Luton Town Ladies’ FA Cup campaign came to an end on Sunday afternoon after a 5-0 loss to Championship side Portsmouth.
There was one change to the starting 11 which took on Stevenage in the second round last week with Shanice Lewis replacing Cesca Partridge in the front line.
Portsmouth showed their quality early on, forcing Sarah Hudson into a great save, the rebound then fell to Emma Jones who curled her effort wide of the post.
Portsmouth took the lead five minutes in through Ava Rowbotham. Annie Rolf played the Pompey number 8 through on goal and she fired the ball into the roof of the net from just inside the area.
The Town almost replied instantly, Tasha Fensome’s attempted lob sailed just over the bar.
On 10 minutes, Hudson made another great save. Portsmouth squared the ball in the box and looked certain to score, but Luton’s number 1 got down low to make another great save.
As Pompey pressed, Nicole Farmer produced a great bit of defending, sliding in to halt a promising looking Portsmouth counter attack.
Back came the Hatters and a free-kick, just inside Portsmouth’s half, was swung in by Fiona Buttigieg but Portsmouth were able to head clear at the back post.
Hudson produced more incredible goalkeeping, she made a reaction save at her near post as the Hatters were unable to clear and Portsmouth created another chance, which was then held by last weekend’s FA Cup hero.
On the half hour mark, Portsmouth doubled their lead when Sophie Quirk netted from close range after a pinpoint delivery from Rolf.
Just before the break it was 3-0 as Quirk scored her second and Portsmouth’s third. The ball fell to Quirk after a goalmouth scramble and she rifled the ball into the roof of the net.
The Town dealt with everything Portsmouth threw at them in the opening 15 of the second half. The Hatters broke free on the left hand side after some blistering pace from Gabriella Spillman, which saw her fly past the Portsmouth right back, who eventually dragged her down.
With 20 minutes played in the second half Portsmouth scored their fourth when Quirk secured her hat-trick with a smart finish into the bottom right corner of the net.
Georgie Freeland then bagged Portsmouth’s fifth with five minutes left, arriving at the end of a cross to head the ball home.
It is another FA Cup campaign and performance to be proud of from the Hatters who now turn their attention to Watford Ladies Development in the League Cup next weekend.
Report by Owen Williams
