Regional Leagues round-up…
East Midlands League
Chesterfield recorded the biggest victory on the opening day of the season in the Premier Division when they scored eight times without reply past Ilkeston Town. Jordan Atkin, Imogen Fowler and Romy Sheppard all bagged doubles along with Jesika Timson and Georgina Williams. Basford Utd got off to a good start, Natasha Leach scoring a hat-trick as they defeated Nottingham Trent University 7-1, Chloe Barkes, Chloe Phillips, Maisie Plumb and Alana Crawford joining her on the scoresheet. Amy Pashley (2) and Gabriella Foulkes gave Mansfield Town a 3-1 victory over Rotherham Utd and Sheffield FC were also 3-1 winners at Anstey Nomads thanks to Brooke Smith, Sadie Smith and Sam Brooks. SJR Worksop edged out Stamford 2-1, Millee Herbert-Clarke scoring both goals.
On Tuesday night, the campaign opened up in Division One Central, with Loughborough Foxes Vixens beating West Bridgford Colts 5-0, Amelie Johnson and Renae Huggan-Broughton each scoring twice and Libby Noble the other.
The first match in Division One South ended with Northampton Town Development and Dunton & Broughton Utd sharing a 1-1 draw, goals coming from Linda Jespere and Emily Miles respectively.
Eastern Region League
Neve Mayes and Emma Slater were both on target as Royston Town defeated Watford Development 2-0 to stay top of the Premier Division on goal difference from St Albans City, who won 4-1 at Bowers & Pitsea with strikes from Terri Harvey, Olivia Syson, Chloe Timms and Kiera Ward. Stevenage Women moved up to third when Lilia Dempsey, Amy Makewell and Gemma Croucher each netted twice in their 6-2 victory over Cambridge City whilst Haringey Borough were beaten for the first time, 4-1 by Luton Town whose markswomen were Natasha Fensome, Amber Leighton, Eleanor Wade and Carla Todd. Wroxham staged a second half comeback to share a 2-2 draw with Enfield Town, Hannah Fuller and Hayley Kindred scoring the goals to earn them a point after a brace from Shakira Waithe had put Enfield two ahead inside the opening fifteen minutes. Needham Market are on the board with their first points, they edged out Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers by the odd goal in seven courtesy of Lucy Loomes (2), Caitlin Jackson and Rebecca Stephenson.
In Division One North, Wootton Blue Cross Lionesses took advantage of the leaders being involved in FA Cup action by going top of the table after beating King’s Lynn Town 5-0, Bethany-Ann Spavins hitting a hat-trick with others from Jodi McClelland and Bouthayna Fakraoui. Real Bedford Res won for the first time, 7-1 against Stevenage Women Development with Zara Carroll (2), Jasmine Ajayi, Michelle Byrne, Lily Gladstone, Sophie Mulvihill and Marila Vintoniak all on the scoresheet.
One match was played in Division One South, Colney Heath opening up a lead of three points after late goals from Holly Rossington and Bora Cela gave them a 2-1 victory over Southend Utd.
London & South East League
Dorking Wanderers moved up into fourth place after a 2-0 victory away to Ashford Utd. Barking also joined the teams on six points, Laura Bunton’s hat-trick giving them a 3-1 success against Millwall Lionesses. Sport London e Benfica recorded their first victory when scoring eight times without reply away to Haywards Heath Town, Kimberly Castro was on target four times along with Evellyn Torres Diaz, Georgia Frost, Renata Ferreira and Kendal Drake.
Only one game was played in Division One North but it resulted in a change of leadership, Dulwich Hamlet Res taking over at the top after a Natalia Davila goal earned them a 1-0 win against Actonians Ladies Res.
In Division One South, Hastings Utd and Welling Utd remain level on points following their meeting, which finished in a 1-1 draw. Amelia Bate was on target for Hastings, with Welling netting through Kimberley Dixson.
North East League
Ponteland Utd took the honours on the opening day when they defeated Harrogate Town 5-1, courtesy of doubles from Siobhan Jones and Katie Monaghan along with Sophie Hollis. Annece Legg (2), Sophie Greener and Eve Gatens were all on target for South Shields in their 4-1 victory over Spennymoor Town whilst Alnwick Town beat York RI 3-1 with a Chloe Young double and Jessica Morrison goal. Bradford City got off to a winning start, 3-2 against Wallsend Boys Club with strikes from Mia Jacobs, Hannah Markey and Annabel Rowe. Hannah Ward was on target for Chester-le-Street Town as they shared a 1-1 draw with Sunderland West End, who scored through Melissa Simpson.
