Umotong hat-trick helps secure Pompey's progress
Pompey Ladies continued their fine form by thrashing Larkhall 7-1 at Cams Alders in the Premier League Cup.
Ini Umotong hit a second half hat-trick as the Blues comfortably booked their place in the second round.
The hosts took an early lead when Eilidh Currie’s low cross was turned home by Charley Wilson.
But Larkhall soon hit back to equalise, as Emily Hannington’s cross from deep dipped over Sadie Blakely and landed in the net.
Umotong then had a goal disallowed before Molly Clark restored Pompey’s lead with a fierce volley.
The Blues moved through the gears after the interval and Shannon Sievwright increased their advantage when her cross caught out opposition goalkeeper Nikki O’Connell.
Umotong took over from that point, converting Wilson’s cut-back and heading home a Clark corner to make it 5-1.
She then turned provider to tee-up Sievwright for a cool finish before completing her treble in the closing stages.
Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “We took a while to get going, but eventually wore Larkhall down and the final score was very pleasing.
“Three games in eight days meant we had to rotate the team, but they responded brilliantly to cap a great week for us.
“Scoring so many goals breeds confidence and it’s important that they’re being shared around – we stress the importance of not relying solely on the strikers, just as the whole team is responsible for defending.
“The league is obviously our priority, but we believe our squad is capable of doing well in every competition we’re involved in this season.”
Pompey: Blakely; Taylor, Goodall, Rutherford (Dark 56), Frampton (Bazan 67); Bloomfield, Clark, Sievwright; Currie, Wilson (c) (Hillier 67), Umotong
Subs not used: Kempson, Quinn
Photo: Jordan Hampton
Photo: Jordan Hampton