Southampton put five past South Coast rivals Portsmouth | OneFootball

Southampton added more misery to Portsmouth’s debut season in the Barclays Women’s Championship as they won 5-0 at Fratton Park this afternoon.

Remi Allen’s side took the derby bragging rights thanks to Rianna Dean’s brace and goals from Megan Collett and Molly Pike. Portsmouth also netted an own goal.

Southampton went close to opening the scoring in the second minute, but Pike’s effort hit the bar and the ball bounced out. At the other end, Sophie Quirk’s low effort flew past the post.

The visitors were presented with two further chances in quick succession. First, Portsmouth keeper Eve Annets kept out Rachel Rowe’s low effort before Freya Gregory’s close-range follow-up was cleared by Izzy Collins.

After a goalless opening, the deadlock was finally broken just before the break. Gregory’s low cross took a deflection off the unfortunate Riva Casley and the ball diverted into the back of the net, giving Southampton the advantage.

Portsmouth looked to respond immediately as Scarlett Williams won possession high in Southampton’s half before crossing to Erin McLaughlin, but her curling effort was tipped wide by visiting keeper Fran Stenson.

The hosts looked to find an equaliser after the break and Annie Hutchings had an opportunity to shoot from close range, but her effort was put behind by the Southampton defence.

The Saints doubled their advantage through Collett on the hour mark. She forced a low effort past Annets after breaking through the home defence.

Quirk’s first-time effort was then collected by Stenson before a Casley header landed on the roof of the net as Portsmouth stepped up their search for a way back into the contest.

Southampton made sure of the victory in the 87th minute as they netted a third goal. Substitute Dean met Pike’s cross and sent the ball past Annets.

The Saints saw their advantage quickly increase to four when Pike fired the ball into the goal at the far post before Dean rounded Annets and placed her shot into an empty net to complete the 5-0 rout.

Both sides are in Barclays Women’s Championship action again next weekend. Portsmouth travel to Bristol City while Southampton play host to Birmingham City.