Johnsons take Burgess Hill to the cleaners

Round-up of the rest of the weekend’s women’s and girls’ football action

Amber Walker scored one of Abbey Rangers’ five goals against Burgess Hill 2nds

The big three in the South East Counties Division One West are already moving clear of the rest after extending their 100% records with convincing wins on Sunday.

Worthing Minors, who had already scored 23 goals in their first three games, appeared to ease off the gas with a mere 3-0 victory away to newly promoted Adur Athletic.

Phoebe Thorpe, Millie Crowhurst and top scorer Dani Lane scored the goals that left Adur just two off the bottom, with just a single point to date.

Herne Bay return to scene of cup triumph

Herne Bay won the SECW League Cup at Three Bridges in April

Herne Bay have another chance to kill a giant in the second qualifying round of the FAW Cup after being drawn away to Crawley Wasps.

Worthing look on the bright side after being stung by Wasps

Sent Her Forward round-up of FAW Cup action

Worthing Town went down to the sort of defeat they had already resigned themselves to when the South East Counties Premier Division newcomers lost 9-0 at Crawley Wasps in the first qualifying round of the FAW Cup.

But there was no despondency – just optimism, from the club’s chairman Tony Lelliott.

Double joy for pacesetters Pompey

Charley Wilson scored twice as Pompey impressed again (Photo: Lee Roberts)

Portsmouth made it a weekend to remember as the first team went to the top of the Premier League for the first time this season while their development side hit seven for the second Sunday in succession.

Charley Wilson scored twice as Pompey won 3-0 at West Ham to go two points clear of Brighton at the top of the league. The other was an own goal.

Spurs, who had the division’s only 100% record before yesterday’s round of matches, crashed 4-0 at Cardiff City, although they still have a game in hand of the top two.

Classy Portsmouth win battle of the next generation

Lewes Development 2 (Tibble 2) Portsmouth Development 7 (Skinner 2, Currie 2, Gratton 2, Dark)

Portsmouth were given a bit of a shock after leading Lewes 6-0 at half-time

Once again, the kids shine brightest. Several times last season the best matches I saw featured under-16s and under-18s, and so it was again today at Uckfield.

Only this time, it was an adult game.

Giants looking over their shoulders on FAW Cup weekend

A look at the rest of the weekend’s women’s football in the South East

Burgess Hill reached the qualifying round by winning a preliminary-round match against Abbey Rangers

The FAW Cup will prove a welcome distraction this weekend to several clubs struggling to get going in the league.

But it may not be quite so popular for some of those fearing heavy defeats at the hands of some of the region’s top sides.

A number of fifth-tier sides feature in the first qualifying round on Sunday, some looking for the opportunity to make real progress in the prestigious competition and others fearing becoming early giant-killing victims to some of the lower-level sides.

Premier League trio looking to hit top gear

Sent Her Forward takes a look at the highlights of Sunday’s fixture list

Three clubs will have their eyes on the Premier League top spot when they set off for tricky away matches on Sunday.

League dilemma as it struggles to balance fun and ambition

A strong Lancing side beat Predators’ nine players 14-0

One-sided games and double-figures scorelines might be the price clubs have to pay for women and girls to have the opportunity to play regular grassroots football.

The contention is a hard one for an objective observer – keen to see well-balanced, competitive matches – to accept, but illustrates the dilemma facing administrators while the women’s game is still expanding.

More double-figures wins as fixtures remain unfulfilled

Round-up of the rest of Sunday’s grassroots women’s football in the South East – including news of yet more postponements

Crawley Wasps got back to winning ways against Eastbourne Town (Photo: Dave Burt)

Buoyant Carshalton Athletic are continuing where they left off last season, with another big win putting them clear at the top of the London & South East Regional League.

The Surrey side, who won the county’s league and cup double last season, cruised to their fourth successive victory and preserved their 100% record, hammering Hassocks 11-0.

Laura Curtis scored five, taking her tally to 12 in five league and cup games as her team continue to take the regional league by storm.

Spurs and Pompey move clear in Premier League

Sarah Kempson and Leeta Rutherford both needed treatment after a clash of heads (Photo: Jordan Hampton)

A Lucy Quinn cracker helped take Portsmouth to within a whisker of the top of the Premier League as they held off a strong challenge from Charlton Athletic to win 2-1 at Cams Alders.

Quinn’s 25-yard volley – her fifth goal of the season – on the stroke of half-time proved enough to deny the Londoners a share of the points after Sam Pittuck had brought her side level with another fine long-range effort a few minutes earlier.