Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.23 2022-23

After flirting with danger a few weeks ago, Portishead Town are
heading up the FA Women’s National League Division One South
West table after three straight wins, including completing a double
over Selsey women with a 1-0 victory on Sunday.
Full back Phoebe Tate has had a good season for the Somerset
side and she told us that team morale is “really high” following their
upsurge in form, and that they are setting their sights on mid-table
and more improvement next season:
WSS: Well done on your win on Sunday, how nice was it
to complete a quick double over the same opponents?
PT: Thank you! It was a long time coming. We have been training
really well over the past few weeks, and team morale is really
high. Taking six points from Selsey felt good and has given us a
good boost up the table, going level on points with them.
WSS: The win was your third in a row after a worrying
run of results and three clean sheets as well, have there
been any specific reasons for your upturn in form?
PT: Our confidence is high at the moment, and when our
confidence is high that’s when we perform our best. Credit to the
coaches and all the girls for turning up and putting the hard work
in. We have defended so well as a unit and started to play our
football again.
WSS: How important a result was the scrappy 1-0 win against Larkhall, did it just
restore the team's belief again?
PT: It was crucial. We knew we needed to win given the position we held in the table at that
point. It showed us that we do deserve to be in this league and we can grind out results.
WSS: How big a boost has it been that two of your key players, Ellie Strippel and
Rosie Hill, have been back amongst the goals recently?
PT: It’s great to see. Both players are in top form at the moment. When they have the ball at their
feet in that form they are two of the best players in the league in my opinion. I know I wouldn’t
want to be defending against them!
WSS: This week you will face your biggest test for a few games when you play
leaders and title chasers Exeter, what are your thoughts about playing them now?
PT: I have full belief in the squad that we can take something from this game. We knocked them
out of the FA Cup earlier in the season with a 2-0 win so we know we are capable of beating
them. Having the opportunity to play at St James Park in front of a big crowd is exciting and
all of the girls are really up for it! Every time we play Exeter it’s a good battle so let’s hope for
that again this Sunday.
WSS: It's your second season in the National League and you have had injuries to
important players, but overall have you been satisfied with the way things have
gone?
PT: We have had our fair shares of ups and downs with results over the past two seasons, but
you couldn’t ask for a better atmosphere within the squad. The friendships and understanding
between us all are second to none. This squad is like my family. We have already exceeded the
points total we achieved last season with seven games remaining and have beaten well
established teams (such as Southampton and Exeter), so it shows that we are developing and
pushing to become a more recognised club.
WSS: Your team is more or less safe now and a good finish could see you challenge
for a top half place, is that something for the team to aim for?
PT: Definitely, and it is something we are capable of. If we continue with the form we are
currently in, and with confidence staying high, I have full belief we will do it.
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