'˜Big result' for Pompey Ladies

Sarah Kempson’s 84th-minute free-kick clinched a 3-2 triumph for the Blues in Sunday’s FAWPL Cup clash.

It was enough to dispel a spirited United side presently sitting second in FA Women’s Premier League south east division one.

Craig Taylor’s side had to come from behind following Rosie Kmita’s eighth-minute goal.

But Gemma Hillier levelled two minutes into first-half stoppage-time before Kempson put them ahead on 61 minutes.

Disappointingly, the visitors levelled only three minutes later.

Yet six minutes from time Hillier was fouled and Kempson’s 25-yard free-kick settled matters.

Following a 3-1 defeat to C&K Basildon in their previous outing, cup progress represented a welcome result.

And Sadler was delighted with how the side fought off Sunday’s opposition.

The assistant manager told the Pompey Ladies website: ‘This was by no means a definite win, we had to treat them with respect.

‘Yes they are in the league below, but they are doing really well.

‘They matched us toe-to-toe for a lot of the game but there was a little bit of quality at the end from Sarah Kempson which got us out of jail.

‘There was a lot more fight and spirit and the reaction at half-time was spot on – they came out and gave us what we wanted and it was a big result for us.

‘The overall team performance was a lot better than it has been for a couple of weeks and we also backed that up with the spirit, drive and commitment which got us over the line in the end.

‘You cannot take anything away from Cambridge, they were a good team, had a plan and did well.’

Taylor’s team next head to the home of Uxbridge Football Club, where they will face QPR.

Rangers are currently rooted to the bottom of the FA Women’s Premier League southern division, with no points and a goal difference of minus 20.

It represents an ideal opportunity for the Blues to start climbing the table from their current placing of seventh.

And following three defeats in four league fixtures, Sadler is hoping to build on the cup success over Cambridge.

He added: ‘Our next thought is for the QPR match, we will prepare for that as we do any game.

‘We are a lot happier having got that Cambridge result, but we will prepare for this like any game home or away and try to execute our game plan again.’