Northeast praises controlled performance from Pompey Ladies

Sarah Kempson scored her second hat-trick in a row.

Ellie Bloomfield, Tash Stephens and Molly Clark also netted goals for the Blues.

It was a resounding victory against a side who have struggled for form all season in the FA Premier League southern division.

Defending champions Pompey would certainly have been expected to get the win at home.

But it is often a harder task when teams are looking for damage limitation.

Plymouth also had a new manager in charge for the first time and that can make things more difficult.

So on the day it was a job very well done for the Blues.

The manner of the team performance really pleased manager Northeast.

He said: ‘We were really good.

‘I felt we controlled the game throughout and that was one of the most pleasing aspects.

‘We were always in control of the play. It was nice to see.

‘To be in control throughout the whole game is very rare so it was very pleasing.

‘There was an expectancy on us to get the win and we dealt with that.

‘We scored six goals and kept a clean sheet so we are happy.

‘Plymouth have got a new manager who was in charge for the first game.

‘This can be tricky. It was something we spoke about before the match.

‘We warned the players to be on their toes.

‘It was important to make sure we were in the right frame of mind.

‘We knew they would be wanting to impress the new manager.

‘Talking about this before the match helped to ensure our players were focused.’

Bloomfield got the opening goal for the Blues and Kempson netted the second.

Gemma Hillier was fouled in the box on the hour and Kempson converted the penalty to make it 3-0.

Quinn was then felled in the area and Kempson completed her hat-trick from the spot.

Midfielder Clark scored the fifth goal.

And Stephens wrapped up the scoring with a header to make it 6-0.

Northeast added: ‘Most of the goals scored were good team efforts.

‘We had two penalties and they had no complaints about those.

‘It was a variety of scorers which is important.

‘It’s something we were lacking slightly in the first half of the season.’

Pompey travel away to West Ham on Sunday in the league.

The development squad beat Southampton Saints 4-1 in FA Premier League south reserves division and are now unbeaten in 11 matches.