SAINTS capitalised on a dream date with destiny to be crowned winners of the Women’s National League South, with a 2-0 win over bitter rivals Portsmouth at St Mary’s.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side had won eight matches in a row to present themselves with a chance of lifting the title in front of their Hampshire enemies.

Early nerves were expected with the occasion, but Sophia Pharoah lifted the roof off in Southampton with a superb hit from outside the area just before half-time.

Goal machine Lucia Kendall doubled the advantage soon after the break to send the side into cruise control with two matches to spare.

The historic contest began with good atmosphere as a record attendance for a Women’s match at St Mary’s of 5,145 gave the designated Pompey blocks a fair share of stick.

Saints had already beaten Portsmouth twice this season by one goal, with winners coming in the 84th and 112th minutes, but they hoped it would not take that long this time around.

Ella Pusey and Kendall both saw missed chances inside 15 minutes, denied by some hasty goalkeeping and looping a shot just wide respectively.

Alisha Ware had a chance for an open goal after Pusey’s set-up but could not sort her feet in time to capitalise. Pusey then hit the post with a header, but the flag was up anyway.

Pompey began to enjoy small spells of possession, but it was still only the home side who looked like threatening – although they couldn’t find any composure in front of goal.

Pharoah found the perfect antidote to the obvious nerves right before half-time, firing from the edge of the area onto the far-post and in to give Spacey-Cale’s side the lead.

Right after the break, Kendall fired in from the edge of the area to double the advantage. Pusey had another one-on-one saved and Kendall was the second to strike at a rebound, lifting it over the defender on the line and into the top corner.

Saints almost went three ahead immediately, but Hannah Haughton saved well from a close-range header after Kendall’s pinpoint free-kick delivery.

It then became a matter of producing a professional performance and seeing out the well-earned lead, which proved to be little issue.

Kayla Rendell, stood idle in Saints’ net, touched the ball for one of the first times midway through the second-half, and Portsmouth’s attacks were typified by one blazed well wide and over going into the final 15 minutes.

Rendell did have to tip over a really well struck effort with one of the very final actions of play, proving that she was still expertly alert to danger. 

Spacey-Cale's side had battled all season to fulfill their aims and were able to pour that into passionate celebrations on hallowed turf at full-time, but know the job is not yet done with a promotion playoff to come next month. 

Saints: Rendell; Morris, Rafferty, Parnell, Mott; Rutherford, Kendall, Freeland; Pharoah (Griffiths, 82), Ware, Pusey (Rood, 88)

Unused subs: Luce, Provan, Watling.

Attendance: 5,145