Southampton extended their unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League 2 to nine games as they welcomed Nottingham Forest to St Mary’s for their first home fixture at the stadium since March.
The hosts created the better chances in the opening 45 minutes despite Forest enjoying more possession, but neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval.
Southampton eventually broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute through Freya Jupp, who fired home from the edge of the 18-yard box to score her first goal for the club on her St Mary’s debut.
Libbi McInnes provided the assist, picking out Jupp with a perfectly weighted lobbed through ball from inside the opposition half to create Southampton’s first home goal of the season.
The Saints continued to apply pressure in search of a second, but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities as the game entered its final stages.
Substitutions were then made in an attempt to change the momentum, with defender Ellie Hack among those introduced as she made her first appearance in six months following injury.
However, Forest found a way back into the contest with eight minutes of normal time remaining. Ghanaian international Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah produced a long-range finish after a quick counter-attack, with Australian international Leticia McKenna providing the assist.
Despite five minutes of additional time being played, neither side could find a late winner, meaning Southampton were forced to settle for a share of the points and a third consecutive draw.
FT: Southampton Women 1-1 Nottingham Forest Women
Southampton remain unbeaten but have recorded just one victory from their opening fixtures in the Women’s Super League 2. They will look to double their win tally when they travel to Bristol City next gameweek.
Before then, the Saints head to the Victoria Road Stadium on Wednesday to face West Ham United in the first round of the Women’s League Cup.
For Nottingham Forest, their attention now turns back to WSL2 action next weekend when they host Burnley, having already suffered a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in their opening Women’s League Cup fixture.
