Wolves forge ahead
Northern Premier Division
Sunday could well turn out to be a hugely significant day in the title race as Wolverhampton Wanderers greatly strengthened their position at the top of the table. Wolves made the journey to Middlesbrough, who have been in excellent form recently, but they powered into a three-goal lead inside the opening twenty minutes thanks to an early strike by Amber Hughes and a Maz Gauntlett double. Anna Morphet rounded off the scoring for her side when she converted a penalty shortly before half time.
Wolves have now gone six points clear after second placed Derby County went down to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighouse Town. Leah Embley, Drew Greene and Lucy Sowerby all scored to give Brighouse a superb result, whilst Derby's first half consolation came from Amy Sims.
Fylde Women also received a setback as they were held to a 2-2 draw by West Bromwich Albion, who continue to improve. Jess Holbrook gave the Coasters a first half lead but Albion hit back strongly after the break with goals inside the opening seven minutes from Leigh Dugmore and Shannon Stamps. Faye McCoy equalised for Fylde shortly afterwards but an entertaining, end-to-end clash was to end level as neither side could find a winner.
The other match played on Sunday turned out to be a happy one for Hull City as they brought their seventeen match winless run to an end in style by beating Sheffield FC 4-0. Helen Lynskey and Rachael Ackroyd each scored twice to secure a result which takes Hull to within a point of their opponents.
Southern Premier Division
The top two were not in league action over the weekend, allowing Southampton FC Women an opportunity to catch up ground when they travelled to Cardiff City Ladies. This was an opportunity they took as Lucia Kendall gave them the lead just before half time and she went on to complete a hat-trick during the second half, before Ella Pusey put the seal on a 4-0 victory with the final goal late on.
Gillingham remain in fourth despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Chichester & Selsey, for whom the point was a valuable one. The Gills did take a first half lead thanks to Melanie Espinosa but were pegged back midway through the second half, when Chi scored an equaliser through Sophie Phelps.
Bridgwater Utd meanwhile put a seven point gap between themselves and Crawley Wasps after winning their meeting 2-1. Jenna Markham and Daniella Tyson scored the goals for Bridgwater, whilst the home side's consolation came from Imogen Lancaster.
Plymouth Argyle's climb to safety is looking more and more successful by the week and they took another huge stride by beating Milton Keynes Dons 5-1. The visitors had gone into the game on the back of a superb win against title chasing Oxford Utd seven days earlier but in-form Argyle raced to victory thanks to doubles from Natasha Knapman and Zoe Cunningham along with an own goal, whilst Nicole Pepper was on target for the Dons.
Keynsham Town brought their run of defeats to a close and improved their own survival prospects by running out 6-2 winners over Hounslow Women. Laura Williams spearheaded the win for Keynsham with a four-goal haul and she was joined on the scoresheet by Kerry Bartlett and Henna Butcher, whilst Hounslow's replies came through a double from Kayla Potter.
On Wednesday night, Southampton FC Women reeled in the top two a but further with a 2-1 victory away to London Bees. Lucia Kendall and Alisha Ware put the Saints two ahead early on, before Jo Wilson replied for the Bees during the second half.
Division One North
Newcastle Utd have opened up a lead of four points following their 2-0 win away to third placed Leeds Utd. Erin Nelson put Newcastle ahead during the first half and an own goal from the unfortunate Laura Bartup made the points safe after the break.
Durham Cestria moved themselves to within a single point of Leeds by running out 7-1 winners over FC United of Manchester. Ellen Turnbull led the scoring with a hat-trick and the others came from Amy Hargrave, Erin Nicholson, Nicki Gears and Anna Vince, with Kirsty Chambers replying.
Chorley returned to form with a 3-0 success away to Chester-le-Street Town. Emma Hickson gave the Magpies the lead on the half hour, before Jessica Gillin wrapped up the win with a second half brace.
Honours were even as Norton & Stockton Ancients and Stockport County battled out a 1-1 draw. Bianca Owens put Norton ahead during the first half, with Stockport hitting back for a share of the spoils when Kenedy Owen netted a late penalty.
Barnsley continued their battle for survival by winning 4-0 at Alnwick Town. Jodie Michalska put them ahead just before half time and a quickfire double after the break from Emily Brett and Courteney Csomor put them in control. Rebekah Coe rounded off the scoring with the fourth goal, nine minutes from time.
In midweek, Bradford City moved ever closer towards safety as they defeated Barnsley 3-1 with goals from Hope Knight, Amy-Leigh Barringham-Beck and Charlotte Stuart. Stockport County meanwhile beat Leeds Utd 4-2 to move back up to fifth place. Emma Lyons, Jess Battle and Maria Figueirdo put County three ahead at half time and after Leeds had fought back late on through Sarah Danby and Kanisha Underdown, Libby Dixon sealed the points for Stockport with their fourth goal in injury time.
