Regional Leagues round-up…
East Midlands League
Sheffield FC made a swift return to the top of the Premier Division as goals from Halima Essa, Tilly Hallas-Potts, Jacey Haynes, Stacey Buxton and Lucy Cook took them to a 5-0 victory away to Basford Utd. Stamford AFC Women are one point behind in second, they won 3-0 at Anstey Nomads thanks to an Emma Pollard double and Laura Dodwell. Sidni Simmons netted the only goal of the game for Rotherham Utd who beat SJR Worksop 1-0 and this has taken them up into third place.
Gainsborough Trinity are only a single point away from lifting the Division One North title following their 3-0 success away to Sherwood FC Women, in which Grace Jones netted twice and Katy Thornley the other. Grimsby Town Academy stay in second but their hopes of winning the league are over after they were beaten 2-1 by Chesterfield FC Women. Steph O’Brien and Madeline Watkinson scored the goals which mean that Dronfield Town are the only remaining team which can still catch Trinity’s points total. Buxton FC Women and Arnold Eagles meanwhile finished level at 1-1, Rebecca Hill did give Buxton the lead with ten minutes remaining but their hopes of a second win of the season were dashed when Kitty Ward scored a late equaliser.
In Division One Central, Asfordby Amateurs stepped up their title challenge when an early goal from Sarah Brown earned them a 1-0 win over River City, which means they trail leaders Loughborough Foxes Vixens by five points but have two games in hand. Asfordby were the day’s only winners, Sommer Smith was on target for Long Eaton Utd in their 1-1 draw with West Bridgford Colts, who netted through Hannah Luk, whilst Sleaford Town and Beaumont Park also finished level at 1-1, Lauren Alderson scoring for Sleaford.
Wellingborough Town are on the brink of the Division Three South title, only requiring two more points after Mikaela Welford, Lauren Adams, Abbie Brewin and Brodie Betts all scored in their 4-1 victory at Leicester City Ladies. Second placed New Bradwell St Peter lost ground as they were beaten 3-0 by Newport Pagnell Town, Jasmine Spence netting twice and Elizabeth Sanders the other. Amelia Turnham and Rubi Carter accounted for the goals as Northampton Town Development defeated Cardea Ladies to climb up to third, ahead of Thrapston Town who, despite a goal from Hannah Warren, drew 1-1 with Dunton & Broughton Utd who netted through Kayleigh Needham.
Eastern Region League
Wroxham made up ground on the top three when they won 2-1 away to Haringey Borough, Luci Middleton scoring both of their goals. Fatima Husein was another player to net a brace, to give Watford Development an important 2-1 success against Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers, meanwhile the bottom two teams met each other and honours were even, Annie Posnett scoring twice for Needham Market as they shared four goals with Cambridge City, who netted through Faith Harrison and Tyeonae Smith.
Division One North leaders Harpenden Town did not have a game and their advantage has been cut to five points by AFC Dunstable, who beat Whittlesey Athletic 2-0 with goals from Cerys Rees and Poppy Surridge. Katie Walker’s brace gave Newmarket Town a 2-0 victory at Real Bedford Res and Histon completed a good day for the chasing teams as they also won 2-0 against Thetford Town, thanks to Jessica McCrae and Evie Nicholls. Chloe Gregory netetd the only goal of the game for Stevenage Women Development in their success against Biggleswade Utd and Mulbarton Wanderers were 2-1 victors over King’s Lynn Town with strikes from Ellie Hunter and Rebekah Lake.
Likewise in Division One South, Southend Utd did not play and their lead was reduced to two points by Colney Heath who edged out Toby Ladies by the odd goal in seven, with Samaira Khan, Eustacia Randles, Cally Salter and Ellen Salter on target. Hutton kept themselves firmly in the running in third, first half goals from Daisy Canny and Lucy Critchell giving them a 2-1 win over Lawford and Chelmsford City beat Wormley Rovers 3-0 thanks to Rebecca Hollocks, Zoe Rushen and Evie Payne. Hertford Town ran out 5-0 winners over Frontiers with Cassandra Chase, Charlie Mills, Tazmin Bishop, Nicole Emmings and Amy Nash all on the scoresheet whilst Jade Horne (2), Hermione Lee and Jessica Clark accounted for the goals as Stanway Pegasus Women won 4-0 against Romford Town Flyers.
The top two in the Premier Division met each other in the semi finals of the League Cup and the match was as closely fought as expected, going to extra time before Luton Town emerged as 3-1 winners over Royston Town. Fiona Buttigieg, Leyah Maddix and Tsaianne Leander all scored a goal apiece to take Luton into the Final, whilst Royston’s consolation came from Charlotte South.
