Last season’s runners-up Wycombe Wanderers will be pushing to go one better this term, but will likely be pushed all the way once again by Portchester.

Both teams finished on 40 points apiece as they finished second and third, respectively.

Mark Dugan’s Portchester side have recruited strongly again, bringing in ten new players to bolster the team from last year.

Notable signings include striker Charmaine True, who has had previous successful stints with the Creeksiders, and former AFC Bournemouth and Fulham defensive midfielder Betty Barron-Clark.

Portchester have also benefited from the dismantling of Portsmouth under-23s recruiting coach Molly Small and two players in Lola Meyer and Ruby Saunders.

For the Flyers Pearmine has kept the same squad from last season, with the only players missing out being Vinnie Nkomo and Jasmine Pearmine.

So far, the former Reading player has brought in two new faces and has opted for experience, bringing in Southampton Women’s FC fullback Laura Vokes and former Moneyfields goalkeeper Lauren Sayler.

Midfielders Ella Hughes and Kayleigh Tonks represent new signings for the Flyers as they were dual-signed with the club last season but are now fully Winchester players.

Pearmine could still look to add to her squad across all areas as the season begins.

Earlier in pre-season, the manager laid down a gauntlet to her team of wanting to finish top three.

She said: “If we’re not top three, I’m going to be very disappointed. There’s no reason we cannot with this group of players.

“We’re lucky to have this group of players buy into what we’re doing. I want to compete every single week.

“I’m not one to lose; I don’t like losing.”

Winchester finished fifth last season, four points off Oxford City in fourth.

Last season, the Flyers and Portchester met three times in all competitions, with the latter coming away the happier across the encounters.

The two met at the Onsite Group Stadium in September, where Aimee Hall-Guy scored later to cancel out Annie Northwood’s 90th minute goal t earn Portchester a point in a 2-2 draw.

Then in November, Portchester were convincing 4-1 winners at the Charters Community Stadium in the Women’s FA Cup before they picked up a controversial 1-0 win in the league in March.

Winchester will be up for the battle against a well-organised and strong side looking for their first win on the opening day in four years.

Match Details

Venue: The Onsite Group Stadium
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Entry: Adults £4, under-18s free
Gates: Open at 1pm