Division One Midlands
Whilst their main rivals Doncaster Rovers Belles were in County Cup action, Boldmere St Michaels took the opportnity to open up a lead of nine points by winning 2-0 at Wem Town, thanks to goals from Lauren Da'Casto and Jessica Lundie.
Lincoln City meanwhile increased the gap between themselves and fourth placed Long Eaton Utd by beating them 3-0. Toni McHamilton and Chantelle Robinson put them two ahead going into half time, with Leah Hardy adding the third on the hour.
Leek Town continue to look good for a top half finish following their 6-1 victory over Bedworth Utd. Mollie Garner, Cassie Hyde, Chantelle Gallagher, Paris O'Connor and Katie Maya all scored a goal apiece for Leek, along with an own goal.
A 6-0 victory away to Burton Albion has taken Solihull Moors back into the top six. Leah Seivwright had a great day in front of goal as she bagged a four-goal haul and she was joined on the scoresheet by Cheyanne Jarvis and Jessica Lowe.
Peterborough Utd drew for the second successive week, this time sharing a 1-1 scoreline with Leafield Athletic. Katie Lowder put the Posh Women in front midway through the first half, with Kathryn Pagan equalising after the break.
Division One South East
Leaders Hashtag Utd battled out a goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon which leaves them five points ahead of second placed Billericay Town, who have played two games less. Third placed Wimbledon can still mathematically win the title although it is now looking unlikely.
Enfield Town kept themselves outside of the bottom four places, thanks to a 2-0 victory against Cambridge Utd. Both goals came in the last fourteen minutes of the match, substitute Alana Munro giving Enfield the lead and Leah Littlechild adding the second.
Norwich City remain just below the line but boosted their chances of climbing out with a 3-1 success away to Harlow Town, given to them by goals from Natasha Snelling, Kathryn Stanley and Freya Symonds.
Kent Football Utd notched up their second league victory of the season, a first half goal from Latifat Adaja earning them a 1-0 win against Cambridge City.
Division One South West
Cheltenham Town stretched their lead to four points, thanks to a 2-0 victory away to Portishead Town. Despite a spirited effort from the home side, two goals in three second half minutes saw Cheltenham home. Holly Rogers gave them the lead after seizing on an underhit back pass and before Portishead could recover, Tamzin Hayward scored the second. Cheltenham went on to keep their eighth clean sheet in fifteen league matches.
Southampton Women kept their title hopes alive as they ran out 4-0 winners at Maidenhead Utd. Rachel Okoro netted a goal in each half and she was joined on the scoresheet by Emily Wernham and Sian Wylie.
Excter City meanwhile received a setback when they were beaten 3-0 by Swindon Town. Megan Attenborough put Swindon in control by scoring either side of half time and Anna Barnes put the seal on their best result of the season with the third goal, midway through the second half.
Reserve Section round-up...
Chorley continue to increase their lead in the Northern Division, going eight points ahead after beating Durham Cestria 2-1. Beth Davies hit a hat-trick for Brighouse Town as they defeated Barnsley 7-4, with Arianne Parnham, Rosie Gill, Eleanor Lambert and Trinae Edwards adding the other goals. Leeds Utd meanwhile won 6-2 against Liverpool Feds, Katie Astle and Mia Moorhouse each netting twice along with Lauren Richardson and Abbie Langstaff.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are showing no signs of slowing up in the Midland Division. Having already clinched the title, they won 3-2 away to Sporting Khalsa thanks to Leonie Joyce (2) and Grace Gregory. Lily Jackson netted twice along with Casey Bearnon, Sarah Hassanin and Lauren Wilshaw as Stoke City defeated Leicseter City 5-1. Lincoln City won 3-0 against Solihull Moors, courtesy of a goal each from Lauren Nicholson, Stacey Buxton and Madison Green.
South East Division leaders Hashtag Utd stepped up their title challenge with a 3-0 victory against Watford in the only match played. All of the goals came during the first half, Macey Woolcock bagging a brace and Lily Wolstenholme adding the other.
AFC Wimbledon have replaced Crystal Palace in second place in the South Central Division after winning their meeting 4-2. Remmi Gardner was on target twice for the Dons and she was joined on the scoresheet by Chloe Gibney and Khyri McKenzie.
Southampton FC Women made sure of landing the South West Division title, thanks to a 5-0 victory over London City Lionesses. The two teams had met seven days earlier, with the Saints winning 1-0 on that occasion, but this time a Kaylee Buckingham double, Kitty Cleeve, Hannah Jeffrey and Emilie Castagna gave them the result they needed to put themselves beyond the reach of the other teams. Second placed Bridgwater Utd meanwhile drew 1-1 with Lewes, Niamh Nicholls scoring Bridgwater's goal. Erin Hartigan (2), Anais Harris-Beechers and Aleasha Lunn netted the goals as Oxford Utd ran out 4-0 winners over Chichester & Selsey.
