FA Women’s National League 
Northern Premier Division
Rugby Borough took the opening day honours as they ran out 5-0 winners over newly promoted Peterborough Utd. Rugby, who finished in third last season, got off to a flying start with Mai Moncaster and Malika Apinida Gille put them two ahead inside the opening fourteen minutes, before both players completed their doubles shortly before half time. Eve Clarkson rounded off a great day for her side when she scored the fifth goal, midway through the second half.
Liverpool Feds also started well with a 5-1 victory against Derby County. Georgia Walters put the Feds in front midway through the first half and the Ewes hit back just before half time, levelling through Dolcie O'Connor. Emma Johnson and Jessica Brady both scored for the Feds within ten minutes of the restart, with Seren Carrington and Madison Bouggess also getting on the scoresheet late on.
Stoke City meanwhile got off to a solid start, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at the Bet365 Stadium. Both Stoke goals came during the first half, Roisin Kivel giving them a 21st minute lead and Delphi Cole netting the second, five minutes before the break.
Hull City made sure their trip to Loughborough Lightning was a successful one, returning home with a 3-2 victory under their belts. Denver Thompson put Loughborough in front just after the half hour mark but the mark was turned on its head on the stroke of half time, when Sian Gibrill-Keating and Ellie Tanser both scored for Hull. Ella Jarowicki levelled things up again after the break but a goal sixteen minutes from time by Helen Lynskey proved to be decisive.
Boldmere St Michaels meanwhile marked their return to Tier 3 with a notable 1-0 win against Middlesbrough. Evie Hughes got the Mikes off to a great start when she netted what turned out to be the only goal of the game with fifteen minutes on the clock.
Two other newly promoted sides came face to face as Norwich City hosted Huddersfield Town and the spoils were shared as the match finished in a 1-1 draw. After a goalless first half, Rebecca Beresford struck on the hour mark to give Town the lead in a closely fought game and seven minutes later, the Canaries replied through Issy Moore to ensure both sides went away with a point.
Southern Premier Division
Oxford Utd got off to a fantastic start with an impressive 4-0 victory away to Exeter City. All four goals at St James' Park came during the first half, Holly Manders firing the U's in front from a free kick and Emma Thompson made it two at the midway point. Manders and Thompson then each netted a second as half time approached, to seal a perfect opening game for Liam Gilbert's side.
Newly promoted Swindon Town made an impact as they marked their return to Tier 3 status by beating Plymouth Argyle 4-2, courtesy of a second half fightback. Argyle started well at the County Ground and twice took a first half lead through Shana Dolbel and Ellie Bishop, with Taylor MacDonald having equalised on the first occasion. After the break, Swindon scored twice in quick succession through Annabelle Colston and Tori St Clair, before Izzy Cook sealed the points with the fourth goal, ten minutes from time.
Real Bedford also made sure of a good start, winning 3-1 against Cheltenham Town at Bishop's Cleeve. Lucy Wood and Melis Mehmet put Real two goals ahead inside the opening half hour and after Leonie Joyce reduced the arrears shortly before half time, debutant Blue Bartlett-Antwi wrapped up the points for Real with the third goal late on.
After finishing in third place last season, AFC Bournemouth embarked on what they hope will be another title challenge with a 1-0 success away to AFC Wimbledon. Jenna Markham settled matters when she scored the only goal of the game during first half injury time.
There was late drama at Motspur Park as Fulham marked their first match at this level since promotion by beating Portsmouth 1-0. The teams were two tiers apart last season but Fulham have strengthened well during the summer with some notable signings, however Pompey, seeking to regain their lost WSL2 status, also had their moments in well contested game until deep into injury time, when Ellie Olds gave Fulham the points with a diving header.
The spoils were shared at the Dripping Pan as Lewes and Hashtag Utd battled out a 1-1 draw. Olivia Johnson opened the scoring for the Rookettes in the 17th minute with a cross-cum-shot, before second half pressure from the Tags was rewarded when Macey Nicholls earned her side a point from the penalty spot.
Division One North
Leeds Utd opened up the new campaign with a powerful 7-0 victory against league newcomers Thornaby Women. Amy Woodruff led the scoring with a brace of goals and there was one apiece from Darcey Greene, Drew Greene and Chloe Dixon, with two own goals completing the tally.
A new era for Stockport County has begun and did so with style, scoring six times without reply past Chester-le-Street Town. Ellie Fletcher opened the scoring midway through the first half and she went on to complete a hat-trick after the break, whilst Meg Boydell and Emily Bradshaw joined her on the scoresheet along with an own goal.
AFC Fylde's return to the National League ended on a winning note, beating Halifax FC Women 3-1. Niamh Corrigan and Beth Mason ensured that the Coasters were two ahead at half time and Ciara Boylan put the seal on the win with the third goal, before the visitors grabbed an injury time consolation through Anna Phillips.
Norton & Stockton Ancients meanwhile got off to a good start as a goal in each half took them to a 2-0 win against Durham Cestria. Louise Atkinson opened the scoring in first half injury time, with Bianca Owens wrapping up the win with the second goal.
Newly promoted Bradford City marked their return to the league with a win, edging out Chorley by the odd goal in five. Two goals in quick succession midway through the first half from Ava Spencer-Smith and Summer Paley gave City a two-goal lead with Chorley battling back after the break. Olivia Ellinson, along with an own goal, brought the Magpies back on level terms but Bradford were to have the final say with Spencer-Smith scoring a second and decisive goal.
