Fans outside St Mary's Stadium have been buzzing with excitement ahead of the derby women's game against Portsmouth FC.

Flags, scarves and shirts were on show as Southampton FC fans turned out to support the women's team.

Saints have already beaten Pompey twice this season by a combined 9-0, and fans are hoping for another victory this evening.

Season ticket holder Helen Miles is looking forward to watching the match with her family including her 11-year-old nephew Devon, who says he is looking forward to seeing Saints "destroy" Pompey.

Helen said: "It is exciting, we are absolutely looking forward to it."

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Emma Arnold is a Saints season ticket holder and is attending with her daughter Lottie.

She said: "We are feeling good. We are feeling optimistic. I am sure they are going to be better than the men.

"It is always good to play against Pompey and hopefully beat Pompey. An exciting atmosphere hopefully."

Emma Arnold and her daughter LottieEmma Arnold and her daughter Lottie (Image: SDE)

Catherine Collett and her family are ready to support Saints and are hoping to see daughter Meg Collett take the pitch today.

Catherine said: "My daughter plays for Saints so we support them greatly. It's the rivalry always has been, Southampton vs Portsmouth. So we just need to win, like we always do."

Meg is expected to start on the bench, but her family have their fingers crossed she will have the opportunity to take the field.

Catherine Collett and her familyCatherine Collett and her family (Image: SDE)

Another Saints fan Sarah Walton said: "We have come to support the ladies.

"We are hoping they will bring it home today. It is a big rivalry and that will bring more people out, it has definitely brought us out. We felt like we had to come.

"It is really important to support the ladies because it is a growing game for the ladies and it is really inspirational for the young girls, it is a real good idea.

"We just hope we are victorious."

Sarah Walton (left)Sarah Walton (left) (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Saints Women Captain Purfield shares the fan's optimism for the game and has promised they will "keep the South Coast red" by beating Portsmouth.