London & South East League
Saltdean Utd stepped up their title challenge in the Premier Division when they defeated Sutton Utd 5-1, Naomi Robinson was on target twice along with Georgia Bridges, Sienna Howell and Filippa Millqvist. Ebbsfleet Utd meanwhile won 1-0 against Sport London e Benfica, Charley Clifford scoring the only goal in the second half.
Brentford have gone back to the top of Division One North after Chloe Logie scored six times and Ashley Cheatley added a further four, with Carolin Engelhard, Chloe Webb and Nikki Woods adding the others in their victory against AFC Whyteleafe. Leatherhead also hit double figures in their trip to Richmond Park, Laila Ayimba-Golding, Megan Button and Chloe Gibney all bagged hat-tricks and they were joined on the scoresheet Kacie-May Harlow (2), Cassie Brown and Jessica Thomas. Rebekah Dunt and Rosanne Fine were on target for Ashmount Leigh in their 2-2 draw with Richmond & Kew, who netted through a brace from Charlotte Close.
Division One South leaders Saltdean Utd Development crashed to a 6-0 defeat at home to Welling Utd, who are only six points off the pace following doubles from Kim Dixson and Molly Hawkins, with Amy Panayi and Cerys Baldwin also getting on the scoresheet. Aylesford boosted their own hopes as an Alex Witham brace gave them a 2-1 win at Steyning Town Community, a result which takes them into second, meanwhile Ysobele Demomme was on target for Herne Bay in their 1-1 draw with Three Bridges, who netted through Cerys Williams.
Dartford and Fulham will meet in this season’s League Cup Final after getting their respective semi finals on Sunday, the Darts triumphing 3-1 against league leaders Dorking Wanderers with strikes from Xayla-Rae Alberts, Elixabeth Adams and Brionne Fowle, with Sandra Martins replying. Ellie Olds (2), Leeta Rutherford, Kayleigh Stead and Ella Newman accounted for the goals as Fulham ran out 5-0 winners away to Millwall Lionesses.
The League Trophy has reached the semi final stage and Bognor Regis Town enhanced their hopes of a trophy double when Millie Carter and Alice Gue gave them a 2-1 win away to Bromley. Clapton Community booked their place in the last four by beating Hackney 2-0 with goals from Tammy Hymas and Marta Perez, whilst Mikaela Beynon (2), Ana De Pellegrin, Izar Olano-Barnes and Katie Smale all found the net as Dulwich Hamlet Res ran out 5-0 winners over Bexhill Utd. Soccer Elite Football Academy complete the semi final line up, they won 3-1 at Montpelier Villa thanks to Hermione Dorsett, Daisy Regnier and Mary-Jane Cameron-Sumpton.
North East League
Bradford City maintained their pursuit of the top two in the Premier Division with a 3-0 victory over Spennymoor Town, courtesy of a goal apiece from Maria McKenna, Aaliyah Nolan and Monika Stube. Taylor Straughan, Chloe Young and Catherine Johnston all scored for Alnwick Town in their 3-1 success against South Shields and Sunderland West End won 2-1 at Wallsend Boys Club with Isla Maggs and Jael Anderson on target.
In the Northern Division, Thornaby Women were unable to take an opportunity to regain the leadership from an inactive Norton & Stockton Ancients Res when they were beaten 2-1 by third placed i2i International Soccer Academy, Mia Corder and Harper Page netting the decisive goals. Tamzin Burnham, Steph Box, Sophie Davies and Gemma Marshall were all on target for Bishop Auckland in their 4-1 defeat of Chester-le-Street Utd, who narrowly hold on to fourth place ahead of Washington FC Women who beat Wallsend BC Res 3-1 thanks to Mary Barnard, Jessica Cook and Courtney Clark. Katie Rowland and Tiana Hill gave Redcar Town a two-goal lead against Consett Ladies and although the visitors hit back for a point with a Hannah Smith double, the point was enough to take Redcar off the bottom at the expense of CLS Amazons, who were edged out 3-2 by Gateshead FC Ladies whose markswomen were Jodie Thorpe (2) and Faye Killeen.
Things remain tight at the top of the Southern Division but it was a good day for Ossett Utd, who have a two point lead after a Debbie Hastings hat-trick fired them to a 3-1 victory over York City Development. Previous leaders Handsworth drew 1-1 with Altofts Ladies, who scored through Nadine Bates after Danielle Pinder had given Handsworth a first half lead, meanwhile Leeds Modernians also shared the points, coming from two behind at Kiveton Park with Flora Snelson and Emily Whittle earning them a valuable point after the home side had led through Tiffanny Clarke and Sara Tyler. Brunsmeer Athletic are only three further points adrift, Nat Shaw and Molly Waite each bagging five goal hauls along with a Cheryl Mawhood hat-trick against Sheffield Utd Community Foundation, with Lucy Damms, Millie Kenyon, Bradie Wild and Libby Hallam also getting on the scoresheet. Mia Moorhouse was on target four times, with Dani Anthony adding the other, as Lower Hopton ran out 5-0 winners over Sheffield Wednesday.
