FA Women’s National League
Northern Premier Division
Newcastle Utd moved three points closer towards the league title and the Championship play-off match when they won 3-2 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the result does not reveal the extent of a second half fightback by the Magpies. Indeed, they appeared to be on their way towards only their second defeat of the season as Wolves took their FA Cup form into the league and went two goals ahead at the break, thanks to two goals from Amber Hughes. Kacie Elson, on as a half time substitute, pulled a goal back for Newcastle within ten minutes of the restart and Jasmine McQuade levelled the scores with eleven minutes remaining. With injury time about to start, Newcastle took the lead for the first time through Katie Barker and they held on for a victory which takes them twelve points clear at the top.
One other match was played in the division on the weekend, West Bromwich Albion notching up a third win in four matches, 1-0 against Halifax FC Women to take themselves up to fifth place. Delphi Cole scored the only goal of the game as Albion avenged their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Halifax last month.
Southern Premier Division
Hashtag Utd attempts to catch up ground on leaders Portsmouth were met with frustration on Sunday as a second half comeback from Plymouth Argyle saw them pegged back to a 2-2 draw. Wiktoria Fronc got the Tags off the best of starts when she gave them the lead in the opening minute and this was doubled at the midway point, when recent signing Valentine Pursey scored her third goal in two matches. The Tags looked to be on their way towards a result which would see them halve Pompey’s advantage to three points but there was to be a sting in the tail as in-form striker Ellie Sara netted twice in the last six minutes to take her league tally to 14 for the season and put her side on the verge of safety.
Oxford Utd meanwhile strengthened their chances of a top four finish and halted the recent good run of Cardiff City Ladies by beating them 1-0, the prolific Zoe Barratt scoring the only goal of the game shortly before half time.
Division One North
Hull City moved to within two points of the leadership as they ran out 5-0 winners over Chorley in the only match in the division on Sunday. Rachael Ackroyd and Helen Lynskey each bagged doubles and Ellie Tanser added the other goal as third placed Hull, who have three games in hand on the two teams above them, stepped up their challenge.
On Thursday night, Leeds Utd raced to one of their biggest victories of the season when they defeated York City 5-1. Jessica Rousseau put Leeds in front in the opening minute and the striker went on to hit a hat-trick, along with Charlyann Pizzarello and Alice Hughes, whilst York’s consolation came from Jessica Holder.
Chorley meanwhile put their defeat a few days earlier behind them to win 5-1 against FC United of Manchester. Millie Fitzpatrick was on target twice for Chorley along with Safron Newhouse, Charlotte Tyers and Megan Searson, with Ella Ritchie replying.
Division One Midlands
While Loughborough Lightning were on County Cup duty on Sunday, Sporting Khalsa took the opportunity to replace them at the top of the table with a 3-0 victory against Sheffield FC on Sunday. Isabelle Asutin-Short netted a first half brace to put Khalsa in a strong position and Layla Kennerley wrapped up the win with the third goal, fifteen minutes from time.
Northampton Town were unable to make up much ground on the top four as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Lincoln City. The Lady Imps took the lead shortly before half time through Lucy Farrow and they remained in front until eleven minutes from time, when Fay Noble salvaged a point for the Cobblers.
Northampton were in action again on Tuesday night, and this time they ran out 6-0 winners over Solihull Moors. Jade Bell had a great day in front of goal for Northampton as she hit a first half hat-trick before adding a fourth after the break, with Alex Dicks and Paige Ridley joining her on the scoresheet.
Division One South East
One game was played in the division on Sunday and it was a crucial one at the wrong end of the table, with the teams occupying the bottom two positions coming face to face. In the end it was visitors Cambridge City who gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a 2-0 victory, which leaves them one point away from safety, with Megan Edwards and Rebecca Stephenson scoring their goals.
Division One South West
AFC Bournemouth narrowed the gap on leaders Exeter City to six points with a 3-0 victory away to Maidenhead Utd. Ellie Butler gave the Cherries a seventh minute lead and they went on to add further goals after the break through Molly Barron-Clark and Kelci Bowers.
Southampton Women meanwhile extended their unbeaten run to four matches and picked up another valuable point in their quest for survival when they battled out a goalless draw with Keynsham Town.
Keynsham were in action again on Thursday night but it was hosts Swindon Town who put their miniature dip in form firmly behind them to run out 5-0 winners. Megan Jarvis opened the scoring for the Wiltshire side and Ellie Strippel netted a goal in each half, either side of a brace from the prolific Annabelle Colston.
The win keeps Swindon in third place and three points ahead of Moneyfields, who returned to fourth place with a twelve-goal blast against Selsey Women whose ordeal of a season is nearly over. Kau’inohea Taylor led the scoring with a hat-trick, Charley Wilson-Wilton and Gemma Simmonds each weighed in brace and they were joined on the scoresheet by Kim Fuller, Emma Moody, Kirsty Pearce, Megan Fox and Kiera Heslam.
Reserve Section round-up….
The Final of the Reserves League Cup will be an all-Southern affair after Oxford Utd defeated Durham Cestria 5-0 in the semi finals. Amy Woodhead netted twice along with Poppy Dearlove, Cheyenne Flynn and Lucy Trinder. Oxford’s opponents in the Final will be AFC Bournemouth who notched up a fine 1-0 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, courtesy of a tenth minute goal from Elin Starck.
In the Reserves League Plate, Sophie Coward bagged a brace and the others came from Fatima Santos Costa and Paris Gillespie as Liverpool Feds won 4-1 at Southampton Women, whose consolation came from Chloe Ball. The Feds will be up against Peterborough Utd who beat Queen’s Park Rangers 1-0, Tilly Sands scoring the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time.
