Pompey dominate, but lose 1-0 in cup clash
Pompey Ladies were missing a clinical touch as they lost to Lewes for the second week in succession.
The Sussex side visited Westleigh Park for a League Cup group stage clash, just seven days after winning 2-1 in the Premier League Southern Division.
It was the Blues who created most of the game’s chances and Lucy Quinn fired over the bar on 20 minutes.
Nadine Bazan also went close before the visitors scored against the run of the play on the stroke of half-time.
It was Kirsty Spice who got the goal, bundling the ball over the line from close range after a corner had found her in the box.
Pompey continued to dominate after the break, but found the Lewes goalkeeper in fine form and were also denied by the woodwork.
Joint Blues boss Katie Poore said: “It was a frustrating afternoon to say the least – we probably controlled 90 per cent of the game.
“The girls were all up for it after losing to Lewes in the league the previous week, but their keeper played a blinder.
“They also defended well, throwing themselves in front of shots as if their lives depended on it.
“We created so many more chances than they did, while our keeper probably only touched the ball three or four times in the second half.
“It was just one of those games when you control possession, but can’t get the ball over the line.
“Hopefully we can bounce back against Gillingham in the league next week. They're top of the table, but we sometimes play better against the bigger sides and the girls certainly won’t need any motivating.”
Pompey: Blakely; Bazan (Crabb), Schumann-Edwards, Murphy, Simmonds; Hunt (Frampton), Rutherford, McGee, Quinn (Kempson); Wilson, Hillier (c)
Subs not used: Taylor, R Cox
Photo: Michael Hulf