Abbie Larkin on Southampton, scoring THAT goal and looking ahead to Forest

Women

21 Sept 2025

Crystal Palace's Abbie Larkin is ready for Sunday's clash with Nottingham Forest (14:00 BST kick-off) after a strong performance against Southampton last week, when she scored the team's first goal of the Barclays Women's Super League 2 season.

The Republic of Ireland international was voted as your TEN Player of the Match after her stunning brace in the 4-4 draw against Southampton last weekend, and she believes her second goal was one of her best yet.

She said: "I think it took me a minute to notice that it actually went in! I'd seen it hit the post and I was like, 'oh, has it gone in, has it not?'

"And then obviously it came across the other side and hit the net. I was delighted, so happy.

"I didn't know what to think in the moment, to be honest. That definitely has to be one of the best goals I've scored in my career. So, yeah, I'm really happy for myself."

Larkin's first goal wasn't bad either. An inch-perfect pass from Annabel Blanchard split the Southampton defence, finding the forward in space. Larkin didn't hesitate, hitting it first-time and planting the ball perfectly in the bottom corner.

The goal looked like a move straight from the training ground, and Larkin credited the team's hard work in training for creating such an opportunity.

She said: "I think we definitely go through a lot of different options and varieties in what to do. We could say that we practice that in training, I think definitely we have done it once or twice.

"But I think it was just in the game, how we played, and how each individual player saw and made the right decisions, and it's obviously an amazing ball from Blanch."

Larkin was also keen to praise the home support, saying: "I think the atmosphere was amazing. The support that we got that day definitely kept us going in the game when it got a bit tough."

Despite a positive performance against the Saints, Larkin believes the team still has things to improve on.

"I thought we played some good football against Southampton, made a few mistakes here and there and I think they definitely jumped on that and got their goals which we were really unlucky with.

"I think we definitely have a lot to improve on in the next coming game and hopefully we get the result we're looking for on the weekend," she said.

Larkin is expecting a tough test against a new-look Nottingham Forest side.

She said: "I think they're going to come out strong, come out fighting and wanting to win, they have a point to prove.

"Obviously, it's a new team in the WSL too, and we definitely can't underestimate any team in this league.

"I think we're just going to go out again this Sunday and keep improving from our last previous two games, and hopefully get the points that we deserve."

Match Details

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Sunday, 21st September (14:00 BST)
Barclays Women's Super League 2
City Ground
Find out how to watch.

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