Five-star McMaster inspires City of Portsmouth

Having opened the season with a 5-1 defeat of Winchester II, the Furze Lane outfit turned on the style to beat Basingstoke 7-0 on Saturday.

McMaster netted all four goals in the first half.

Lauren Stewart and Emily Butcher extended their advantage after the break before McMaster capped the victory with her fifth.

Skipper Katie Spooner was delighted with her troops and is hopeful they can maintain their winning start.

She said: ‘We are top and we want to stay there.’

In division five, Laura Burden netted the consolation as the ladies’ second string lost 13-1 to Basingstoke.

City of Portsmouth’s men completed a derby double against United Services.

The first team won 7-1 over their Burnaby Road rivals in a pre-season friendly.

Stuart Avery and Rob Boswell hit doubles, while Chris Butler, Seb Martin and Jack Reed also found the net.

City captain Boswell said: ‘This was a good workout in hot conditions.

‘Bring on Trojans in the first league game.’

Also in friendly action were the clubs’ second teams.

And City claimed the bragging rights again – this time with a 6-1 win.

Jamie Moore struck twice, with Ivan Boswell, Alex Williams, skipper Alan Ball and Jim Clarke also on the mark.

City of Portsmouth Stars lost 6-1 to Wimborne.

Matt Baker-Keating was man-of-the-match as Harry Hellyer scored the goal.

City of Portsmouth’s under-12s made a great start to the season with a 6-1 win over Haslemere.

The budding talents turned in a performance full of resolute defending and fantastic interplay in midfield – capped with some nice goals.