‘Fans, competition and our south coast rivals’ – Pompey Women skipper Jade Bradley excited for Hampshire Cup final against Southampton

Jade Bradley in action during last month's friendly against Arsenal at Westleigh Park. Picture: Dave Haines.

Jay Sadler’s side come up against Southampton FC for the right to be crowned winners of the delayed 2019-20 season Hampshire Women’s Senior Cup in front of supporters at Westleigh Park tonight (8pm).

It’s the first time Pompey, who are aiming to win the county cup title for a 12th consecutive season, have played competitively since they were removed from the FA Women’s Cup for fielding an ineligible player in a second round tie against Cheltenham Ladies last month.

The Blues have had several friendlies since then but Bradley stressed there is nothing like competing in a fixture with something riding on it - and facing their rivals from the other end of the M27.

She claims the excitement could not be higher in the squad as they prepare for a cup final with supporters allowed back in stadiums for the first time since early December.

Bradley said: ‘Whether it’s a cup final or not a cup final, Southampton is always a big game for us.

‘Everyone is excited for it and it’s the first time fans can be in the stadium for a while so there’s that added factor as well - fans, competition and our south coast rivals which is always a good game.

‘It’s that first competitive match - granted, we try to treat every game as a competition - but nothing comes close to a final or to three points when there’s something on the line.

‘Training has been intense, the games have been good and we’ve been trying some new things. We’ve given ourselves a good run going into this game.

‘It could play a part (FA Cup removal motivation), at the end of the day, a game is a game, but there are so many variables that have changed now with fans allowed in, trophy on the line, a long period without a game and everything.’

Pompey have played all their home games at Westleigh Park this season and are tonight protecting a 100 per cent record in competitive games there.

In the National League Southern Premier Division, they recorded wins against Plymouth (7-0), Hounslow (3-0), Gillingham (2-1) and MK Dons (4-1).

They also defeated Cheltenham 2-0 in the FA Cup - Bradley scoring direct from a corner - before they were withdrawn for fielding an ineligible player.

Top scorer Becki Bath has certainly enjoyed playing at Westleigh Park in 2020/21 - she has netted 10 times in those five competitive wins.