Kirsty Roxanne looks ahead to matchday 4 of the 2025/26 WSL 2 season for Pompey.
The Blues gathered all 3 points at Fratton Park last Sunday against Sheffield United after a long range free kick strike from Meg Hornby hit the back of the net in the 10th minute.
Jay Sadler’s side defended well to stop the Blades from equalising including a penalty that hit the woodwork in the first half.
With 3 points from 3 games the Blues move up to 10th place, our next opponents Ipswich Town are yet to win a league fixture and occupy 12th in the WSL 2. However a point on the board was rewarded after a goalless 0-0 draw away at Charlton.
In Wednesday night’s Subway cup fixture at Westleigh Park against Brighton & Hove Albion the Blues put on a strong performance against the WSL side but were defeated 2-0 with both goals coming in the first half.
Matchday 4 in the WSL 2 awaits and it’s a trip to Suffolk to the Jobserve Community Stadium to take on newly promoted side Ipswich Town for a 2pm kick-off.
THIS WEEK'S OPPOSITION:
MANAGER
In charge of the side is Joe Sheehan.
He initially worked in a voluntary role at the club before being appointed manager in February 2019.
Sheehan has overseen significant growth in the team’s professionalism and success during his tenure.
Nominated for Manager of the Year last season, Town boss led his side to win FA Women’s National League Southern Premier title and achieved promotion to the Barclays WSL 2 after securing 17 wins, 2 draws and losing twice.
The Blues also scored 89 goals across 22 games and maintained an unbeaten home record in the league across the whole season.
ONE TO WATCH
Arsenal academy product Rhianna Dean is our one to look out for.
Whilst in the Gunners academy she scored 37 goals in 20 games in the 2016/17 season with the development squad. Dean made one senior appearance for the club in 2015 in a WSL Cup Group Stage victory over London Bees. Arsenal would go on to lift the trophy.
Dean also played for Millwall Lionesses, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and most recently Southampton.
She spent 2 seasons with Pompey’s rivals down the road scoring a total of 9 goals in 18 appearances.
The number 9 also has international experience after representing England at U17, U19 and U21 levels, Dean joined Ipswich on a permanent transfer this summer.
TOP SCORER
Ipswich are yet to score a league goal this season, so we are going to take a look back to last season’s top goalscorer who is still ever-present in the Tractor Girls squad.
Sophie Peskett, topped scoring charts with 23 league goals and providing 8 assists which secured her the division’s Golden Boot underlining her importance in Ipswich’s attack.
Peskett is a constant threat who was a key figure in Ipswich’s promotion-winning campaign claiming the FAWNL Southern Premier Division Player of the Year award.
The midfielder dons the number 17 shirt.
CURRENT FORM
Ipswich Town arrived in the WSL2 on the back of a superb title-winning season in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.
The Tractor Girls collected 17 victories from 22 outings, finishing on 54 points – six clear of nearest challengers Hashtag United.
They were also the league’s most clinical side, scoring 32 more goals than any other team and ending with a formidable +79 goal difference.
The Blues are still finding their feet in the WSL 2 and have only claimed 1 point from the opening 3 games.
Their most recent game on Wednesday night in the Subway League Cup was against Leicester City which ended in a 5-1 defeat - they also have Crystal Palace and newly promoted to the WSL London City in their group.
Can Jay Sadler’s side take the confidence and winning formula to Suffolk?
Kick-off: 2pm!
Jake Smith will be back to review the game with the help of Kirsty Roxanne on Monday (September 29th) night's episode of The Football Hour on Express FM.
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