The first game of the season for a depleted ladies 3’s with only 9 players they were at home to Portsmouth. The game started with a high tempo but the island pushed high up the pitch with captain Cathy Somekh leading from the back their pressure was rewarded with Poppy Gallerwood getting her first goal. The island tried to kept up pressure and Portsmouth had a couple of chances to equalise but Tia Shuttler in goal was alert to the danger stopping the few shots that came her way. The islands second goal came from Lotty Green shortly followed by a third from Amber Wilmott . With only 8 outfield players the island were forced to play high leaving Vicky Brodowska and Beth Bransom in the defence to sweep up any danger on the break from Portsmouth. The islands fourth goal was scored by Lotty Green to make a half time score of 4-0.

Exhausted and red-faced from all the running the island came out in the second half determined to keep a clean sheet. They were rewarded for their pressure when Amelia Parker working hard down the right wing crossed into the area for Poppy Gallerwood to slip it home . More chances came as the island dominated the second half playing high up the pitch with Rhea Thakrar and Lotty Green and Poppy Gallerwood working very hard to disrupt any play from Portsmouth. That paid off when Lotty Green was given the ball out on the left of the D and was able to lift the ball up into the net for her hat trick. As island legs tiered Portsmouth broke a couple of times but the defence held strong and were able to clean up everything that came their way. The final goal was scored by Rhea Thakrar after a scrambled attempt from a short corner she found the goal. Final score 7-0 . Joint Wightlink players of the match were Lotty Green and Poppy Gallerwood, but really every single player deserved a pat on the back and it was nice to hear the compliments from the opposition about how well they played. A very good game to kick off the season.