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Durham Women fell to defeat on the opening day of the season against Southampton. A flurry of second half goals from Ellie Brazil, Abbie Ferguson and Megan Collett saw the Saints take command, with Sarah Wilson pulling a late goal back for the hosts. Willie Kirk handed debuts to Rachel Lowe, Jade Pennock and Maddy McComasky in a first outing of the season at Maiden Castle. It was the Saints who started brightly, with Cat Sheppard having to deny Ferguson and Mary Bashford in the early stages. Durham had limited chances before the break, with a blocked Pennock strike the closest they came. At the other end, Wilson and Grace Ayre both had to make heroic blocks to stop the visitors opening the scoring before the break. But Southampton would take the lead shortly after the restart – Brazil prodding home after a scramble in the box. And Ferguson would double the advantage minutes later as she finished calmly after Brazil’s low cross. That double blow didn’t deter Durham who sought to find a way back into the game. Wilson saw a flicked header held by Moloney, before the Saints added a third against the run of play – Collett finishing after a corner wasn’t fully cleared. Lauren Briggs and Dee Bradley were both thwarted by Moloney as the Blues looked to reduce the deficit, but it was skipper Wilson who eventually found the net as she bundled home Beth Hepple’s corner. Despite late pressure, there was no route back into the game for Durham – who now go again at Leicester City next Sunday.