Natasha Thomas celebrates scoring the first ever league goal at Portman Road last season.Natasha Thomas celebrates scoring the first ever league goal at Portman Road last season. (Image: Ross Halls)
LAST TIME OUT
Joe Sheehan's side played their first-ever league game at the ground against Chatham Town last season, with more than 10,000 supporters in attendance.
Town won the game 5-0, thanks to a brace from Natasha Thomas and goals from Sophie Peskett, Lenna Gunning-Williams and Summer Hughes to seal all three points on a landmark occasion for the club.
The Tractor Girls usually play their home games at The Martello Ground, home of Felixstowe & Walton United, and attract crowds of 500-1,000.
Ipswich Town Women are fighting for the league title.Ipswich Town Women are fighting for the league title. (Image: Ross Halls)
SEASON SO FAR
The Blues are having a strong campaign, having lost just one league game, results which see them two points behind leaders Hashtag United but with two games in hand.
They have won 13 of their 17 league games played so far, with an impressive goal difference of 57, and remain unbeaten at home.
It's a massive improvement from 2023/24, when they finished fourth in the table, 17 points behind league winners Portsmouth.
The winners of the National League Southern Premier Division are automatically promoted to the Women's Championship. That would be huge for Town.
Argyle Women’s Head Coach Ryan Perks has left the club by mutual agreement.
We thank Ryan for his service to the club and wish him nothing but the best for the future.
Academy coach James Bradley will take over as Head Coach for the rest of the season.#pafc
— Plymouth Argyle Women FC (@ArgyleWFC) February 17, 2025
THE OPPOSITION
This game will be a battle of two sides in very different positions in the table, with Town fighting for the title, while Plymouth are trying to stay in the division, sitting second bottom, one point from safety.
The sides faced off back in October last year, with the Blues winning 5-1 at Home Park to extend their unbeaten run against the Pilgrims in the third tier.
The Devon side saw head coach Ryan Perks leave by mutual agreement after four years at the helm last month.
Academy coach James Bradley will be in the dug out this weekend. He is yet to win a game in his four matches in charge, losing 5-0 at Watford last week.
Megan Wearing is looking forward to making her debut at Portman Road.Megan Wearing is looking forward to making her debut at Portman Road. (Image: Ross Halls)
WHAT'S BEEN SAID
Tractor Girls defender Megan Wearing missed out on the game last season due to a back injury, but is raring to go for this game.
She said: "I'm absolutely buzzing, obviously last time round I was excited for the girls and encouraging them, but I did feel a little bit of a disconnect where it wasn't my moment and quite the day I hoped it to be.
"But being fit this year, I have the opportunity to hopefully play in the game and I can't wait for it.
"It's going to be a great experience, hopefully the fans get behind us and we can put on a good performance for them that they can enjoy."
Sophie Peskett and Kyra Robertson are key players for Ipswich Town Women.Sophie Peskett and Kyra Robertson are key players for Ipswich Town Women. (Image: Ross Halls)
ONES TO WATCH
A strength for Town is they have talented players all over the pitch, starting in goal with Natalia Negri, who has been outstanding since signing from Crystal Palace last summer. She has conceded just eight league goals all season.
Sheehan's side will be without captain Maria Boswell due to injury but midfield general Kyra Robertson will step-up to wear the armband and alongside her in the middle of the park will likely be Lucy O'Brien, who has netted eight goals and assisted a further nine.
Exciting winger Sophie Peskett will gets fans off their seats, with her pace and all-action approach.
And prolific striker Natasha Thomas needs no introduction, with her being the all-time appearance and goal scorer at the club. A true Town legend.