Southampton and Portsmouth share one of the fiercest rivalries in sport, and on Saturday, they face off once again in the Women’s Championship at St Mary’s.
Southampton have already beaten Portsmouth twice this season, in both the League Cup and the league. But for Pompey defender Riva Casley, this match is about redemption.
“We know it’s a big game, and they’ve beaten us twice already, so we owe them one,” Casley told BBC South Today.
Portsmouth’s recent victories over Sheffield United and Sunderland have lifted them out of the relegation zone, two points clear of the bottom. Before that, they endured a tough 14-game winless run in the league.
“Things are finally starting to click for us on the pitch,” Casley added. “It’s been a tough season, but two wins in two weeks have lifted the mood—we’re just enjoying our football.”
Despite sitting ninth points above Pompey in eighth place, Southampton have not won a match since their last meeting in November. However, forward Rachel Rowe is confident in their ability to perform in high-stakes matches.
“We know we can step up in these derbies, and we’re looking forward to it,” Rowe said. “There’s always a buzz in the squad when a derby is coming up. Everyone’s excited, and we can’t wait to see the fans out there.”
Southampton are aiming to set a new attendance record for the evening kickoff. Their current record stands at 7,012 against Sunderland in January, but Portsmouth boss Jay Sadler believes this fixture could nearly double that figure.
The Saints have also seen a change in leadership, with Marieanne Spacey-Cale returning as first-team manager after the departure of Remi Allen. She is eager to embrace the derby challenge.
“It wasn’t something I expected, but now it’s about looking forward,” Spacey-Cale said. “There’s been a lot happening, but my focus is on making sure we’re in the best position for the run-in.
“South-coast derbies come with strong emotions, but we have to set that aside and trust in our game.”
BBC Radio Solent will provide full live commentary of Southampton vs. Portsmouth on Saturday, available across radio frequencies and online.
Leave a Reply