Portsmouth Women have safety in sight after Sunderland milestone
Portsmouth Women have taken a huge step towards survival in the Women’s Championship with victory over Sunderland on Sunday.
Pompey played host to the Black Cats at Fratton Park sat rock-bottom of the Championship table, trailing both Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers with just five games of the season left to play.
Jay Sadler’s side had also played more matches than their two direct relegation rivals ahead of facing a Sunderland side sat sixth in the table and 19 points ahead, leaving Pompey as few people’s favourites.
However, the Blues produced arguably their best performance of the campaign to dispatch Sunderland in front of almost 2,500 people at Fratton Park, and that’s had a significant impact on the league table.
Portsmouth Women put themselves in driving seat for survival
Portsmouth Women haven’t had much to celebrate this season with just one win heading into Sunday’s match against Sunderland, and they were rooted to 11th place in the Championship ahead of kick-off.
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| 8 | Southampton | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | +2 | 17 |
| 9 | Portsmouth | 16 | 2 | 2 | 12 | –30 | 8 |
| 10 | Blackburn | 14 | 2 | 1 | 11 | –12 | 7 |
| 11 | Sheffield United | 15 | 1 | 3 | 11 | –16 | 6 |
However, Ava Rowbotham and Meg Hornby’s strikes in the 52nd and 56th minutes respectively took the game away from Sunderland, winning a deserved three points for Pompey despite the visitors replying.
As a result, Portsmouth have leapfrogged Blackburn and Sheffield United into ninth place, two points clear of the drop zone despite their rivals having two and one respective games in hand on them.
Jay Sadler must capitalise on Portsmouth momentum
Although Pompey have lifted themselves above Blackburn and Sheffield United in the Women’s Championship relegation battle for now, there’s still plenty of football left to play on the home straight.
There’s also a nine-point gap to make up to eighth-placed Southampton if Portsmouth are to continue their upward trajectory, but it’s clear the bottom three were cut adrift from the rest some time ago.
Sadler’s side beating Sunderland was certainly no fluke, recording a second straight victory and being denied a second-half penalty just minutes before Katy Watson’s goal in reply for the Black Cats.
With just four games remaining for Pompey – who still have the league’s worst goal difference of minus 30 – the onus is now on Sadler to continue their push up the table and secure a Championship place.