Portsmouth Women defy odds to match men’s achievement for second consecutive year
Portsmouth Women have written even more remarkably history into their books after what they achieved at the weekend.
Jay Sadler’s side, in their first season as a professional outfit, managed to accumulate enough points to stay in the Women’s Championship for another season.
The Blues ran riot against Blackburn Rovers at Fratton Park on Sunday (27 April), in what was their league finale while Rovers and Sheffield United, the latter confirmed for the drop, play their final game this weekend.
Portsmouth Women stay up in first professional campaign
Portsmouth Women were superb at Fratton on Sunday, matching the men’s achievement of promotion last season, and now league survival in the second tier this time around.
Pompey were 4-0 winners over Blackburn in PO4, as Sophie Quirk’s double, Meg Hornby’s strike and Emma Thompson’s gloss on the result combined to secure safety.
At the same time, it was ironically rivals Southampton who gave Portsmouth a helping hand, as they relegated Sheffield United with a 3-2 win in South Yorkshire.
It can at times be underestimated what Sadler and his troops have achieved, given they have merely been full-time for less than a year.
That can be a hugely challenging move logistically, especially building a squad. Pompey suffered following promotion from the National League last year, as they endured some heavy beatings from much more equipped opponents.
However, the fact the Championship’s 11-team division drops only one team back down to regional level at least created a safety net for Pompey.
As it happens, there remains every chance the Blues finish third-bottom, with Sunday’s opponents Blackburn a point behind with their last fixture approaching this Sunday (4 May) against fifth-placed Newcastle United.
Women’s Championship task accomplished for Pompey
It has been a huge learning curve for Portsmouth this season, and Sadler and his staff especially can be immensely proud.
Pompey have stood firm in the face of adversity to ensure they weren’t going down with a whimper, and now their improved results see them safe with the rest of the league having a game to spare.
With the odd number of clubs competing this season, Sadler’s Blues are the only team to have finished their season, and can kick back and watch the rest of the drama unfold. All eyes are on one game.
| POS | Women’s Championship table | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 1 | London City Lionesses | 19 | 42 | +21 |
| 2 | Birmingham City | 19 | 40 | +19 |
London City Lionesses are in the driving seat for the league title and promotion to the WSL, but face second-placed Birmingham City in an all-or-nothing contest.
With two points separating the sides, a win or draw will be enough for London City; Birmingham know they must win, but it would be enough to see them into the top tier.
Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town will play in the Championship next season, having each earned promotion from their regional divisions as Pompey and Newcastle did last year.