SUPER Falcons ace, Ini Umotong was in fine form for Portsmouth Ladies as they made it through to the 3rd Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup following a comfortable 2-0 win over Cardiff City Ladies.Winger Lucy Quinn opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a stunning free-kick which sailed past goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan into the far corner.
Pompey enjoyed much of the possession and the better of the chances as Sarah Kempson added a second five minutes into the second-half following a great run from Nadine Bazan.
It was the home side who kicked off the match and they were the quickest off the mark as Bazan raced down the wing but under able to get the cross away.
Three minutes in and Pompey thought they had taken the lead through Umotong, the striker ran at goal she beat the keeper to score but the referee disallowed the goal for a handball by the Nigerian.
Pompey continued to have chances captain Gemma Hillier’s effort was comfortably saved by O’Sullivan and Umotong was beaten off the ball by the Cardiff defence.
Cardiff have two chances at goal but neither trouble Michelle Beazley in the Pompey net, the first a chipped ball in was as easy collection and the second was wide.
The opener came to the dominate Pompey in the 18th minute when Umotong was fouled outside the left-hand side of the penalty area.
Molly Clark and Quinn both stepped up to take it, following some quick instructions the later sent the ball flying through the box and into the Cardiff far top corner. Quinn now sits on nine goals for the season.
Pompey built from the goal and continued to trouble the Cardiff back four with Quinn and Umotong doing the most damage.
Umotong played a great ball into the box with Kempson running in but O’Sullivan just beat the midfielder to it.
The Nigerian international then had a go herself with a wonder strike left of the goal which just sailed over the top of the net.
Cardiff came close just after the restart with a chipped shot towards Beazley’s net, the away following think they’ve scored but it goes over the crossbar.
Following on from a great first-half Pompey find a second goal in the 50th minute.
Bazan reacted quickly to a Cardiff clearance, controlling and racing down the wing rounding several players before playing the ball into Kempson who neatly finishes an excellent move.
Past the hour mark and the heavens opened up to pouring rain and hailstones.
Both teams battled on with Pompey still enjoying the better of the match and the Blues defence holding their line to prevent a Cardiff attack.
The Blues searched for a third goal and came closest through substitute Emma Sherwood.
Sherwood’s close range volley was well saved by O’Sullivan who palmed it over the crossbar for a Pompey corner.
The game ended 2-0 to Pompey who progress into the FA Women’s Cup 3rd Round Proper where they will face Women’s Super League 2 side Aston Villa Ladies away from home on Sunday 7th February.
Photo credit pitcher.com
