Jay Sadler reacts to ‘moment of controversy’ that cost Portsmouth Women vs Ipswich
Portsmouth Women lost 3-2 to Ipswich on Sunday, with Jay Sadler suggesting a ‘moment of controversy’ turned the game.
Sadler’s side had gained a 2-1 lead early in the second half, thanks to goals from Angelina Nixon and Ava Rowbotham.
However, that lead only lasted a matter of seconds before Ipswich equalised, and the home side would ultimately claim all three points with a late penalty.
The result takes Ipswich above Portsmouth in the Women’s Championship table. Sadler’s team fall into 11th place with three points from their opening four games.
Jay Sadler says that ‘moment of controversy’ cost Portsmouth Women against Ipswich
The defining moment of the game involved Ipswich’s equaliser, which arrived in controversial circumstances.
Ipswich winger Sophie Peskett was brought down on the right wing, with the referee blowing his whistle for a foul.
However, Peskett had already managed to cross the ball, and it was headed into the net by Pompey’s net by Natasha Thomas.
Portsmouth’s players were sure that the game had already been stopped by the referee before the ball went in, but he allowed the goal to stand anyway.
In his post-match interview, Sadler was quick to explain why the goal shouldn’t have been given.
He said: “He’s blown his whistle so therefore he’s ultimately stopped the game of play to give a free-kick. He’s not looking at the ball and the ball has gone into the back of the net, so he’s got a big decision to make because essentially he’s now impeding a goal.
“However, the letter of the law is, as soon as the referee blows the whistle, the game stops, and the game did stop in that moment.”
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When do Portsmouth Women face Southampton?
Many Portsmouth fans who attended this game had the same verdict as Sadler, with several taking to social media to express their shock at the goal being given.
Ultimately, there’s nothing the team can do except dust themselves off and hope for better refereeing decisions in the future.
Portsmouth Women have had bad luck with injuries and officiating this season, but they’ll be hoping their luck improves in the upcoming local derbies against Southampton.
| Date | Competition | Opponent |
| 5 October | Women’s Championship | Nottingham Forest (A) |
| 8 October | Women’s League Cup | Southampton (A) |
| 12 October | Women’s Championship | Southampton (H) |
They take on the Saints twice in one week, starting with a Women’s League Cup match at the Silverlake Stadium in Eastleigh on Wednesday 8 October. Then, they welcome their local rivals to Fratton Park on Sunday 12 October for a league fixture.
Before those games, they travel to Nottingham Forest for a league game at The City Ground. Portsmouth Women have a lot of new signings bedding into the team and they played well against Ipswich. With the league so tight at this early stage of the season, a win could send Pompey flying up the table ahead of their local derbies.
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