Women's Preview: Pompey vs Saints
It’s the second of the south coast derby double header for Southampton FC Women, who visit Portsmouth in National League Southern Premier action on Wednesday.
Portsmouth vs Saints
National League Southern Premier
Fratton Park
Wednesday 15th December, 8pm GMT
Saints travel to Portsmouth for the second time in a week, this time in league action following their FA Cup progression on Sunday.
After the hosts took the lead on 31 minutes, Saints responded in the second half through Lucia Kendall’s headed equaliser.
The game went into extra-time, with Caitlin Morris netting the eventual winner at Westleigh Park in the 112th minute.
Saints sit third in the Southern Premier, a point behind second place Oxford and nine behind leaders Ipswich having played two games fewer than both sides.
Pompey occupy seventh position, with six wins, one draw and three defeats from ten games.
After numerous meetings in recent years through cup competitions, this is the first meeting between the two sides in league action since Marieanne Spacey-Cale joined the club.
Tickets are priced as follows and can be purchased via the link below:
There will be no segregation of fans, with all supporters seated in the Fratton end behind the goal.
Portsmouth suggest fans purchase tickets ahead of the game to avoid any queues on the day.
The two sides have met on three occasions over the last two years, each game providing a different result in what typifies the unpredictability of the derby.
In February 2020 two first-half goals from Ella Pusey at Privett Park secured a comfortable evening for Spacey-Cale’s side in the National League Cup.
Her first came after 15 minutes after a through ball from Ella Morris, with the second arriving in first half stoppage time, Alisha Ware this time the provider.
The next meeting came in May 2021, where Rachel Panting cancelled out Jade Bradley’s opener before Pompey came away victorious on penalties in the Hampshire Cup final.
Finally there was Sunday’s meeting, this time in the FA Cup as Caitlin Morris secured progression in extra time.
“We have to have the same mindset,” said Spacey-Cale, “It’s going to be a completely different game. It’s the league, the three points are what’s important.
“We’ve got to approach it knowing we’ve gone from a game last Thursday, extra time Sunday and now another game on Wednesday. We have to be sensible in what we do over the next couple of days.
“We’ll regroup, refresh, refocus and get ready for Fratton park. A massive thank you to the fans on Sunday, they were fantastic. They gave us that step up.
“They’ve played a massive part in our journey, so a massive thank you.”
