SWINDON Town Ladies will be hoping the benefits of home comforts will be the catalyst that inspires them to claim their first win of the new season this weekend.

Town stormed to the South West Division One title in the FA Women’s Premier League last term but have so far struggled to adapt to life at a higher level following their promotion to the Southern Division.

They have been beaten on their two trips to Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur, shipping four goals on each occasion, while last weekend, they suffered a heart-breaking extra-time defeat away at Denham United in the Women’s Premier League Cup.

After a tricky first three weeks on the road, Steve Robertson’s side will run out for their maiden home fixture of the new campaign on Sunday when Portsmouth make the trip to Barrington Park in Shrivenham (kick-off 2pm).

Hampshire side Pompey have had a mixed start to the season, with one win and one defeat from their opening two league fixtures so far, although they should travel north high in confidence after enjoying an emphatic 8-2 cup victory over Lowestoft Town last time out.

Robertson has the luxury of full squad to pick from for this weekend’s match and the Town boss is eager to get off the mark with a first victory as soon as possible as he knows his team cannot afford to take too long to find their feet in their new surroundings.

“I am expecting a reaction after the disappointing exit from the cup last weekend at Denham,” said Robertson.

“It is our first home game and we need to put on a good show and start collecting points.

“Portsmouth will be difficult as they have played at this level for several seasons but we must start to establish ourselves in this league.”

TOWN SQUAD: Robyn Levett, Alice Smith, Sam Quinn, Chenise Austin, Serena Smith, Ellie Maynard, Alison Witts, Chyna Collings, Abby Piction, Yvette Kemp, Savanaha Winstone, Georgia Walter, Michelle Rich, Sally Butterfield and Clare Hill.