be able to lead the girls.”
building on last season
The 2024/25 season was one of transition for the club, with Southampton finishing in 8th place in the Women’s Championship with 21 points. The top scorers for the campaign were Rianna Dean and Molly Pike, who both netted five goals each. With 12 new signings through the door in the summer, the 2025/26 campaign in the WSL2 is looking exciting for the club.
new faces in so14
Southampton were incredibly active in the transfer market this summer, bringing in a total of 12 new players to bolster the squad. Notable signings include Scottish champions Michaela McAlonie and Abbie Ferguson from Hibernian, Ellie Hack, Kiera Sena, and former West Ham United striker Emma Harries. They also secured Ashanti Akpan on a season-long loan from Chelsea, adding further quality to the midfield.
0-2 1-4
Mary Bashford was an exciting new addition to the Southampton squad this summer, joining after a successful career with Charlton Athletic. The hard-working, box-to-box midfielder has already made an immediate impact, announcing her arrival with a sensational brace on her competitive debut against Ipswich Town. A key part of the Saints' new era, the 20-year-old’s energy and attacking prowess will be a huge asset this season.
“We knew that we wanted to start strong and start fast, and so to get the early goal and then to be 3-0 up at half-time was huge for us. Once that first one went in, it was also really positive that they went for more because in the past, maybe they would have got one and then you sat in.”
S. Parker
HOW THE EAGLES SOAR.
Kiera
