FA Women’s National League round-up
League Cup
Huddersfield Town completed the semi final line up when they won 4-1 away to Brighouse Town in their quarter final on Wednesday night. Laura Elford hit a hat-trick for Town and Brittany Sanderson was also on target, whilst Brighouse's consolation came from Drew Greene.
Northern Premier Division
Derby County's hopes of returning to the top of the table were dashed as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fast improving Loughborough Lightning. The Ewe Rams led at the interval through an early goal from Ellie Gilliatt, but Loughborough hit back after the break and a goal from Abbie Benstead earned them a share of the spoils.
Nottingham Forest meanwhile defeated Hull City 1-0 and the result takes them back into the top four. Substitute Charlotte Greengrass settled matters with the only goal of the game, midway through the second half.
Southern Premier Division
In the only match to be played in the division on the weekend, Ipswich Town restored their five point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory away to Crawley Wasps. Abigail Lafayette and Paige Peake were the markswomen for the Tractor Girls.
Division One North
Nothing was played in the division on Sunday but there was action in midweek. On Wednesday night, Chester-le-Street Town picked up a valuable point when they battled out a goalless draw with fifth placed Norton & Stockton Ancients.
Third placed Leeds Utd meanwhile shared six goals with Bradford City, who move a point back in front of Chester-le-Street. Kanisha Underdown scored twice and Olivia Smart the other for Leeds, whilst Bradford replied through an Ellie Prothero brace and Charlotte Stuart.
Division One Midlands
Lincoln City came from a goal behind to beat Peterborough Utd and catch up ground on the top three. Megan Parrett put the Posh Women ahead early on, but Chantelle Robinson brought the scores level ahead of the break and Jessica Rousseau grabbed the winner for Lincoln midway through the second half.
Sporting Khalsa consolidated themselves in mid-table with a 1-0 success away to Wem Town. Megan Cann scored the only goal of the game for Khalsa on the hour mark.
Leafield Athletic and Solihull Moors battled out a 1-1 draw, which means that Leafield stay one point ahead of their opponents. Both goals came in the opening twelve minutes, Tiana Russell-Cartwright giving Solihull an early lead and Chloe Shirley equalising for Leafield via a free kick.
Division One South East
Two goals in four second half minutes gave Queen's Park Rangers a 2-0 victory over London Seaward and put a gap of six points between the two teams. The first half was goalless but after the break, Demi Edwards scored twice in quick succession to give fifth placed Rangers the points.
Enfield Town climbed out of the bottom four after scoring six times without reply past Kent Football Utd. Leah Littlechild netted a first half brace and she was joined on the scoresheet by Mollie Kmita, Sheryce Slater and Che Thomas along with an own goal.
Stevenage Women picked up three important points when they won 2-1 away to Norwich City. Holly Greenwood and Amy Makewell scored the goals for Stevenage to give them a win which takes them three points behind Norwich, whose consolation came from Freya Symonds.
Division One South West
Portishead Town notched up their fourth league victory of the season on Sunday when beating Poole Town 4-0. Shannon Holloway gave them the league just before half time and they added further goals in the second half through Emily Lindsey, Nathalie Zajaczkowski and Alanna Torrington.
On Wednesday night, AFC Bournemouth narrowed the gap on leaders Cheltenham Town to two points with a 4-0 victory over Poole Town. Jade Bradley, Becki Bath, Katie James and Lucy Cooper were all on target for the Cherries.
Swindon Town followed up their County Cup success on the weekend by beating Larkhall Athletic 3-2. Helena Diaz-Butcher, Gipsy Viveash and Annabelle Colston all scored for Swindon.
Reserve Section round-up...
Stockport County have moved into second place in the Northern Division, level on points with leaders Chorley, after they defeated Brighouse Town 3-1. Ellie Richardson was on target twice for County, with Lucy Unwin adding the other.
Midland Division leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers have restored their eight point advantage by scoring ten times without reply against Solihull Moors. Daisy Wickett and Chantelle Teare spearheaded the win as they hit a hat-trick apiece, Nyah Edwards contributed a brace and there was one apiece from Natalie Widdal and Lauren Riley.
In the South East Division, Watford moved into second place after running out 11-3 winners against Milton Keynes Dons. Summer Roberts led the scoring with a four-goal haul, Alanna Chimonas and Lauren Cullum each netted twice and Ronnell Humes was also on the scoresheet. Stevenage Women meanwhile won 1-0 away to Cambridge Utd. Paige Pryor grabbed the only goal of the game to take Stevenage off the bottom of the table.
One match was played in the South West Division, Portsmouth picking up their second point of the season when sharing a 1-1 draw with Bridgwater Utd. It could have been even better for Pompey who led through a first half goal from Shannon Albuery, but they were denied a first victory by an injury time equaliser from Faith Bedford.
