Blues beaten 2-0 by Notts County
Pompey Ladies’ FA Women’s Cup run was ended by Super League leaders Notts County at Privett Park.
A crowd of 403 turned out to watch the Blues frustrate their higher-ranked opponents before eventually succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.
The hosts received a first half blow when prolific striker Charley Wilson had to come off with a rib injury after colliding with the County keeper.
But they more than held their own until the 72nd minute when England international Sophie Bradley converted a corner with a thumping header.
Her international team-mate Jess Clarke than raced clear to double the visitors’ lead moments later.
Joint Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “The players all performed extremely well and we weren’t too far off winning the tie. Notts County had to find an extra gear to beat us.
“The game swung like a pendulum. At times you could see their quality, but we pressed and created chances of our own.
“It took two quality England internationals to finally break us down. I’m not sure too many teams would have kept out Sophie’s header.
“Jess than scored the second after going through one-on-one and took her finish very well indeed.
“They did probably create more than us, but we still had scoring opportunities. Charley had an effort before she had to come off and Molly Clark had a chance in the second half.
“For around 80 minutes our girls were absolutely fantastic, but it was a five-minute spell when they did all the damage.”
Pompey: Blakely; Frampton, Schumann-Edwards, Taylor, Bazan; Simmonds, Clark (Sievwright 88), Kempson, Quinn; Hillier (c), Wilson (Bloomfield 32)
Subs not used: Cox, Russell, Saunders
Photo: Jordan Hampton
Photo: Jordan Hampton