Honours were even at Darwen where Blackburn Rovers and York City fought out a 2-2 draw. The MinsterBelles went two goals in front during the first half, thanks to Ella Martin and Katie Astle, but after the break, Rovers fought back strongly and goals from Rachel Lawrence and Rebekah Coe ensured they ended up with a point.
Division One Midlands
Wythenshawe made an impressive start after switching divisions at the end of last season, running out 4-1 winners against Northampton Town. Rachael Dunlop gave the Cheshire side a first half lead which was quickly cancelled out by Freya Pearce, but goals in the final quarter of the game from Jessica Gillin, Sophie John and Kemi Olushonde tipped the match firmly in Wythenshawe's favour.
Sporting Khalsa's aims to bounce back up at the first attempt began encouragingly for them as they defeated Notts County 3-0. Ruby Millington and Maddie Williams both scored as Khalsa went two ahead inside the opening fifteen minutes and Eva Cassidy wrapped up the win with the third goal, just after the hour mark.
Leafield Athletic narrowly got the better of Worcester City, with a late goal earning them a 3-2 win. After Lowri Walker had put Worcester ahead, a quickfire brace from Adela Qose gave Leafield the lead going into the break. Olivia Stubbs levelled matters once more midway through the second half but with eight minutes remaining, Evie Gallop gave Leafield the points.
Newly promoted Chesterfield were the day's other winners, with a 1-0 success away to Barnsley Women. Imogen Fowler gave the Spireites a dream start to life in the league when she scored the only goal of the game, five minutes before half time.
A late equaliser meanwhile earned Kidderminster Harriers a 1-1 draw against Sheffield FC. Laura Bartup opened the scoring for Sheffield in first half injury time and they remained in front until five minutes from time, when an Olivia Mitcham goal gave Harriers a share of the spoils.
Honours were also even at Sutton Coldfield Town where Lye Town marked their first ever match in the league with a point from a 1-1 draw. After a goalless first half, Anita Gaspar gave Sutton the lead ten minutes after the restart and a further ten minutes later, Natasha Baptiste netted the equaliser for Lye.
Division One South East
London Bees are the opening day leaders following a 5-1 victory against newly promoted Stevenage Women. The Bees finished in third place last season and are expected to be amongst the top sides in a tough division, and they gave Stevenage a baptism of fire when Samantha Lanza Gabian netted an early brace, with Hayley Hoare and Elizabeth Mulvaney adding further goals ahead of half time. Betty Larkin rounded off the win with a fifth goal with fifteen minutes left, before Olivia Oshodi grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.
Cambridge Utd meanwhile started the season well, running out 4-0 winners away to Billericay Town. Tally Miles and Renai Bennett ensured that the U's were two ahead at half time, with Ella Gambell crowning the win with a late brace.
Queen's Park Rangers narrowly got the better of Luton Town with a 1-0 victory. Jessica Leach netted the only goal of the game for the R's, eight minutes before the interval.
Another newly promoted side made a winning start, with Saltdean Utd beating Milton Keynes Dons 1-0. Georgia Bridges settled matters with the solitary goal after eleven minutes.
There was a late drama at Chatham Town, where the home side battled out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Actonians Ladies. Amelia Woodgate and Madison Woodgate gave the Chats the lead at half time, either side of a leveller from Lois Colley. After the break, Georgie Griffin bagged a brace to turn the match around in Actonians' favour, but their hopes of victory were dashed in the dying minutes when Hope Thompson earned Chatham a share of the spoils.
Dartford made their National League debut by hosting Dulwich Hamlet and both teams are off the mark after finishing level at 1-1. Kizzanna Fergus put Hamlet ahead on the hour mark and they remained in front until injury time, when the Darts grabbed an equaliser through Jade Charlton.
Division One South West 
Gwalia Utd's task to regain their lost status after being relegated last season got off to the best of starts as they scored six times without reply past Ascot Utd. Molly Kehoe put Gwalia in front in the opening minute and they never looked back from that point, Esme Kilburn-Thompson spearheading the win by hitting a hat-trick and further goals coming from Manon Pearce and Summer Evans.
Moneyfields narrowly missed out on the title last season but they have served notice that they are set to be amongst the leading sides this time around, opening up by beating Maidenhead Utd 4-0. Tierney Scott gave the Moneys a first half lead which was doubled on the stroke of half time by Kaylee Buckingham. After the break, Buckingham increased their advantage with her second goal and Megan Fox rounded off the scoring in injury time.
Bridgwater Utd also made an impressive start with a 3-0 success away to Bristol Rovers. Manfy Sharpe headed them in front just before half time and after Aimee Kingdon slid in the second on the hour mark, Abbey Hateley completed the win by volleying home the third against her former club.
Abingdon Utd meanwhile edged out Marine Academy Plymouth with a 2-1 victory at Northcourt Road. Mollie Dyer put Abingdon in front midway through the first half and Molly Lygo-Jackson netted a decisive second, with Kelsey Blight grabbing a consolation for the visitors.
Bournemouth Sports also picked up three points when they defeated Keynsham Town 2-1. Molly Gladwell put Sports ahead midway through the first half and after Sachiko Kaneko-Grun levelled the scores shortly before half time, Gladwell netted a second moments later to give her side victory.
The two newly promoted sides came face to face on the opening day and it was Wycombe Wanderers who were narrow 1-0 winners over Torquay Utd. Megan Arnott settled matters when she scored the only goal of the game, fourteen minutes from time.
Photo - Aimee Kingdon slides in to score Bridgwater United’s second goal against Bristol Rovers.
