By Ian Chiverton – Photos by Jason Brown @jbphotography0
As the dust settles on the 22/23 campaign, and preperations for an exciting 23/24 campaign begin, I thought it would be good to look back on the key moments that shaped the season for Portsmouth Women.
Game of the season
Billericay 3-4 Portsmouth
Portsmouth went into the game knowing nothing but a win would be good enough as they looked to stay in the title race. The game was a classic and shortly after half time the score sat at 3-3. Pompey pushed for a winner and it took a dramatic 94th min Jazz Younger header to secure all 3 points and send the away support crazy.
Player of the season
Sophie Quirk
Probably the most obvious of the selections in this article. Sophie was outstanding from the first game to the last. Always had a goal in her and when she didn’t hit the net she would find an assist. The team’s top scorer with 16 goals and the Southern Premier Player of the Season as well. For a young player to have such an impact in tier 3 was something special to behold.
Unsung Heroine
Nicole Barrett
Nicole joined Pompey in the summer from Maidenhead. Over the season she made 30 appearances scoring 2 goals. The stats don’t tell you the full story of the impact she had on Pompey’s season. She was exceptional operating as an attacking right back. The consistency of her performances really stood out to those attending all the games.
One to forget
Bournemouth 1-0 Portsmouth – Hampshire Cup Semi Final
Portsmouth’s 14 season reign as Hampshire Cup winners ended away as Bournemouth. Probably the most painful result of the campaign. Pompey never got going in the match and the half chances we had we didn’t take. A moment of quality from ex Pompey player Molly Clark secured the victory in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Bournemouth went on the win the Cup which was little consolation for Pompey who had dominated the competition for so long.
One to remember
Ipswich 0-3 Portsmouth
Ipswich were one of the favourites for the League title and Portsmouth facing them away in the first game of the season was going to be a huge test.
Pompey sent a strong message to the rest of the division winning the game in style 3-0. It really was a place marker for how Pompey would attack the whole campaign.
Season defining games
The season is only 22 games in the Southern Premier Division so your season can be defined by a handful of matches. I have picked 3 keys games which defined the league campaign.
4th September: Portsmouth 2-2 Gillingham
18th September: Portsmouth 0-1 London Bees
9th October: Portsmouth 2-3 Bridgewater
Portsmouth went into the season as a respected Tier 3 side but I think it’s probably realistic to say they were not expected to challenge for the title against financially backed teams such as Watford, Ipswich and Oxford.
Pompey were exceptional straight from the first match and would eventually finish 6 points from winners Watford.
When you look back at dropped points it’s the home games against Gillingham, London Bees and Bridgewater that stick out. The team would have expected to be taking 3 points at home against those sides. Had we won those then the later games against Watford and Oxford would have been title deciders.
It’s cruel that the campaign can hinge on three early results, but that is the nature of the League. You just can’t falter at any point in the campaign.
Special moment
Ella Humphreys debut Portsmouth goal vs Plymouth
Brighton player and Portsmouth Fan Ella Humphrey joined Pompey on loan in October. Her first goal for the club came away to Plymouth in the League cup and was a special moment for not only her and her family but the fans as well. We all dream of scoring for Pompey, she was one of the few who will ever actually do it. The look on her face when the goal went it was a really special moment.
Final thoughts
Despite the disappointment of the Hampshire cup defeat it was a memorable campaign for Pompey and my favourite as a supporter. To take the league campaign right to the last couple of games kept the season alive and entertaining for fans. The football we played was high paced and attacking and some teams just found us too much to handle.
The future is bright for Portsmouth Women. Starting from the 23/24 campaign Portsmouth Women will start offering players paid contracts for the first time in the club’s history. This will allow us to retain our key players and bring in other players previously out of our reach.
That along with the recent announcement that the club will change their development side to an U23 team and paired with some changes to the youth system, the club is really looking to improve the infrastructure and Player Pathway at the club.