North West League
Sunday was a great day for Wythenshawe Women as they won 1-0 away to Crewe Alexandra to increase their lead at the top to five points due to second placed Darwen FC Women being on the receiving end of a 4-1 scoreline at Tranmere Rovers. Curzon Ashton also lost ground as despite a goal from Jess Holbrook, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fleetwood Town Wrens. Mancunian Unity meanwhile made up ground on the top three by running out 6-1 winners over Salford City Lionesses.
The top of the table clash in Division One North ended with honours even and the 1-1 draw means that Penrith AFC Women brought leaders Bolton Wanderers’ fifteen match winning run to an end. Jessica Lightfoot had put Bolton ahead but Charlotte Smith hit back to earn Penrith an important point. Melissa Adamson hit a hat-trick, with Grace Hindley, Flossie Jones and Lily Edmondson adding the others, as Accrington Stanley defeated Radcliffe FC Women 6-1 to climb up to third, ahead of Workington Town who drew 3-3 with Fleetwood Town Wrens Res. Hayley Bracken netted twice and Chloe Henderson the other for Workington, while Emerald Parker, Brooke Mulholland and Isabella Hendry were on target for Fleetwood. Preston North End ran out 5-1 winners over Atherton Laburnum Rovers with strikes from Jennifer Pike, Chloe Cook, Grace Conshaw, Alicia Scott and Madison Hadley whilst Beth MacDonald and Ella Grorey gave Haslingden a 2-1 victory over Blackpool. Morecambe netted five times without reply past Hindley Juniors Women, Charlotte Gray, Yasmine Carswell, Chloe Howarth and Ruby Hindle all finding the net along with an own goal.
Poulton Vics preserved their eight point lead in Division One South by winning 2-1 away to Mossley Hill, whilst second placed FC St Helens beat Macclesfield FC Women 5-0 courtesy of Rachel Wood (2), Jessica Muirhead, Ellie Lloyd and Rebecca Barker. Runcorn Linnets follow on after Jessica Bazley, Mollie Bennett and Emily Hardman gave them a 3-1 victory over Chester FC Women. Wigan Athletic battled out a 3-3 draw with MSB Woolton, who netted through an Isabel Davies brace and Alisha Graves, whilst Kate Anderson, Gillian Herring and an own goal earned Ellesmere Port Town an important 3-1 success over Wirral Phoenix.
South West League
League leaders Marine Academy Plymouth did not play on Sunday and saw all of the three chasing teams record victories. Their advantage has been trimmed to ten points by second placed Forest Green Rovers, who netted seven times without reply away to AFC St Austell thanks to an Erin Williams hat-trick, Tyra Wilson (2), Rhian Robbins and Victoria Taylor. Lexie Watts and Anthea Kaptein were on target as Torquay Utd kept their hopes alive with a narrow 2-1 success away to Frampton Rangers, who replied through Mollie Bourne. Kaitlyn Elliott, Molly Gladwell, Imogen Miller and Chloe Snook were all on the scoresheet as Sherborne Town maintained their challenge by beating Poole Town 4-2. Ellie Orritt (2) and Chloe Davenport gave Ilminster Town a 3-0 victory against AEK Boco whilst Pucklechurch Sports drew for the seventh time, 3-3 with Bishop’s Lydeard. Lilly Farr, Amy Jefferies and Sophie Sweet all scored for Pucklechurch, whilst Lydeard netted through Jasmin Crook, Holly Meakins and Holly Miller.
Gloucester City’s seemingly unstoppable march towards the Division One North title gathered further pace when they won 6-0 away to Downend Flyers. Margaret Neall and Puneet Randhawa each bagged braces along with Lucabella Davis and Sophia Gomez. Bitton remain thirteen points behind in second place, with Ruby Nolan, Layla Soppelsa and Syke Coole all on the scoresheet in their 3-1 victory against St Vallier, who replied through Charlotte Woodman, this keeps them just ahead of Cirencester Town who were 4-1 victors over Stockwood Wanderers. Phoebe McGouran hit a hat-trick for Ciren and Amelia Dudding added the other, whilst Maddison Stadden grabbed a consolation for the visitors. Royal Wootton Bassett Town’s challenge for the runners-up spot suffered a setback when they were beaten 3-1 by SGS Olveston Utd, who gave their survival hopes a huge shot in the arm with goals from Lana Revill, Jes Fleming and Rosanna Blacker. A second half equaliser from Andrea Chludilova earned Corsham Town a 1-1 draw against Bath City Women, who had taken a first half lead through Maddy Brown, whilst a double from Alisha Stuart gave Paulton Rovers a 2-1 win against Purton FC Women, whose reply came from Emma Skinner.
