FA Women’s National League 
FAWNL League Cup
AFC Bournemouth stepped up their challenge for a second successive appearance in the Final, moving themselves into the last sixteen when a penalty, midway through the second half, converted by Katie James gave them a 1-0 win away to AFC Wimbledon.
Oxford Utd were expected to be amongst the favourites but they have gone out of the competition, beaten on penalties by Chelsea U21 following a 1-1 draw. Carla Gardiner had given Chelsea the lead, with Jenna Legg equalising for the U's just before half time and after the second half did not produce a winner, it was the Blues who triumphed 4-3 from the spot.
No Division One side was able to claim the scalp of a Tier 3 side on the day but Chatham Town were the team to come closest, taking Exeter City all the way to penalties. An injury time spot kick by Lucy Jones earned the Chats a 3-3 draw at the end of the game, adding to earlier strikes from Madison Woodgate and Karesha Iton. Exeter netted through Beth McGowan, Ishbel Zuurmond and Ellie Sara before going on to win 5-3 in the resulting shootout.
Another four times also went to penalties, including what was arguably the tie of the round between Portsmouth and Fulham. Arabella Suttie gave Pompey a first half lead which was cancelled out just before the break by Rianna Dean, the match finishing level at 1-1 with Fulham edging through.
Hull City left it late but a penalty, deep into injury time taken by Cath Hamill, gave them a 1-1 draw against AFC Fylde who had led for most of the game through an Imogen Borrowdale goal. The Tigresses duly took their momentum into the penalty shootout and booked their place in the next round with a 4-3 win.
Cheltenham Town have done well in the Cup competitions in recent seasons and they are on another run, winning 4-2 on penalties against Bristol City U21 after battling out a 1-1 draw. Chloe Snook had given Cheltenham the lead just after the hour mark, with Faye Dixon levelling matters for City six minutes later.
A close tie was in prospect between Moneyfields and Actonians and this is how it turned out, as the match finished all square at 2-2. Pupkinya Surin and Kaylee Buckingham both netted for the Moneys, last season's runners-up in the Plate, but it was not quite enough as Actonians scored through Hana Lalani and Georgia Griffin before going on to win on penalties.
Such was the tightness of the matches, the highest winning score was actually recorded by Norwich City who defeated Peterborough Utd 4-0. The bulk of the damage was done in the period just before half time, when the Canaries scored three times through Isabelle Moore, Poppy Groves and Elliana Martin before Lara Densley put the seal on the result after the break.
Rugby Borough played host to Boldmere St Michaels and made a smooth progression with a 3-0 victory. Lily Greenslade gave Borough a first half lead and they went on to wrap up the win following the interval with further strikes from Malika Apindia Gille and Jess Camwell.
Another all-Northern Premier Division tie saw Stoke City return from Loughborough Lightning with a 4-2 win under their belts. Shannon Stamps netted a goal in each half and the others came from Megan Bradley and Roisin Kivel, whilst Olivia Ramon and Rebecca Hogg both replied for the home side.
West Bromwich Albion made a long journey to the north east but it was a successful one, winning 3-0 away to Norton & Stockton Ancients, Albion have been in impressive form in the league and they carried this on in the cup as Ella Haughey netted a goal in each half, either side of a strike from Milly Round.
Stockport County were the other winners on the day, beating Chesterfield 2-0. County took a seventh minute lead through Katie Anderson and Hannah Fishwick sewed up the win late on when she netted the second.
FAWNL League Plate
Halifax FC Women produced a strong performance to run out 6-1 winners over Division One Midlands leaders Leafield Athletic. Neve Renwick spearheaded the victory with a four-goal haul and she was joined on the scoresheet by Farah Crompton and Sienna Limbert, with Saanya Najib replying.
Derby County were handed an awkward trip to Durham Cestria but safely made it through with a 3-0 victory. Georgia Stevens gave the Ewes a first half lead and the sealed the result after the break with further goals from Mollie Green and Eleanor Ashton.
Plymouth Argyle have exited the competition after going down to a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal U21. Victoria Chitham put the Gunners ahead just before half time, before Abigail Conway added the second late on.
A tight game was in prospect at Lye Town and so it proved, with the home side winning 1-0 against York City. Natasha Baptiste settled matters when she scored the only goal of the game in first half injury time.
Gwalia Utd also progressed with a 2-1 victory away to Bristol Rovers. All of the goal action came early in the game with Esme Kilburn-Thompson and Daisy Ackerman putting Gwalia two ahead inside the opening eleven minutes, with Ellie Preece pulling a goal back shortly afterwards.
Stevenage Women meanwhile returned from Kidderminster Harriers with a 4-1 win under their belts. Jada Deane netted a goal in each half and the others came from Leonie Telford and Sarah Wiltshire, whilst the Harriers' consolation was scored by Grace Morris.
Dulwich Hamlet meanwhile booked their place in the last sixteen by beating Northampton Town 2-0. Asia Brown opened the scoring for Hamlet shortly before half time and Summer Roberts wrapped up the win with the second.
Torquay Utd were another side to record a 2-0 victory, at the expense of Luton Town. Both goals came in a three minute spell during the first half with Sarah Stacey putting the Gulls in front and Matilda Franchi adding the second two minutes later.
Lewes made light of a potentially tough trip to Maidenhead Utd by registering a 6-1 win. Olivia Hibbert-Johnson, Ella Stephens and Liv Carpenter sent the Rookettes into a three-goal lead at half time. Izzy Stockton renewed hopes for Maidenhead when she reduced the arrears on the hour and Ylenia Priest restored the advantage, before Carpenter completed her double and Breon Grant rounded off the scoring.
Dartford have had a somewhat frustrating start to life in the league but they notched up a victory in the Plate, 5-2 away to Milton Keynes Dons. The Darts raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening quarter hour thanks to Isabelle Franklin, Paris Smith and Mya Lewis-Powell and they went on to add further goals through Leila Awan and Mercedes Bromfield, with Francesca Tilbury and Amber Leighton replying.
Queen's Park Rangers have been in great form in recent weeks and they swept into the last sixteen by scoring six times without reply past Southampton U21. Jessica Leach led the scoring for Rangers by hitting a hat-trick and Jaz Younger weighed in with a brace, whilst Taylor Bell was also on target.
Manchester Utd U21 will be aiming for another good cup run this season and they kept those hopes alive by beating Notts County 3-0. Poppy Holt put United in front just before the half hour and they made the game safe with late strikes from Jessica Anderson and Martha Allington.
Manchester City U21 join their neighbours in the last sixteen following their 4-1 victory over Chorley. Aoife Colbert-Martin, Grace Foster, Freya Hirons and Amarachukwu Nwankwo were all on target for the Cityzens, with Panther Espinoza replying.
Cadi Griffiths, Paulina Sielaczek, Phoebe Badelek and Olivia Aldridge accounted for the goals as Aston Villa U21 won 4-2 away to Sheffield Utd U21, whose markswomen were Esme Parkin and Emelia King.
