FA Women’s National League
Southern Premier Division
Exeter City made a return to form on Sunday as they ran out 6-1 winners over Gwalia Utd in the only match to be played, because of FA Cup duties. Casi Gregson did get Gwalia off to a great start by giving them an eighth minute lead but Sophie Gillies got Exeter back on level terms and a quickfire double before the break by Ishbel Zuurmond put them in command. Leah Burridge put them further ahead midway through the second half and Georgia Vaccaro netted twice late on to round off a good day for her side.
Division One North
Despite not having a game, Huddersfield Town kept hold of the leadership on goal difference after second placed Wythenshawe crashed to a 3-0 defeat at home to Stockport County. Emily Bradshaw hit a first half hat-trick to seal County's best result of the season so far and move themselves up to fifth place.
In the other game, Cheadle Town Stingers were denied the chance to go level on points with the top two when they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by Blackburn Rovers, who picked up their first point of the campaign as a result. Imogen Porteous-Williams and Isobel Dean were on target for Cheadle, with Ruby Hulme replying, before a second half equaliser from Ashley Tiripke saw Rovers bring an end to their run of defeats.
Division One Midlands
With Peterborough Utd involved in FA Cup action, Boldmere St Michaels took the chance to replace them at the top of the table when they defeated Lincoln Utd 7-2. Leonie Joyce and Suraya Hutchinson each scored twice for the Mikes along with Ridhi Ruparelia, Olivia Mitcham and Annie Ackroyd.
Worcester City have moved up into the top half of the table, thanks to a 1-0 victory over third placed Barnsley Women. Kaye Haggett earned Worcester their best result of the season to date when she scored the only goal of the game in the nineteenth minute.
Sheffield FC climbed into the top four, level on points with Barnsley, following their 1-0 success away to Kidderminster Harriers. Darcy Dickens produced the winning strike for Sheffield, fifteen minutes from time.
Stourbridge and Sutton Coldfield Town remain three points apart in the table after their meeting finished in a 1-1 draw. Sophie Phillips gave Stourbridge the lead just ahead of half time and this looked to be enough to take the Glassgirls out of the bottom two until five minutes from the end, when Amber Downs earned Sutton a share of the spoils.
Division One South East
Due to a number of teams being involved in the FA Cup, the fixture programme was reduced to just two games and fifth placed Queen's Park Rangers were the highest team in the table in action. A win would have seen them go one position higher but they were left frustrated with a 2-2 draw against Milton Keynes Dons, who continue to improve. Anna Dzyadyk netted a second half double for Rangers whilst the Dons replied through Giuseppina Carnevale and Madeleine Pollard.
The other game also saw the spoils shared as Dulwich Hamlet and Luton Town finished level at 1-1. Luton, who remain one point ahead of Hamlet in the table, took the lead six minutes into the second half through Natasha Fensome and Hamlet hit back with substitute Lucy Monkman netting an equaliser.
Division One South West
Moneyfields will head the table going into the Christmas break after they won 2-0 away to Bridgwater Utd. With Swindon Town on FA Cup duty, the opportunity was there for the Moneys to claim the leadership and they duly accepted as Shannon Albuery headed them into a first half lead and Daisy Beard netted the second after the break.
Bristol Rovers continued their upsurge in form with a 1-0 victory at Ascot Utd. The only goal of the game came as early as the third minute, Chloe Bassett finding the net to earn her team a second straight win.
Abingdon Utd have finished the year in tremendous form and a fourth straight victory, 4-2 against Bournemouth Sports, sees them move up into fourth place. Lauren May, Molly Lygo-Jackson and Mimi Hodges put Abingdon three up during the first half, with Elle Elkins pulling one back just before half time. Holly Sellwood put the deal on the win with the final goal for Abingdon after the break, before Sports netted a late consolation through Kaitlyn Elliott.
Marine Academy Plymouth have moved themselves towards a mid-table position, thanks to a 3-0 win against Keynsham Town. After a goalless first half, Lucy Solloway put Marine in front two minutes after the restart and they went on to wrap up the win with further strikes from Sam Drewery and Sophie Pearse.
Portishead Town gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm and are off the bottom of the table following their 4-2 victory against Worthing. Lauren Amerena did give Worthing a first half lead but a double from captain Shannon Holloway, as well as further goals from Alanna Torrington and Amy Clark, gave Portishead three valuable points before Amerena netted her second in reply late on.
Reserve Section round-up...
Stoke City closed the gap on Northern Division leaders Middlesbrough to three points when a Layla Kennerley double gave them a 2-0 victory away to Derby County. Beth Cannon (2), Elizabeth Harris and Evie Franks accounted for the goals as Huddersfield Town edged out AFC Fylde by the odd goal in seven and Notts County were 3-2 victors away to Doncaster Rovers Belles, courtesy of a Grace Jones brace and Aaliyah Upton.
In the South East Division, Billericay Town further increased their lead at the top to nine points with a sixth straight victory, 3-0 away to Queen's Park Rangers.
