Blues enjoy 3-2 win over QPR
Fratton Park proved an inspirational venue for Pompey Ladies, as they roared back to winning ways by beating QPR.
It looked like being a comfortable afternoon, as Samantha Quayle’s brace and a fine Tash Stephens strike gave the hosts a commanding advantage.
But the Londoners hit back with two goals of their own to ensure the finale was perhaps more nervous than it ought to have been.
Quayle opened the scoring after just eight minutes, racing onto Lauren Peck’s pass and lobbing the ball into the net.
And she doubled the advantage midway through the first half after taking the ball past the keeper and a defender.
But it was Stephens who bagged the best goal of the game with a thumping finish into the top corner.
The visitors received a lifeline before the break, however, when Nicki Waterman headed home from a corner.
Sara Lopez then grabbed another for QPR five minutes from the end to set up a tense conclusion to the contest.
But it was Pompey who almost scored again, with a goal-line clearance preventing Quayle from completing a hat-trick.
Blues boss Jay Sadler said: “I’m really happy with the performance. We got on the ball and played some good football.
“We created a lot of chances and didn’t take as many as we should have – I don’t think the scoreline reflected our performance.
“It was a bit nail-biting at the end, but it was a win and that’s something the girls have been working hard towards.”
Pompey: Paines; Kirby, Tonks, Currie, Peck (Capel-Watson 67); Sievwright, James (Simmons 63), Carleton, Stephens (Bell 90+2); Hillier (c), Quayle
Subs not used: Burns, True