Women's football: Barnet begin Cup defence with win

Former England midfielder Dani Murphy was on target as Barnet started their defence of the Women's Premier League Cup with a 3-0 win at Tottenham.

Murphy, a past League Cup winner with Millwall Lionesses and Charlton as well as the Bees, hit the opening goal in the first-round group game.

Charlton trounced Brighton 6-2, Gemma Bryan hitting a hat-trick.

There was also a treble for Reading's Nicki Watts in a 3-1 win against Keynsham.

Sunday's other League Cup ties were all between regional division teams, Portsmouth producing the outstanding display in a 7-0 hammering of Plymouth Argyle.

Murphy put the Cup holders in front just after the half-hour, turning in a Cheryl Williams cross at the far post.

Player of the match Williams added the second goal when her 52nd-minute cross-cum-shot floated into the top far corner of the net.

Williams then clinched victory 16 minutes from time, dispossessing a defender to shoot just inside the near post.

A long-range shot by Ellie Bailes gave Charlton an eighth-minute lead, but Kim Stenning forced home a loose ball to equalise in the 22nd minute.

Bryan hooked in a volley to put the Addicks back in front 17 minutes into the second half and, 12 minutes later, Jenny Newman's close-range shot extended the lead.

Bryan made sure of victory with a 20-yard drive in the 77th minute and a 12-yard toe-poke with just five minutes remaining.

Kirsty Barton fired home a 25-yard consolation goal but, a minute from time, substitute Fliss Gibbons headed in goal number six for the home side.

Reading had to come from behind to beat their Southern Division opponents after Suzanne Grant had given Keynsham a 55th-minute lead.

It took just eight minutes for the Royals to equalise through Watts, who went on to complete her hat-trick with two late goals in as many minutes.

Women's Premier League Cup

Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Rochdale

Charlton Athletic 6-2 Brighton

Colchester United1-1 West Ham United

Millwall Lionesses 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Portsmouth 7-0 Plymouth Argyle

Preston North End 2-4 Manchester City

Reading 3-1 Keynsham

Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Barnet