Sherwood nets treble against former side
Pompey Ladies continued their recent resurgence with a 7-0 league rout of West Ham at Privett Park.
Emma Sherwood netted a hat-trick against her former club, while Sarah Kempson and Ini Umotong chipped in with two goals each.
The hosts had already gone close on three occasions before breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot after just 10 minutes.
Umotong was brought down just inside the box and Kempson stepped up to coolly slot the ball past Hammers keeper Aditi Chauhan.
And it was Kempson who soon doubled the advantage, reacting quickest after Chauhan could only parry Sherwood’s effort.
Tiffany Taylor hit the crossbar and Umotong had a goal ruled out for offside as the Blues continued to dominate the contest.
But Umotong did add a third on 36 minutes, forcing her way through the defence and finding the net with a deflected shot.
And she found the target again moments later, showing plenty of persistence to score after seeing two initial attempts blocked.
Sherwood – who was released by the Hammers earlier in the season – then got in on the act after being teed-up by Umotong.
There was even time for Pompey to grab a sixth in stoppage-time, with Sherwood chipping Chauhan from close range.
The second half was not quite as eventful, but Sherwood was able to complete her treble with a neat volleyed finish.
Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “It was an emphatic result and we did most of the damage before the break.
“Credit must go to all of our players because it was a magnificent performance and we’re delighted with another three points.
“We were really geared up to put on a show and were able to hurt West Ham in the areas we thought we could.
“Emma will get most of the headlines and deservedly so – I’m delighted that she got her first hat-trick for this club – but it really was a team effort.
“Our form is good at the minute, although we’re not going to get carried away because it’s still a big job to catch the sides above us.
“We just need to keep our feet on the ground and try to grind out more positive results in the coming weeks.”
Pompey: Trodd; Taylor, Rutherford, Atkinson (Tonks 48), Frampton (Bazan 65); Kempson, Clark, Sherwood, Quinn; Hillier, Umotong (Sievwright 59)
Subs not used: Stephens
Pompey have been drawn at home to fellow Premier League Southern Division side Cardiff in the second round of the Women’s FA Cup and the tie will be played on Sunday, January 10.