In the Southern Division, Ossett Utd made a fast start when they won 8-2 away to York City Development, Debbie Hastings hitting a hat-trick and Elizabeth Ashcroft contributing a brace, with Amelia Hunt, Rowan Treagus and Chelsea Schofield also getting on the scoresheet.
North West League
League leaders Wythenshawe Women did not have a game on Sunday but they stay on top of the table on goal difference from Curzon Ashton, who would have taken over with a win but instead they drew 2-2 with West Didsbury & Chorlton, whose scorers were Rachel Mason and Helana Irving. Darwen FC Women are a single point off the pace after they defeated Fleetwood Town Wrens 2-0. Mancunian Unity replaced Bury FC Women in fourth by winning their meeting 5-1, whilst Crewe Alexandra beat Tranmere Rovers 4-1 thanks to Emilia Edwards (2), Katie Gibbons and Lacey Martin, and Salford City Lionesses ran out 4-0 winners over FC United of Manchester.
South West League
Marine Academy Plymouth have made a strong start to the new season, with a 7-0 victory against Pucklechurch Sports. Carmen Morison led the scoring for last season’s runners-up with a hat-trick, Sam Drewery weighed in with a double and there was one apiece from Abbie Woodward and Libby Williams. Forest Green Rovers also swept to a confident win, 5-1 away to newly promoted Ilminster Town. Rhian Robbins was on target twice along with Victoria Taylor, Georgia Vandries and Hattie Jones with Lannece Hole replying. Holly Meakins netted twice and Chloe Shipway the other as Bishop’s Lydeard defeated Frampton Rangers 3-0 and Poole Town’s first match back in the Premier Division ended in a 2-0 success at AFC St Austell, Emma King and Lauren Kelly were their scorers.
St Vallier ended last season with a fine run of results and they opened up their Division One North campaign by beating Purton FC Women 3-1. Madeline Wood netted two of the goals and Sophie Morgan was also on target, whilst the visitors’ consolation came from Chloe Neate. Stockwood Wanderers and Downend Flyers meanwhile battled out a 2-2 draw, Toni Blenkinsopp scoring both for Stockwood whilst Downend’s replies came from Annabel Bean and an own goal.
Southern Region League
Ascot Utd missed out on the title by the narrowest of margins last season and they served notice on Sunday that they are aiming to go one better this time around when they scored eleven times against Woodley Utd. Olivia Glover led the scoring with a hat-trick and there were doubles from Georgia Luckhurst-McCord, Leah Littlechild and Leah Robertson, while Beth Lloyd and Madeleine Robertson also got on target. AFC Portchester were the day’s other winners, 3-0 at Wycombe Wanderers thanks to Millie Bradbury (2) and Lena Stroem. Dorothy Usher and Deanna Taylor scored for Badshot Lea as they shared a 2-2 draw with Selsey Women, who ended a year long wait to halt their losing run with goals from Kate Delillis and Isabelle-Mai Childs. Sholing meanwhile drew 1-1 with Oxford City, with strikes from Catherine Browning and Ellie Walecki respectively.
Charlotte Bigmore netted a brace, with Mia Crawshaw, Beth Hawtin and Laura King also on the scoresheet as Abingdon Utd Development opened up with a 5-0 victory over Chesham Utd Development in Division One North. In the other game, Beaconsfield Town defeated Wycombe Wanderers U23 2-0 with goals from Freya Harris and Katie Riddington.
One match was played in Division One South and it did not produce a goal, Wimborne Town and Woking opening up their respective campaigns with a 0-0 draw.
West Midlands League
Coundon Court recorded the biggest win as the Premier Division season began on Sunday, 9-2 against Solihull Sporting. Jessica Lundie spearheaded the win with a five-goal haul and the others came from Olivia Brown, Sophie Shale, Samantha Smyth and Georgia Furlong. Rebecca-Lee Bown (2), Jenna Boddison, Minnie Cottrell and an own goal took Shifnal Town to a 5-1 victory over Kidderminster Harriers and Lye Town also won 5-1 at Coventry Sphinx, Natasha Baptiste on target twice along with Chloe Handy, Britanee Lote and Macy Fox. Kim Cartlidge netted a brace, with Katie Maya and Emma Henderson adding the others, as Leek Town ran out 4-1 winners over Knowle. Millie Drinkhall hit a hat-trick and Farrah Hoyle joined her on the scoresheet as Burton Albion edged out Shrewsbury Town in a seven-goal thriller and there was one more at Alvechurch where the home side shared a 4-4 draw with Port Vale. Anna Bebb, Imogen Butler, Alisha Sheridan and Lara Stevens all scored for Alvechurch, whilst Vale netted through Olivia Mountford (2), Macy Isherwood and Danielle Ebsworth.
