The Sirens’ starting eleven featured several summer additions, with Katie Ellwood and Jade Hockey both handed their first competitive starts following their arrivals at the club. Sky Stone and Aime Chiddle also made their Sirens debuts, while familiar faces completed a strong starting line-up for the opening fixture. New signings Libby Carter and Lexie Peattie featured on the bench.

Goals from Ellwood, Hockey, Chloe Tedman and Julia Pietrzyk secured all three points, while two penalty saves from Grace Jenman helped Southampton leave Chesham with three points and a well-deserved clean sheet.

The Sirens started brightly and looked dangerous from the opening stages, moving the ball well and quickly putting the Chesham defence under pressure.

New signing Ellwood opened the scoring, marking her first competitive appearance for the club with her first Sirens goal – a great headed effort into the bottom corner from a Manisha Kaur cross.

Southampton continued to push forward and, minutes before half-time, doubled their advantage through Hockey. The returning Siren struck the ball from outside the box, which found the side netting and put her side firmly in control.

Chesham were given an opportunity to pull a goal back from the penalty spot, but Jenman produced an excellent save to protect Southampton’s two-goal lead.

Half-time: Chesham United 0 – 2 Southampton Women’s FC

The Sirens carried their momentum into the second half and continued to cause the hosts problems.

After 25 minutes of chances from both sides, Tedman added the third Sirens goal with a brilliant strike from distance, sending an unstoppable effort beyond the Chesham goalkeeper.

The hosts were later awarded a second penalty, but Jenman stepped up once again to make another fantastic save and keep the clean sheet intact.

Southampton remained strong defensively throughout the afternoon, with Katelyn Wort producing a standout performance at the back. The Sirens continued to work hard as a team and dealt well with the pressure from the hosts.

In stoppage time, Pietrzyk completed the scoring with a calm and composed finish to make it 4–0 and round off an excellent afternoon for Southampton.

Four goals, four different goalscorers, two penalty saves and a clean sheet made it the perfect start to the new season for Aaron Smith’s side.

The Sirens return to action next Sunday when they travel to face league newcomers Denham United.

Full-time: Chesham United 0–4 Southampton Women’s FC

Goalscorers: Ellwood 36’, Hockey 45’, Tedman 79’ and Pietrzyk 90+3’.