Southampton Captain Purfield Anticipates Key Match

Jemma Purfield, who joined Southampton in 2023 after departing Leicester City, is the captain of Southampton and is eagerly awaiting a “massive” game against Newcastle United. A large attendance is projected at St James’ Park, where a victory would significantly boost the Saints’ ambition to secure promotion from the Championship to the Women’s Super League. Purfield’s team currently sits fourth in the league standings, five points behind leaders Birmingham City, having played one fewer match than the Midlands club. “We know that’s going to be massive,” Purfield informed BBC Radio Solent. “We know they’re getting a big crowd, playing at St James’, so enjoying that occasion but not letting it get the better of us will be really important. “I’ve got no doubt that the girls will do that. We’re focused, we’ve got a job to do and we’ll go there and do that.” The following Sunday, Southampton is scheduled for another important fixture, an away game against local rivals Portsmouth in the Women’s League Cup. Last month, they defeated “Pompey” 5-0 at Fratton Park in a dominant league encounter. Left-back Purfield, 27, commented: “It felt like everything clicked that day. It was an unbelievable performance.“Pompey is always a tough game. It’s a rivalry. We’re going to their place again and we’ll be looking forward to that and making sure we come out with a result.”