Women's Report: Nottingham Forest 0-3 Saints
Southampton FC Women ended their 2025/26 season with a flourish as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 away from home.
Saints got off to the perfect start after just 40 seconds when Michaela McAlonie rifled an unsaveable shot in off the crossbar to open the scoring in style.
A positive first half got even better when Megan Collett doubled the lead with a well-taken finish of her own just before the half hour mark.
Mary Bashford made herself Saints' top WSL2 goalscorer in the second half as she tapped home the third of the game.
Simon Parker made one change to his side as Abbie Ferguson returned to start in place of Amy Goddard, with a shift in formation back to four in defence as Milly Mott made a second successive start.
The day also belonged to the returning Emma Harries who made her long-awaited debut off the bench, after her ahead-of-schedule return from injury.
Saints' final day starters. (Photos: Stuart Martin)
Saints' aim for a strong finish to the campaign got off to the perfect start as they found themselves ahead after just 40 seconds in style through McAlonie's excellent finish.
High pressure from Abbie Ferguson forced a turnover in possession which fell to Saints' other Scottish star, who rifled a fierce strike in off the crossbar from the edge of the box to open the scoring.
The early opener put a spring in the step of the visitors, as McAlonie again tried her luck from distance along with Aimee Palmer who both missed the target with confident efforts.
Nottingham Forest had to wait until the 24th minute for their best opening of the half, as an equaliser against the run of play almost arrived from former Saint, Rachel Rowe.
A cross the from the left wing was flicked on by Rowe with a looping header that was tipped over the crossbar at full stretch by Fran Stenson.
Michaela McAlonie celebrates her stunning opener.
Before the hosts could turn the screw any further, Saints responded with their second goal and another stylish finish from Collett to double the lead.
A free-kick sent into the area was recycled by Ellie Brazil's header, which dropped to Collett who hooked a first-time finish into the far corner with excellent technique.
Saints saw out the half with relative ease, as a Chantelle Boye-Hlorkarh cross almost caught Stenson off guard with the closest chance for Forest just after the half hour mark.
After the break, the hosts re-emerged with a point to prove and looked bright at the start of the second half, but an inswinging corner from Alana Murphy that struck the crossbar was the only clear threat in the opening stages.
Simon Parker's side gathered their composure again and threatened to extend their lead when a corner wasn't cleared fully and Ferguson lashed a volleyed effort just wide from just inside the box.
The next chance fell when a stunning wide free-kick delivery from Jess Simpson was flicked across goal by Collett, but herded behind by a Forest defender.
A third goal did arrive, and it was Bashford who finished in customary style after Tegan McGowan's initial shot was saved to allow Saints' top goalscorer to tap home after following in at the right place at the right time.
The final flourish for Saints came off the bench, as a rewarding afternoon ended with the introduction of Emma Harries for her long-awaited debut after her return from injury - the number nine almost scored late on as she was put through on goal, but opted to square a ball that was cleared.
Academy midfielder Saffia Rae, just 16-years-old, was also introduced for her senior debut in stoppage time to cap off a positive final day all round.
Saints end their first season under Simon Parker's leadership with a much-improved fifth-placed finish in the Barclays Women's Super League 2.
Nottingham Forest: Batty, Brougham, Mustaki, Hed, Rowe, Thomas (Almqvist 61'), Omewa (Claypole 46'), Brown, Kiernan (Rose 74'), Murphy (Rodgers 61'), Boye-Hlorkah (Wellings 84').
Subs not used: Ferguson, Johnson, Olding, Smith.
Goals: N/A.
Saints: Stenson, Collett, Mott, Bourne, Simpson (Brown 81'), Primus (c), Palmer (Roberts 90'), Bashford, Ferguson (McGowan 67'), McAlonie (Harries 81'), Brazil (Rae 90').
Subs not used: Pettit, Goddard, Sena, Edwards.
Goals: McAlonie (1'), Collett (27'), Bashford (76').
Attendance: 1,638.
