Pompey Ladies will relish Aston Villa test

Pompey Ladies will be heading to Aston Villa after beating Cardiff 2-0 in the FA Women's Cup on Sunday at Furze Lane.
Lucy Quinn netted a fine goal for the BluesLucy Quinn netted a fine goal for the Blues
Lucy Quinn netted a fine goal for the Blues

Perry Northeast’s side have been drawn away to the FA Super League 2 side.

It will be an exciting test and the Blues will take confidence from their excellent win against FA Premier League southern division rivals Cardiff.

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Lucy Quinn and Sarah Kempson got the goals to seal a place in the third round, scheduled for Sunday, February 7.

A home draw would have been nice again.

But Northeast is excited about the challenge of taking on Super League opposition.

He said: ‘I’m pleased with it. We will plan well for it.

‘We can create an underdog mentality, we know we will be underdogs for the match.

‘There is a point to prove and we are confident our players can play at Super League level.

‘It is chance to showcase what we have got.’

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The Blues started well against Cardiff and thought they had taken the lead when striker Ini Umotong found the back of the net after five minutes.

But that effort was ruled out with the reason not clear to the Pompey management.

To their credit the players responded in the right way.

They knuckled down and attacked the Ipswich defence in waves.

That effort paid off when Quinn gave the hosts the lead.

The talented attacker has a reputation for striking the ball well from set-plays and she netted a scorching free-kick in the 18th minute.

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Five minutes into the second half, Kempson doubled the Blues’ lead.

She slotted home after a brilliant run down the flank from Nadine Bazan.

Cardiff tested Blues keeper Michelle Beazley from outside the box but she made some good saves and the defence held strong.

Northeast was pleased with his team’s performance.

He said: ‘We started on the front foot and had the goal disallowed with Ini Umotong scoring.

‘It was frustrating but we used it positively.

‘Lucy Quinn scored a wonderful free-kick.

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‘It was a difficult area to strike from, wide from the side of the 18-yard box, but it is what she does.

‘During the break we spoke about getting a goal early in the second half and we did that.

‘It was a good counter-attacking goal, scored by Sarah after a great run from Nadine.

‘Cardiff were dangerous going forward but Michelle Beazley had a very good game in goal.

‘And our defenders didn’t feel under too much pressure.’

Next for Pompey Ladies is a trip to the Isle of Wight to face Shanklin in the Hampshire FA Challenge Cup on Sunday.