Boss Sadler salutes Portsmouth Women squad for their character shown in a ‘whirlwind’ year

Jay Sadler saluted his Portsmouth Women squad for the character they've shown since returning to pre-season training on the back of a 'whirlwind' year.
Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan HamptonAction from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton
Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton

And the Blues boss heaped praise on the level of fitness within the group as they prepare for the 2020/21 National League Southern Premier Division campaign.

Pompey have been forced to find alternative pre-season training venues with Furze Lane out of use until September because of the pandemic.

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The squad have had sessions put on at the Hampshire FA's Front Lawn site, Farlington Marshes and Purbrook Heath.

Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan HamptonAction from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton
Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton

Remarkably, Pompey's opening pre-season fixture last Sunday - a thumping 8-0 win at Enfield Town - was just their sixth fixture since the turn of the year.

The curtailment of 2019/20 on the back of the Covid-19 outbreak along with a raft of home postponements at the PMC Stadium they share with Baffins Milton Rovers meant it was a season to forget for Sadler's side.

But he believes the various problems appear to have made the squad even more hungry.

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‘It’s been a whirlwind of a year for us so it’s quite nice to be getting some games and actually be back playing again,' said Sadler.

Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan HamptonAction from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton
Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton

‘We actually worked out it was our sixth game of the year when we played Enfield Town.

‘I’ve been really happy with how things have gone.

‘I’ve been really impressed with the level of fitness the girls have come back with.

‘The eagerness to play since lockdown etc, they’ve been very professional about things.

Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan HamptonAction from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton
Action from Portsmouth's 8-0 win over Enfield Town. Picture: Jordan Hampton
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‘Given what kind of season we had to deal with, it’s testament to their characters to come back with that level of fitness.

‘You could tell in the play that they just went out with excitement and enjoyment.

‘With eight goals, a clean sheet, 60 minutes all round - it was a real promising first pre-season game.'

A Jade Widdows hat-trick, a Mia Addaway double and strikes from Katie James, Molly Clark and Danielle Rowe completed the Enfield victory.

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Sadler revealed the squad were so keen to return, small sessions were organised following the FA's easing of lockdown restrictions.

He travelled to five separate locations to put his players through their paces prior to their pre-season return.

'I was really impressed with how they came back in for training,' added Sadler.

‘We were doing Covid grouping sessions as things began to ease and the FA changed the guidelines.

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'We got the club’s approval for me to travel to five different venues and do some work with the players.

‘Even then, the girls have been working hard behind the scenes.

‘It meant when we got into the proper pre-season they were in good shape.'

Pompey's pre-season preparations continue with a trip to Brentford Ladies on Sunday.