Four-some Khassal is star of the Blues show

Pompey Women's manager Jay Sadler saluted a near perfect way to start the new National League Southern Premier Division South season.

Debutant Cherelle Khassal, signed from Championship outfit Crystal Palace in the summer, struck an incredible four times after the restart while Shannon Albuery put the Blues on their way to a thumping 5-1 opening day-triumph over 10-player Plymouth Ladies.

Boss Sadler, who included debutants Khassal, Evie Gane, Dani Lane, Emma Jones and Jaime Gotch in the victory, said the only way the opening-day triumph could have been bettered was if the Blues had kept a clean sheet.

Still, the Pompey Women's manager was delighted with his side's five-star start to the season - particularly after what proved to be a testing pre-season.

Sadler said: ‘We didn’t have the best pre-season because we had a bit of a breakout (of Covid) in the squad and we had five girls come down with it or coming back from it.

‘We’ve had to kind of manage ourselves and other teams who we were meant to be playing in pre-season got it, so it affected game-time.

‘The relief when we were finally able to get out on the pitch and play, the manner in which we played, I was really happy with it.

‘To kick-start your campaign at home with three points, five goals, some fantastic individual and a team performance. Now, obviously, where we can use all five substitutes we were able to get 16 players out on the pitch, five debutants, all-in-all it was a very pleasing day.’

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the game sprung into life after the restart with six goals and a sending off all arriving.

Plymouth had Ramsey dismissed after she pulled back Khassal, above, on the edge of the area just four minutes after the break.

Albuery then fired Pompey in front a minute before the hour, although they were immediately pegged back as Dandridge's free-kick found the net.

Debutant Khassal soon took matters into her own hands, restoring Pompey’s lead on 71 minutes then netting a 17-minute treble - her second a penalty - to make it 4-1. There was still time for Khassal to add another in stoppage-time to round a fine first outing for the Blues.