A youthful Portsmouth side held West Bromwich Albion Women to a 2-2 draw in a 60‑minute pre‑season friendly at The Hawthorns on Sunday, delivering an encouraging performance ahead of the new campaign.
Early shock and a game of two halves
Portsmouth took an immediate lead when a drilled effort from the visitors struck the inside of the post and went in inside the opening two minutes, giving the travelling team an early advantage. The hosts responded and worked their way back into the contest, levelling through a fortuitous own goal after a misplaced Pompey passback looped over the visiting goalkeeper.
By the halfway point, Jess Collyer fired Albion ahead with a strong strike into the roof of the net to make it 2-1. The Baggies continued to push for further chances, while Portsmouth threatened on the break.
Late equaliser and fitness focus ahead of season
With the match reduced to 60 minutes, Portsmouth were not deterred and secured a late leveller from a free‑kick that found its way past the hosts’ wall and into the bottom corner with around ten minutes remaining. The draw means Portsmouth leave the fixture with useful match practice, having tested Albion’s defensive shape and worked on set‑piece routines.
"Albion Women were held to a draw by Portsmouth in an entertaining 60‑minute pre‑season test on Sunday afternoon."
- Final score: West Brom Women 2–2 Portsmouth (60 minutes)
- Key goal scorer: Jess Collyer (Albion)
- Important moments: Portsmouth opener inside 2 minutes; own goal level; Collyer strike to put Albion ahead; Pompey free‑kick equaliser late on
For Albion, the result provides one more match of preparation before the FA Women's National League Northern Premier campaign begins. West Brom have one remaining pre‑season friendly, a behind‑closed‑doors fixture against Wolves on Thursday, 6 August.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~2' | Portsmouth opener (drilled effort hits inside of post and goes in) |
| First half | Own goal evens the scores after a Pompey passback |
| ~Halfway | Jess Collyer makes it 2–1 with a powerful strike |
| ~50' | Portsmouth free‑kick sneaks past the wall to level the match |
From a Portsmouth perspective the match offered a useful audition for players looking to press for first‑team minutes in the coming season. The visit to The Hawthorns also exposed areas for both teams to refine: Albion their defensive concentration from early pressure and set‑pieces, Portsmouth their passback decisions and finishing from extended spells of possession.
Coaches on both sides will take positives from the tempo and chances created. For Portsmouth, the result and the experience of testing themselves against higher‑level opposition should help in readiness for the start of their own campaign.
