Sadler: Second-half display showed our class

Manager Jay Sadler was very happy with the way his team played as they responded well when the chips were down.

Lewes had led but the strength of the Pompey squad showed as they fought back.

Sadler said: ‘I am very proud of that second-half performance.

‘We showed the passion and our values. We got on the ball and played some superb football, and in the end were deserving winners.

‘Second half, the girls came out and showed how good we were.

‘The three subs, when they came on, changed the game.

‘We always looked solid.’

The FA Premier League southern division match was played at AFC Portchester’s Wicor Rec.

Lewes took the lead on 36 minutes when Avilla Bergin was brought down inside the Pompey box and she converted the penalty.

The visitors controlled most of the first half.

It didn’t take Pompey long to get back on level terms in the second period, though.

Just four minutes in, Samantha Quayle broke through and netted.

This sparked a comeback from the Blues.

Not long after, the match was turned on it’s head. Molly Clark scored after Pompey took advantage of a defensive mix-up by Lewes.

The lead was increased on 65 minutes when Jade Simmons took a free-kick, just outside the box, which was tipped on to the bar.

Quayle was there for the rebound in the box and slotted home for her second of the match.

Lewes pulled a goal back late on from a corner, and it was former Pompey midfielder Leeta Rutherford who got the touch in the box to set up a nervy ending.

The Blues thought they had a fourth goal late on, when a visiting defender had the ball in the back of her own net.

But the referee gave the free-kick for a foul on the Lewes keeper.

Pompey held out despite the late pressure and picked up all three points.

The Blues have now recorded three wins in a row in all competitions.

Sadler’s side are growing in confidence and will take a lot of heart from their second-half fightback.

They will look to keep the impressive form going when they travel to Wimbledon on Sunday for a FA Women’s Cup tie.

Pompey: Levett, Kirby, Southgate, Peck (Bazan 84), Currie, Boswell, Clark, Quayle, Stephens (James 88), Albuery (Simmons 63), Panting. Subs not used: Widdowson

– Ollie Cook