Portsmouth maintain 100 per cent start to Hampshire Women’s League season by beating former table-toppers away

They travelled to table-topping Basingstoke 2nds and claimed their third successive win.

Two goals in the last 10 minutes gave Portsmouth a 4-2 success on a very slippery, well-watered pitch.

Basingstoke made much of the early running while Portsmouth, fielding two debutants in Eleanor Skinner and Lois McGuire, struggled to get into their stride.

The visitors had to rely heavily on their well-marshalled defence in which left-back Jess Smith had to work hard controlling a lively forward line.

After a goalless first half, Portsmouth adjusted and shortened their passing game.

This drew almost immediate dividends as, from their first short corner, a well-rehearsed routine saw the ball reverse slipped by Nadz Moore for Zoe Wimshurst to score.

This seemed to disrupt the home side’s concentration and Portsmouth quickly capitalised with top scorer Katie Spooner sweeping home an angled reverse stick strike.

Basingstoke, though, were not to be outdone and hit back to level.

Undeterred, Portsmouth retook the lead when a fast breakout and great inter-passing ended with McGuire scoring.

Katie Paulson-Pond added the fourth from a narrow angle two minutes from time..

Defender Anne Eadie was chosen as player of the game, and Portsmouth now host rock bottom Fleet & Ewshot this weekend.

They can go top on goal difference with a big win, as the two teams above them - Wimborne and Bournemouth - face each other.

Portsmouth 2nds claimed their first Hampshire Division 1 points at the third attempt with a 3-1 home win over Aldershot & Farnham 2nds.

All the goals came in the first half from Beatrice Gall, Emily Crowcroft and Hayley Armstrong, the last two goals coming from short corners.

Midfielder Joni Duffus was awarded player of the match.

Portsmouth 3rds led Gosport 2-0 in Hampshire Division 3.

But they ended up losing 4-3 and are bottom of the embryonic table, still searching for their first point.

Rebecca Clay fired Portsmouth into the lead before Gosport hit back to lead 3-2.

After Portsmouth were awarded a couple of penalty corners, Nicola Puckett levelled from one of them.

Katie Allard and Helen Perriam were jointly awarded the player of the match award.

Portsmouth 4ths are joint top of Hampshire Division 6 after a second straight win.

They triumphed 3-1 at Southampton 5ths with Michelle Hughes scoring the only goal of the first half.

Portsmouth won a host of penalty corners after the break and, from one of them, Jane Noble doubled the lead.

Noble also scored the final goal in a game where Portsmouth did not concede a single penalty corner.

Player of the match was jointly given to Laura Burden-Smith, for the second week in a row for great defending and quick attacks, and two-goal Noble.

Portsmouth 5ths were drubbed 6-0 at home by Aldershot & Farnham in Hampshire Division 7.

Aldershot, who had won their opening game 10-0, struck four times in the first half against an over-worked Hannah Bennett in goal.

In the same division, Portsmouth 6ths lost 1-0 at Wimborne 3rds, the only goal coming late on in the second half.

Florence De Marco struck a consolation as Portsmouth Under-16s, playing their first game as a team together, lost 6-1 at Gosport.

Poppy Searle stepped in as goalkeeper and produced some fine saves.