Portsmouth Women reach cup final without playing a single game on the way!
Portsmouth Woman have reached the final of the Hampshire Senior Cup without playing a single game.
This Sunday’s scheduled sem-final opponents Winchester City decided to withdraw from the competition just two days before the tie was due to take place.
Jay Sadler’s team were also given a walkover in their quarter final in November after Warsash Wasps also pulled out!
Holders Portsmouth will now face Southampton FC in the showpiece final at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium on Thursday, March 26.
Portsmouth will be aiming to win the tournament for the 12th year running, and for the 16th time in 17 seasons.
The only time since 2003/04 they didn’t lift the silverware was when AFC Bournemouth won in 2007/08.
Though Portsmouth play one tier higher than Southampton in the women’s football pyramid, they probably won’t start favourites at Eastleigh.
That’s because Southampton recently defeated Pompey 2-0 at Gosport in the quarter final of the Women’s National League Cup.
Since the competition started in 1996/97, only three clubs have ever won the Senior Cup.
Southampton Saints won in each of the first seven seasons before Pompey lifted the trophy for the first time in 2003/04.
Portsmouth’s latest blank weekend leaves them having played just three games - all cup ties - in 2020.
Their last Southern Premier Division game was on November 24, and their last home league game was on September 22.
Pompey have only played seven league games out of 22, only three of which have been at home.
Their next game is home to Keynsham on Sunday, February 23, at Baffins Milton FC.