MIDFIELDER Aimee Palmer admitted she joined Southampton FC Women in order to achieve the third promotion of her career.

Palmer scored Saints' first goal of the season with a stunning free-kick on Sunday before former player Lexi Lloyd-Smith ensured a 1-1 draw for Bristol City.

The 24 year old is a two-time Championship winner having helped Manchester United and Bristol City earn promotion to the Women's Super League.

Having joined Saints in the summer, Palmer is now targeting another promotion in what will be an ultra-competitive Championship season.

Palmer told the Daily Echo: "I wouldn't have just signed for any club. This is the place that I wanted to be in order to get promoted. 

"I'm here to get my third. The club's culture and the way that they want to do things, promotion is definitely on their mind.

"That's the reason why I signed for this club, especially with the players that they've already got. I'm hoping I can just bring a little something else.

"We've got youngsters and we've got older players, all class. I'm hoping that all of us can come together off the pitch, on the pitch, especially from today onwards.

"We learn and we go on to the next game. It takes a whole team. It's not just the XI that start.

"It's not the players that just come on. It takes everyone, and everyone's going to be so important in this journey."

Palmer was described as a set-piece specialist by Saints head coach Remi Allen following her stunning free-kick.

The former Leicester City midfielder smiled when informed of the praise and asked if supporters should expect more efforts like that.

"Yeah, I think last year I had a few as well," she explained. "So I think it's something that I've got in my locker. Hopefully it's something that I can bring to the team.

"Anything I can do on and off the pitch to help everyone, I'll be looking to do. I'm happy and hopefully I can bring more."

Aimee Palmer (right) rallies teammates in pre-season friendly against ArsenalAimee Palmer (right) rallies teammates in pre-season friendly against Arsenal (Image: Southampton FC / Chris Moorhouse)
Much like Allen, Palmer was disappointed with the performance Saints produced even though they secured a point against a recently relegated side.

"We weren't happy with how we played but it's a point on the board and we move onto Sunderland," Palmer added.

"We set such high standards for ourselves. Obviously, we weren't happy with how we played, but it was a good chance for us to learn.

"We're still a young squad, but that's no excuse. We need to look back at what we've done well and what we need to improve and go from there."