Winchester City Flyers get their Southern Region Premier Division season underway on Sunday with a short away trip to face Oxford City.

Emma Pearmine’s side have had an extra week to prepare after they weren’t given a game on the original opening weekend.

The league has welcomed three new teams to the league while also losing Long Credon and Warminster Town who stepped away due to the demands of the league at this level.

Selsey were relegated from the FA Women’s National League while AFC Portchester were promoted from Division One South and the third newcomer has seen Reading drop down from the Championship to the Southern Region due to the main club’s struggles off the pitch.

Sunday’s opponents are a familiar adversary in the shape of Oxford who finished fourth last season 11 points off of champions Bournemouth Sports.

City played Sholing away – the team formerly known as Eastleigh in the Community – and earned themselves a late point.

It was the hosts who took the lead through Catherine Browning who was found unmarked at the back post.

Sholing looked set to take the three points, however, a late Ellie Waleki strike ensured that the two sides shared the spoils.

Oxford have made some personnel changes but have kept some of last season’s key players including goal scorers Emily Harris and Ellie White who scored a combined 43 goals in all competitions last year.

For Winchester Pearmine is spoilt for choice having retained 16 players from last term and signed nine new players.

The Flyers find themselves with depth and experience across the pitch with each new signing bringing in experienced players from the National League.

Manager’s Thoughts

Watch the full interview with Emma Pearmine here: Emma Pearmine pre Oxford City

Pearmine has sent down the challenge to her players and the league as she expects her team to be competing including against this Sunday’s opponents.

Speaking earlier this week she said: “We'll be coming out every single week fighting, and I expect to get some serious results this season.

“I'm feeling really positive, obviously Oxford City are a really strong side in the league. But I think with what we've got coming in, our pre-season, everyone's feeling positive, and the energy is really good.

“So, I feel like we're going to come in and actually smash this Sunday and really put a dent in the league straightaway.

The manager has a potential selection ahead of every week with 25 players registered to play for the First Team but has been pleased with how they’ve settled in.

She said: “Everyone's come and settled in straight away. It's just created depth throughout our team so, we can rotate the team if we've got injuries or people away.

“We've got excellent talent, has come in and they're really going to make a difference this season.

“We've got a lot of players signed on and I will not be able to take everyone every week, but they need to keep fighting every week, show their best, be positive, encourage others.

Match Details

Court Place Farm - Sunday 8th September - 2:00pm
Southern Regional Women's Football League
Tickets will be available at the home turnstile, both cash and card payments are available.
Adults: £3
Under 18's: FREE

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