Credit: Portsmouth FC - YouTube

Rahul Lakhani

Mon 21 April 2025 21:02, UK

Portsmouth Women are enduring a tough season, but they did enjoy a positive result at the weekend.

Pompey’s Women’s side were beaten heavily as they lost 6-0 to Durham in the previous week, but they bounced back well to draw 1-1 with Bristol City Women.

Jay Sadler’s side are 10th in the Women’s Super League 2, but are aiming to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.

Sadler made a bold call ahead of the draw with Bristol City, and his decision has now been justified after the result.

Sadler decision pays off for Portsmouth

Sadler decided to make two changes to his Portsmouth Women’s side following the 6-0 defeat, and he was vindicated in his choices.

Georgie Freeland and Meg Hornby came in for Erin McLaughlin and Emma Thompson, with Sadler deciding to mix up his team.

Portsmouth battled to a 1-1 draw against Bristol City with captain Sophie Barker scoring an equaliser, and they picked up a very respectable point on the back of a thrashing.

The result now means that Portsmouth are three points clear of Sheffield United in 10th place, and they have added security this season.

Portsmouth Women could avoid relegation

The WSL2 has a different rule this season, as Reading’s withdrawal from the competition means that there is one less team in the division.

This means that there is one less relegation spot for Portsmouth to fall into, with only the bottom side set to go down.

Sheffield United are in 12th place with 7 points from 18 games, and Pompey will simply need to finish above them to survive.

Portsmouth are now on 10 points, and will need to ensure they do not drop to bottom if they are to avoid relegation.

Portsmouth’s men’s side secured their safety in the Championship with a 1-0 victory over Watford, and will now compete in the second division for the second season running.

Pompey will hope the women’s side can follow suit after John Mousinho sealed survival in an impressive campaign overall.