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.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Barnet

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.

Charlton Athletic 6-2 Brighton

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 3-1 Keynsham

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