Southampton Women warmed up for their derby cup tie with Portsmouth on Sunday by keeping their perfect FA Women’s Premier League record going.

Under the floodlights at AFC Totton, the team came away with a 3-1 win against local rivals Poole Town Ladies FC, who are also debutantes in the league this season.

This came after a 3-1 league win against Southampton Saints G&LFC and a FA Cup win against Winchester City Flyers earlier in the month.

It was a well contested match, with Poole applying early pressure and getting a free kick outside the area. A controversial goal was given just two minutes into the game after the keeper was fouled but the foul was deemed to be after the ball had crossed the line.

Southampton responded quickly and made some penetrating passes through the midfield to run at the Poole Town defence, resulting in a free kick just outside the area four minutes later. The kick was goal-bound and parried by the Poole Town keeper but Emma Pinner made sure for Southampton and levelled the scores.

Poole Town continued to hunt down both wings, putting in some accurate crosses which Amie Barnett and Kellie Warren did well to clear.

A smooth set of passes from Cassie Thorp to Jane Yeates and through to Pinner put her in on goal and she scored her second.

As the game progressed Southampton had the lion’s share of chances with shots from Karleen Hellard, Yeates and Pinner all narrowly missing the target, whilst at the other end Poole Town hit the crossbar and were closed down quickly by Peake when on the break.

Both teams came out with a determined attitude in the second half, but it was Southampton who delivered, after an accurate ball was played to Yeates, who cut inside the defender and then scored with her left making it 3-1.

Laura Vokes was a consistent force for Southampton down the left wing, combining with Thorp in midfield they continued to feed Yeates with opportunities on goal.

Kirsty Whitton meanwhile was battling in midfield, where much of the second half was fought, spreading the play well and tracking back in defence Poole continued to push forward, but the Southampton defence remained resolute and cleared comfortably, with Peake making a couple of easy saves.

Paris Payne, on as a substitute, moved well in midfield and played a well weighted pass to Whitton whose shot from 30 yards out went just over.

This result takes Southampton Women’s FC to third in the table, with four wins out of four.

This Sunday they take on Portsmouth Ladies FC in the next round of the FAWPL Cup.

The game is a 2pm kick-off at AFC Totton, and the club would welcome new supporters and their families for a great game of football in this south coast derby.

Portsmouth Ladies play in the league above Southampton Women and in their last meetings it has proved to be scintillating football.

Entrance is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions, free parking and refreshments available.