Hillier bags brace in 3-0 triumph
Pompey Ladies soared to the summit of the Premier League Southern Division table with a 3-0 victory at Lewes.
They broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when Gemma Hillier collected Charley Wilson’s pass and slotted the ball past Michelle Beazley.
The Blues did not have it all their own way, though, and Sadie Blakely made a super stop to deny Katie McIntyre before the break.
But they doubled their advantage midway through the second half after Beazley spilled the ball straight at Hillier’s feet for a simple finish.
And substitute Imi Umotong put the result beyond doubt on 79 minutes, stabbing home from close range.
Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “The girls did well and managed the game extremely well.
“We scored goals at vital stages of the game to take the sting out of Lewes and played great, counter-attacking football.
“It’s great to be at the top of the table, but now every side will want to knock us off our pedestal, so we can’t afford to be complacent.
“It’s going to get harder from now and teams will try to bully us, but we just have to concentrate on our own game.”
Pompey have a break from league action this weekend when they host Larkhall Athletic in the first round of the Premier League Cup.
“It’s nice to have a different competition to focus on,” said Northeast. “They’re one division below us and we’ll make a few changes to the side, but will still treat our opponents with respect.”
Pompey: Blakely; Frampton, Goodall, Rutherford, Bazan; Kempson (Bloomfield 74), Dark (Clark 70), Sievwright (Umotong 59); Quinn, Wilson (c), Hillier
Subs not used: Taylor, Currie