The opening weekend of the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 brought goals, mistakes, red cards and upsets as teams got their brand-new seasons underway, with some leaving the weekend happier than others.
Southampton, Newcastle, Leicester and Sunderland all recorded impressive victories, with Sunderland’s dominant win over Bristol City firing them to the top of the table. Meanwhile, newcomers Watford, Burnley and Wolves will all go searching for their first BWSL 2 win back in the league.
The Headlines:
- Watford and Burnley kick off the new season with a goalless draw
- Southampton too clinical for Durham
- Newcastle show why they’re among the title favourites
- The Katy Watson Show for Sunderland
- Ipswich rescue point with last-gasp wondergoal
- Leicester off the mark
Watford and Burnley Share Points in Season Opener
Two new arrivals to the league, Watford and Burnley, kicked off the new season on Friday night with a goalless draw at Vicarage Road. Both sides entered the match up with new look squads following the transfer windows. Burnley had 10 new arrivals, while Watford made 13 signings, with the likes of Safia Middleton-Patel coming from Manchester United and Hannah Greenwood from Sunderland, as they looked to strengthen their defence.
With Watford returning, following their relegation in the 2024/25 season, and Burnley appearing in the BWSL for the first-time ever, both teams were pushing for a winner. Despite the scoreline, the match was far from a dull affair, with both sides creating opportunities to claim all three points. Watford goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel was particularly impressive, producing several crucial saves (3) to ensure her side began the campaign with a clean sheet, while also completing the most passes in the game at (66).
The clean sheet for both sides continues to add to Burnley’s impressive defensive record as well, having only conceded 15 goals in the entire season last year.
Set Pieces Prove Decisive as Southampton Beat Durham
Southampton travelled north to begin their season against a strong Durham side, but the Saints produced a clinical performance to secure all three points. The hosts dominated possession (59%) but struggled to create many clear cut chances against an experienced Southampton backline, with the players having all played together last year, only having 6 touches inside the Southampton penalty area.
Set pieces proved to be a decisive factor of the game, with three of the game’s four goals coming from dead-ball situations. Goals from Ellie Brazil, Abbie Ferguson, and Megan Collett put Southampton in control, while Sarah Wilson’s late goal from a corner proved to be nothing but a consolation for Durham.
Right winger, Ellie Brazil was the standout for Southampton with her deliveries causing all kinds of problems for the Durham backline. Brazil had more touches in the opposition box than Durham (7) while also creating the most chances (4). While this summer, may not have been the most exciting for Southampton players, and fans, there is no questioning that keeping key players that have played together before, will aid their campaign under Simon Parker.
Newcastle Welcome Wolves to BWSL 2 With Statement Win
Newcastle welcomed Wolves to the BWSL 2 with a completely dominant performance, immediately showing why they have been tipped by many as favourites for promotion this season. The Magpies’ rise in recent years has been exponential and the 11 incomings this summer shows the aims for this season. As for Wolves, they made 10 new signings themselves as they prepare for their inaugural season in the BWSL 2.
Their possession-based style of play was on full display as they controlled the game, having the majority of the possession (70%). The willingness to play out from the back allowed Newcastle to really control the game, and having defenders that are comfortable in possession helped that. Jemma Purfield completed 117 passes, while centre back partner Aoife Mannion had 110 as the duo helped set the tone from the back.
Two early goals, both created on the right-hand side, gave Newcastle a commanding advantage. Beth Lumdsen opened the scoring before turning provider for the second, with her delivery leading to a deflection off Wolves defender Georgia Marshall into her own net. Lumsden had an excellent outing, only playing 58 minutes but creating a game-high 5 chances.
Sunderland Blow Bristol City Away to Go Top
Perhaps the most anticipated game of the week between Sunderland and Bristol City lived up to the billing as the Robins were stunned away from home by a dominant Sunderland. Lotta Lindstrom gave the visitors the perfect start, but Sunderland's threat from wide soon caused problems, with Rhiannon Roberts scoring from a corner to level the game.
The Mackems then blew Bristol City away after the break, with Katy Watson starring from right wing, assisting Kitchin with a great drive down the right and cross, and then scoring twice as Sunderland ran out convincing winners and moved top of the league.
Bristol City really struggled to stop Katy Watson, and she was involved in every positive for Sunderland, completing the most dribbles (3), the most touches in the opposition box (7) and the most shots (3), while earning 20 points on WSL Fantasy.
Bristol City will really be hoping it is a one-off, having been involved in the title race last season, Head Coach Charlotte Heally will be looking to get a reaction from the side next week when they face Newcastle.
Hornby Screamer Denies Forest All Three Points
Nottingham Forest looked set for a perfect start at Portman Road after an Alana Murphy effort appeared to slip through the hands of Lysianne Proulx, and it seemed that was going to be the decider. Forest controlled possession (64%), had over double the accurate passes (433) and four more shots on targets (5) than the hosts.
But against the run of play, Ipswich rescued a point in dramatic fashion. With the clock ticking into the 93rd minute, Megan Hornby produced a potential Goal of the Season contender, firing a stunning strike into the top corner to snatch a draw for the hosts.
Hornby’s goal was the first time either Ipswich had been able to get the better of their fullback with Nottingham Forest fullback duo, of Ebba Hed winning 8/9 duels, and Cerys Brown recording 11 defensive contributions.
Foxes Hold Firm to Start BWSL 2 With Victory
Leicester got their BWSL 2 campaign off to a winning start after an own goal from Leanne Cowan put the Foxes ahead at Bramall Lane.
Following a tough BWSL campaign, where wins were hard to come by along with a summer rebuild, losing 14 first team players, Leicester were looking to bounce straight back up, sticking with Rick Passmoor in charge. The Foxes dominated the game having 61% possession, 21 shots, and 23 touches in the Blades’ box
Leicester were reduced to ten players for the final ten minutes when Emilia Pelgander picked up her second yellow card, but they held firm under late pressure. Sheffield United came agonisingly close to an equaliser in the dying seconds, with Jess Reavill’s effort hitting the inside of the post before rolling straight into the hands of Katie Keane, allowing Leicester to secure all three points and a clean sheet.
Leicester’s standout performer was left back Asmita Ale, who not only had the game high number of touches (87), won 7/8 ground duels, and completed 12 defensive contributions, as she added a 7 point haul to WSL fantasy.
