Sunday, 28/04/2024 - 14.00 - The Valley

Charlton 2-0 Southampton

|At the start of the day, there was a good chance that with a win and a little help elsewhere, Saints could finish the season in Second place. It wouldn’t mean promotion, but it would cap what has been, all in all, a pretty good season. So I was very surprised that there was no preview on the OS. Before every other game this season, there has been a preview, but not for this game, so there was no news on whether there was any audio or live footage available, nothing; it was very disappointing.

Sunday, 21/04/2024 - 14.00 - St.Mary's

Southampton 3-1 London City Lionesses

|With our usual pre-match routine completed, we got to the ground a little earlier than normal. There were queues outside the turnstiles, so we ducked into the bar. As soon as I was inside, it felt very dark and gloomy. It took me a few moments to realise that my glasses had reacted to the UV light outside, and the lenses had darkened. I stayed close behind S as she made for the door and into the brighter concourse.

As we walked up the steps to our seats, it was obvious that there was a bigger than usual crowd for the last home game of the season. We were in our seats in time to hear the Skids and then, while the players were out on the pitch, the Saints band.

Saints still have injuries in the squad, not least to Megan Collett, but several players returned to the match-day squad. London City had ex-Arsenal and England player Danielle Carter in their starting line-up.

Sunday, 31/03/2024 - 14.00 - St.Mary's

Southampton 2-1 Lewes

|Sunday, March 31st, Easter Sunday, Saints Women at home and S’s birthday.

Walking to the ground, we always pass the run-down and deserted Engineers Arms. I’m no fan of pubs, but it makes me sad to see it in such a state as this is one of only three pubs I’ve spent the night in as my grandparents, both big Saints fans, owned the pub for a while when I was very young. The other two pubs I spent the night in were The Village Bells in Eling (a school friend lived there) and The Ferryboat in Norwich (after my band played). It was heartening to see that there was work inside the old pub as we walked past it, and I had heard that it would become a coffee shop. I would love to have a pre-match cup of tea someday.

We got to the ground five minutes before kick-off, just as the players walked out. If they’d played ‘The Saints Are Coming, ' we missed it, but S got to hear the Saints band on her birthday. They now start playing as the players are out on the pitch, and it does get the crowd going.

One thing I never understand about male or female football is the high fives and hugs the players indulge in before they kick off. They’ve all gone through the pre-match routine, been in the dressing room together, done their huddle on the pitch, so what’s with all the greetings after that?

Sunday, 24/03/2024 - 14.00 - Ewood Park

Blackburn 2-1 Southampton

|Hornby double, Oh no Saints

Saints Women travelled to Ewood Park looking to keep pressure on the promotion pack at the top of the Barclays Women's Championship. The teams came out onto a pitch three quarters in bright sunshine as spring finally reached Lancashire.

Sunday, 17/03/2024 - 14.00 - St.Mary's Stadium

Southampton 5-0 Reading

|Our usual Sunday ritual is to drive to B’s, leaving enough time to walk the dog before heading off to St Mary's. So we got there, parked up, and after the walk, the dog led us back towards the car. However, as B got held up in traffic, she was late home, and we were in a bit of a rush, but our walk to the stadium got off to an interesting start.

As we approached the main road over Northam Bridge, a car was slowly reversing down the inside lane. We assumed it had broken down and the driver was trying to get to the bus stop so they could get the car out of the lane. But it stopped in the lane next to the bus stop. The driver, an older man, got out, walked towards the bus stop, and said hello to another older man who was waiting for a bus. They exchanged brief greetings, and the driver returned to his car and drove off.

When we got to the stadium and walked up the steps to our seats, the Skids were letting us know that ‘The Saints Are Coming’. I can’t deny that I enjoyed walking up from the concourse and listening to The Skids; it felt good. S likes the Saints brass band and they stood by the side of the pitch while the players lined up in front of the dugouts.

The band started as the players got in their huddles, generating a good atmosphere as they prepared to kick off.

There was no audio or televised coverage available for this game, but B put me onto the Sky Sports Scores app, which not only sent me score updates but also had a text commentary function. So, I was able to keep up with the game while watching the WSL game on TV and also while out walking the dog.

Sunderland started the day top, with Saints in third, one of three teams just a point behind them. Back in January, Saints had travelled to Sunderland and won 2-0 in the FA Cup, but last September, Sunderland had won 1-0 at St Marys in a game that Saints really should have won, at a time when Saints were themselves top of the league.

Sunday, 03/03/2024 - 14.00 - Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground

Sunderland 1-0 Southampton

|There was no audio or televised coverage available for this game, but B put me onto the Sky Sports Scores app, which not only sent me score updates but also had a text commentary function. So, I was able to keep up with the game while watching the WSL game on TV and also while out walking the dog.

Sunderland started the day top, with Saints in third, one of three teams just a point behind them. Back in January, Saints had travelled to Sunderland and won 2-0 in the FA Cup, but last September, Sunderland had won 1-0 at St Marys in a game that Saints really should have won, at a time when Saints were themselves top of the league.