Jay Sadler Previews Hampshire Cup Opener

The Portsmouth Women take on AFC Bournemouth away from home in the Second Round of the Hampshire Cup this Sunday (November 19th) afternoon.

Kick-off at Ringwood Town FC's Long Lane is 2pm.

The Blues head into this fixture top of the FA Women's National League - Southern Premier Division, level on points with Hashtag United but with a far superior goal difference.

However it's cup action for Jay Sadler's side this weekend, who are fresh off the back of a 9-1 victory over Fulham in The FA Cup last time out. Toward the end of that encounter at Motspur Park, development player Matilda Walker was handed her senior debut whilst Ella Humphrey managed to get on the scoresheet.

Could this Sunday's Hampshire Cup tie represent a bigger opportunity for some of the Blues' youngsters? Potentially, however the gaffer is more focused on securing progression to the Second Round.

Sadler told Express FM's Jake Smith: "There are a number of senior, or a number of first team players, that haven't had the game time in recent weeks and I need an opportunity to go and get some minutes in the legs so we are going to go full strength with our first team players.

"We understand the importance of this competition. This competition has been vitally, vitally important for the football club over the years, winning it on so many occasions. To obviously be the team, the group, the head coach to have lost it last year was disappointing, was hard to take, however it's a new season, a new opportunity and we go there full of confidence."

Take a listen to the full, extended interview with the Portsmouth Women boss:                

Pompey will be seeking revenge when they take on The Cherries as it was this side who knocked Portsmouth out of this competition last season, ending 15 years of undisputed Hampshire Cup dominance.

Former Portsmouth players Katie James and Shannon Albuery are likely to be involved in this one, alongside Hall of Fame inductee Gemma Hillier, who spent 17 years with the Blues, serving 8 of those as captain.

Venue: Long Lane (Ringwood Town FC) - Kick-off: 2pm