Pompey far too strong for Widbrook
Pompey Ladies began their defence of the Hampshire Cup with a 13-1 thrashing of Widbrook United at Purbrook Heath.
Gemma Hillier and Lucy Quinn (pictured) both hit hat-tricks as the Blues set up a last eight clash with Aldershot – a repeat of last season’s final.
Gemma Simmonds and Jess Frampton combined to tee-up the opener for Hillier after just seven minutes before Quinn curled home a free-kick to double the advantage.
Pompey then scored a superb third, with Sarah Kempson finding the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Widbrook pulled a goal back midway through the first half, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
A succession of one-two passes allowed Hillier to restore the three-goal lead and Simmonds then added her name to the scoresheet with an acrobatic effort.
Simmonds bagged another just before half-time, pouncing to convert after Becky Hunt’s shot had been parried clear.
The Blues continued to pour forward after the break and Charley Wilson turned nearly before firing home.
Quinn then bent in an eighth goal before Hillier rounded the goalkeeper and coolly finished to complete her hat-trick.
Leeta Rutherford put Pompey into double figures by finding the top corner – but the hosts were still not done.
They added three more goals in the final 10 minutes, with Wilson and Rutherford netting either side of Quinn completing her treble.
Joint Blues boss Katie Poore said: “To be fair to Widbrook, they kept competing and managed to score a well-taken goal.
“But the result was a massive confidence boost for us and it was good to see goals from so many different players.
“We’ve got a good history in the Hampshire Cup and we want to keep that going. Hopefully we can go all the way and win it again.”
Pompey: Blakely; Simmonds, Murphy, Summerfield (McMillan 60), Bazan; Hunt (Bloomfield 46), Kempson (Rutherford 56), Frampton, Quinn; Hillier (c), Wilson