Sunday 13th August 2023

Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

Portsmouth FC Women v. Swansea City Ladies 

Why have I never been to Westleigh Park? Well I might have been a long time ago with Dad when the 'rents were still with us and living in Hilsea , but that may have been at a previous Havant home ground.

Aldershot have played at Westleigh Park on many occasions - the trip just never made it on to my radar.

It was a train hop day. So very pleased that in easy distance of the station are two middle aged requirements, a Costa and a Wetherspoons.

The walk from the station is a mishmash of shopping centre and 60s/70s housing estate built to move the masses out of big cities. (You know those areas that have a lingering aroma of "Herb"). 

Twenty minutes stroll and I'm here - the home of Havant & Waterlooville FC, Clanfield FC, Moneyfields FC and today's hosts Portsmouth FC Women.

The pitch  has an artificial surface (4G rubber bobbly bits in) which explains why four teams are using it as their home ground.

Covered terrace on three sides , plus the main stand. Nice touch is the tea/snack bar in each corner.

Yeah, it's maybe generic for this level of the game, reminds me of Kingsmeadow or The Broadfield, Crawley.

The whole stadium has a fresh clean vibe , congratulations to all involved for keeping the place looking so spruce.

Excellent views from all areas of the ground, only really a couple of floodlights cause the odd sight-line issue.

Onto the game itself, I know Pompey Women play at step 3 in the National League South.

The Swans a bit more elusive to pin down their equivalent tier. Playing in the Welsh Premier which I'm guessing is a step or two below Pompey but difficult to tell as the two clubs are under different administrative umbrellas.

No clubhouse to visit today. Big old pub outside the turnstiles called The Westleigh but I didn't have the time to venture in.

A very enjoyable day out - I'd happily come here again.

Ladies/Women's football call it what you will - it's what Sundays are made for.

 

[Final Score: Pompey 7 Swans 0]