Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.30 2022-23

Araya Dennis secured three valuable points for her side. The result takes Watford to the top
of the table, although Oxford would still clinch the title by winning their last two games - the
second of which will be away to the third title challengers, Ipswich Town.
Portsmouth have had a good season but it looks as though it will end in a fourth place
finish after they drew 1-1 against Milton Keynes Dons, who remain one position below
them. The Dons took a first half lead when Mollie Coupar netted her 15th league goal of the
season but Pompey were able to salvage a point, when Alison Hall scored an injury time
equaliser.
In a vital match at the other end of the table, London Bees achieved safety with a 1-0
success away to Bridgwater Utd, who are still in the bottom two. Danielle Puddefoot
drilled in a 20-yard shot during the first half to end any lingering fears for the Bees, whilst
the Somerset side will now need to win when the teams meet again at The Hive to stand any
chance of escaping themselves.
Division One North
Newcastle Utd picked up one of the wins they needed with a 5-1 success away to Leeds
Utd. Kacie Elson and Bianca Owens each scored twice for the Magpies and Georgia Gibson
added the other, before Leeds netted a consolation through Abbie Brown. Newcastle are now
three points behind leaders Durham Cestria, with a game in hand.
Stockport County completed what has been a very good season for them on a
winning note, running out 4-1 victors away to Merseyrail Ladies and they are now back
up to third place. Charlotte Tyers had given Merseyrail the lead just before half time but after
the interval, County hit back and a twelve minute hat-trick from Maria Figueiredo turned the
match around in their favour, before Emily Bradshaw rounded off the scoring with the
fourth, eight minutes from time.
Chorley ensured they will still be in the league next season when they picked up the
point they required for safety in a 1-1 draw with Hull City. Grace Foy was on target for
Chorley, whilst Hull's goal came from a penalty by Hope Knight.
Division One Midlands
Newly crowned Champions Stourbridge went down to only their second defeat of the
season when they were beaten 2-1 by Peterborough Utd, who kept their slim hopes of the
runners-up spot alive. The Glassgirls did take a first half lead through Hannah Fishwick but
in the second half, their nineteen match unbeaten run in the league came to an end when
Tara Kirk levelled the scores and Niamh Connor scored the winner for the Posh Women with
five minutes remaining.
Doncaster Rovers Belles put themselves on the verge of taking the runners-up spot
for the second successive season when they won 3-0 away to Wem Town. Abi Coley, Holly
Housley and Shelby Morris all scored a goal apiece for the Belles.
Solihull Moors are back in the top half of the table following their 1-0 success away
to Northampton Town. Rebecca Knight scored the only goal of the game for Moors during
the first half.
The spoils were shared at Leek Town where the home side shared a 1-1 draw with
Sheffield FC. Chloe Cotterill scored an equaliser, deep into injury time, to earn Leek a point
after Moriah McIntosh had earlier given Sheffield the lead.
Division One South East
After having led the table all season, Hashtag Utd confirmed themselves as Champions on
Sunday when they won 4-1 away to Queen's Park Rangers. The damage was inflicted in
the first half as the Tags raced into a four-goal lead, Katharine Nutman and Grace Gillard
putting them two goals ahead before Hayley West netted a quickfire double, Rangers netting
a second half consolation through Kasha Petit.
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