Division One South leaders Plympton Ladies’ eleven match winning run came to an end with something of a surprise 2-1 defeat at Feniton. Emily Angus and Louise Ilsley scored the goals to give Feniton only their third win of the season, with Plympton’s consolation coming from Sam Metters. The lead has now been cut to five points by Yeovil Town, 2-0 winners at Honiton Town, and Saltash Utd who beat Bideford 3-1 thanks to Morgan Friend, Katie Hengle and Olivia Lennox, Katie Lintin replying. Tori Marks hit a hat-trick and Olivia Nelson the other for Sticker Women as they won a thrilling match 4-3 against Weston-super-Mare, who scored through Ellie Burrows, Laura McGlone and Katie Sharkey.
Southern Region League
Wycombe Wanderers narrowed the gap on leaders Ascot Utd to five points with a 5-2 success away to AFC Portchester. Kayla Potter and Jessica Watkins each netted twice along with Bobby Lynch as Wycombe avenged a defeat to the same opponents in the cup seven days earlier. Reading FC Community Trust meanwhile won for only the second time this season, 3-0 against Selsey Women thanks to Mia Bradley, Lucy Bolitho and an own goal.
Penn & Tylers Green have caught up ground on the top three in Division One North with a 2-1 win against Wycombe Wanderers U23, Annalise Scott-Green and Ellie Lovelock netting second half goals after their side had trailed at the break. Jessical Exell (2) and April England were on target for Milton Utd in their 3-0 victory at Slough Town and Kiera Isaac netted the only goal of the game for Kidlington Youth against Chesham Utd Development.
In Division One South, Fleet Town made it eight wins out of eight when edging out Bournemouth Sports Res 3-2, whilst Woking dealt a blow to second placed Havant & Waterlooville’s chances by also winning 3-2 with a Beth Anders hat-trick.
AFC Stoneham went through to the quarter finals of the Chairman’s Cup, a second half strike from Lucy Bicknell giving them a 1-0 win at Badshot Lea. Wimborne Town ran out 4-0 victors over Tilehurst Panthers thanks to Sheree Bell-Jack, Tiara Cheney, Georgia Reeks and Brooke Suddaby, whilst an Isobel Pouncy hat-trick took Bursledon to a 3-1 victory away to AFC Varsity. Abingdon Utd Development complete the line up in the last eight after scoring ten times without reply past QK Southampton, Mimi Hodges hitting a hat-trick with the others from Beth Hawtin (2), Libby Gilmore, Anaya Grey, Ellie Owen, Amelie Sadler and Poppy Wannell.
West Midlands League
Kidderminster Harriers have moved to within a single point of leaders Lye Town after two Millie Rogers goals gave tham a 2-0 win against Alvechurch. Third placed Shifnal Town suffered a setback when they were beaten 4-0 by Port Vale who continue to climb the table, Sian McHugha nad Olivia Mountford bagging doubles for the Valiants. Coundon Court were 5-2 winners over Burton Albion thanks to a Jessica Lundie hat-trick and Marianne Taho brace, whilst Coventry Sphinx defeated Knowle 5-1, Madison Norton and Brooke Hornsby each netting twice along with Jodi Hunter.
Division One North is now even tighter with only three points covering the top seven teams, still headed by Lichfield City who did not play. No less than five teams are two points off the pace, now headed by AFC Telford Utd after they won 4-2 at Walsall Wood, Sasha Woodhouse on target twice along with Olivia Bellamy and Megan Jones. Tamworth were 4-0 winners over Rugby Town while Leek Town Res picked up their first victory, 3-2 against Newcastle Town thanks to Zara Shepley (2) and Sydney-Marie Gillan.
Bobbi-Lea Birch scored both goals as Division One South leaders Redditch Borough won 2-0 against local rivals Redditch Utd and this keeps them one point in front of Worcester City Res who beat Bromsgrove Sporting 2-1 with strikes from Milly Ponting and Alexa Thomasson. In the other game, Halesowen Town netted ten times without reply past Leamington Lions, with doubles from Katie Adams, Paige Leonard, Lauren Thompson, Natasha Bailey and Caroline Springer.
