STAND-IN captain Jenny Newman has been pleased with the Charlton women’s team’s improved two latest performances, despite those games yielding just one point.

Newman, skippering the side in the absence of the injured Kim Dixson, got on the scoresheet last Sunday in a six-goal thriller against Cardiff City at Sporting Club Thamesmead.

However, despite the team scoring three goals, they were denied all three points by a dubious last-minute penalty decision, allowing the Welsh side to level at 3-3.

“The second half was much better than the first,” she admitted.

“But at least we are starting to play better football.”

Newman hopes the Addicks can take this upturn in form into their FA Women’s Premier League Cup campaign, which begins on Sunday at home to Portsmouth.

She said: “In the last couple of games we have started to lift it a bit, but there is still a long way to go.

“We haven’t reached our potential, no way.

“In the second half against Cardiff you could tell we really wanted it.

“We just need to start earlier, start that from the beginning and then we will start beating teams like we should be.”

Newman added: “It’s good to have something else to think on because the league hasn’t gone to plan for us so far.

“Hopefully we can take a couple of weeks (they face Lewes in the cup the week after), put in some good performances and take that back into the league.”

Charlton v Pompey on Sunday kicks-off at 2pm at Sporting Club Thamesmead.

Tickets are priced £3 adults and £1 concessions.