PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

Ini Umotong hit a hat-trick as Pompey Ladies cruised into the third round of the FA Women’s Cup with a 5-0 triumph at Gillingham.

An away trip to either Blackburn or Liverpool Feds is the reward for beating the fellow Premier League Southern Division side.

Umotong grabbed an early opener for the visitors, meeting Lucy Quinn’s pin-point cross with a spectacular volley.

Charley Wilson then confidently slotted home midway through the first half to double the advantage.

Pompey continued to move through the gears after the interval and Umotong soon added to the scoring with a dinked finish.

And she completed her hat-trick on the hour mark after being unselfishly teed-up by Wilson.

Sarah Kempson then collected Gemma Hillier’s pass and completed the rout with a low drive into the bottom corner.

Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “It’s pleasing to have such a resounding victory in our first game back after Christmas.

“You could tell that the girls were eager to get out there and play some football again after so long without a game.

“It’s obviously great to score so many goals, but after the match I was keen to praise our defensive unit.

“We were strong in possession and it would have been easy for them to lose concentration. However, that wasn’t the case and they were marvellous throughout.

“The FA Cup is a competition we want to do well in, so it’s helpful that we’ve avoided any of the Super League sides who have entered in the next round.

“But it will still be a difficult test – and a long away trip – against either Blackburn or Liverpool Feds.

“We’ve got Nottingham Forest away in the Premier League Cup the following week, so there’s a lot of travelling coming up for us.

“But these overnight stays offer a great opportunity for the squad to bond and we’re relishing the prospect of continuing our cup adventures.”

Pompey: Blakely; Frampton, Rutherford, Currie (Keen 71), Bazan; Clark, Kempson, Sievwright (Bloomfield 65), Quinn; Wilson, Umotong (Hillier 76)

Photo: Matt Underwood