Durham Women made it two wins from two at the start of the Barclays Women’s Championship season – after a comfortable victory at Portsmouth.
Hannah Blake and Lily Crosthwaite netted in the first half with Beth Hepple rounding-off the scoring in second half injury time.
The visitors had plenty of other chances to extend their lead at Westleigh Park as they secured a second three points of the season.
Adam Furness made just one change from the side that beat Sheffield United on the opening day as Kaila Novak replaced Ella Wilson.
And the Canadian winger played a key role as Durham found the opener after just twelve minutes. After neat interplay on the left flank, Novak found Blake in space and she unleashed an unstoppable first-time effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
That buoyed the visitors who started to dominate – Mollie Lambert and Crosthwaite both denied by smart Hannah Haughton stops.
But Pompey almost drew level when Emma Jones reacted quickest to turn the ball goalwards after a free-kick wasn’t fully cleared, with only a point-blank stop from Tatiana Saunders denying her.
It was Durham who ended the half strongly though and after Carly Johns curled narrowly wide after stealing possession, a second came through Crosthwaite – as she steered home Novak’s low cross at close range.
Portsmouth began the second half on the front foot and could have reduced the deficit when Jones found herself through on goal, but her effort flashed just wide of the far post.
Chances were at a premium as Durham smartly managed the game, restricting the hosts’ chances despite them seeing more of the ball.
And having soaked up that pressure, Hepple added a third in injury time as her corner swung over everyone and in at the back post.