Cardiff defeat keeps Blues off the summit
Pompey Ladies missed out on the chance to climb to the top of the Premier League Southern Division final after losing 3-2 at Cardiff.
The hosts opened the scoring just before half-time when Lauren Townsend’s free-kick went in off the underside of the crossbar.
But the Blues were level early in the second half as Lucy Quinn (pictured) reacted quickest to head home after Sarah Kempson’s effort had struck the woodwork.
And it soon got even better for Pompey, with Gemma Hillier’s fine strike turning the match on its head.
But the Bluebirds hit back to equalise when Tiffany Taylor inadvertently diverted Nicola Cousins’ cross into her own net.
Cardiff then broke quickly following a Blues free-kick and Michelle Green collected Bethan Lloyd’s pass before calmly finding the net.
Pompey almost secured a share of the spoils late on, but Quinn’s volley was superbly saved by Louis Hutton to ensure it was the Welsh side sitting top of the table.
Joint Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “The players and coaching staff were all devastated with the manner of the defeat.
“It’s a difficult pill to swallow, but all we can do now is look forward to our forthcoming fixtures against Basingstoke in the cup and then Charlton in the league.
“We still have a chance of finishing top, although it is now going to be more difficult, and we have an FA Cup tie against Durham to look forward to as well.”
Pompey: Blakely, Taylor, McMillan, Murphy, Bazan, Simmonds, Bloomfield, Kempson, Quinn, Hillier (c), Wilson
Subs: Greene, Clark, Frampton