Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.8 2021-22

FA Women’s National League

Northern Premier Division
Stoke City picked up an important 2-1 victory away to
Middlesbrough on Sunday, a result which takes them
out of the bottom three places. Rebecca Knight and
Roisin Kivel scored the goals for Stoke, whilst 'Boro grabbed a consolation through Elysia
Boddy.
The other match played in the division finished goalless, between Hull City and
West Bromwich Albion. Hull therefore double their points tally for the season and edge
closer to the teams above them, whilst Albion consolidate themselves in a mid-table position.
Southern Premier Division
One match was played in the division over the weekend, Cardiff City Ladies taking
themselves towards the top half of the table with a 2-1 success away to Chichester & Selsey.
Kaitlyn Morgan gave Cardiff a sixth minute lead and after Gemma Simmonds looked to have
earned the Sussex side a point when she equalised late on, Ellie Sargent settled matters in
Cardiff's favour with the winning goal, three minutes from time.
Division One North
Third placed Newcastle Utd narrowed the gap on the teams above them when they won 4-2
away to Norton & Stockton Ancients in the only match played. In a frantic start to the
game, Norton twice took the lead in the opening ten minutes with goals from Bianca Owens and
Sophie Tierney. Beth Guy had levelled for Newcastle inbetween and Katie Barker got them back
on terms going into half time. After the break, Rachel Lee put United ahead for the first time
from the penalty spot and Georgia Gibson sealed the points with the fourth goal. Newcastle now
trail leaders Leeds Utd by two points and have two games in hand on them.
Division One Midlands
A 2-0 victory away to Wem Town has taken Doncaster Rovers Belles to within two points
of league leaders Lincoln City. Nadia Khan and Charlotte Dinsdale scored the goals to extend
the Belles' unbeaten league run to five matches.
Sporting Khalsa meanwhile increased the gap between themselves and the bottom
two places by beating Bedworth Utd 2-1. Bedworth had gone into the game on the back of
their first win of the season seven days earlier but a second half double from Gurjit Dulay
earned Khalsa three important points, whilst Bedworth's consolation came via an own goal.
Division One South East
Billericay Town took the opportunity to go level on points with leaders Hashtag Utd when
they defeated Cambridge Utd 3-0. Karissa Rodney scored two of the goals and Zoe Rushen
added the other for Billericay, who stay in second place on goal difference.
London Seaward and Enfield Town had drawn five of their matches between
them so far going into their meeting, so maybe it was not too big a surprise as they shared the
points. The goalless draw means that Seaward remain sixth in the table, with Enfield three
places below them.
It was a good day for Harlow Town as they recorded their first ever National League
victory, edging out Norwich City by the odd goal in seven. This did not tell the whole story
though as Norwich had raced into a three-goal lead during the first half thanks to Natasha
Snelling, Kathryn Stanley and Megan Todd. Harlow pulled a goal back just before the hour
through Beth Chambers and a long range strike from Davina Smith further reduced the arrears.
Billie Brooks headed in the equaliser from a corner and with two minutes remaining, Brooks
scored a second to complete a remarkable comeback from the Hawks.
Issue no. 8 - 21 October 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk