Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.24 2022-23

Division One South East
AFC Wimbledon have taken over as leaders for the
first time this season after they won 3-2 away to
Cambridge Utd. Kelly Highman, Becki Bath and
Ellie Dorey all scored a goal apiece for the Dons,
whilst Sarah Wiltshire netted a brace in reply.
The spoils were shared as Ashford Town
(Middlesex) battled out a goalless draw with
Norwich City. The result means that Norwich
remain in fourth place, one point above Ashford.
Division One South West
Exeter City stepped up the pace at the top as they
defeated Portishead Town 6-0. The visitors went
into the match in good form but, in front of a crowd Aimee Durn of Ashford Town (Middlesex) under
of 2,936 at St James Park, Exeter gave a performance pressure from Freya Symonds of Norwich City
which fitted the occasion and a Sarah Stacey hat- (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
trick, along with Emily Toogood, Mollie Taylor and
Jessica Sandland, earned them a result which sees them extend their lead to six points.
Second placed Cardiff City Ladies still have two games in hand but lost a little
ground as they were held to a goalless draw by Southampton Women.
Moneyfields have entered the top three following their 3-2 win away to Keynsham
Town but they were made to work hard for the points by the home side. Gemma Simmonds
netted a first half brace for the Moneys but after the break, two well taken goals by Vicky
Vipond brought Keynsham back on level terms. Kau'inohea Taylor then settled an
entertaining match with the winning goal, ten minutes from time.
Swindon Town are looking certain for a top half place after they beat Selsey
Women 2-1. Annabelle Colston gave Swindon the lead early in the second half and after
Emma Blakely had brought the sides level, Emison Evans scored a late winner for the
Wiltshire side.
Maidenhead Utd eased their relegation fears by running out 4-0 winners over AFC
St Austell, who are running out of time. Imogen Fisher and Megan Halfacree put the
Berkshire side two goals ahead at half time, before Lydia Vettese and Natalie Cowell joined
them on the scoresheet after the break.
Midweek round-up...
Northern Premier Division leaders Nottingham Forest were held to a 2-2 draw by
Loughborough Lightning, who picked up only their third point of the season. Kayleigh
Hines scored both goals for Loughborough to lead by two at the break, before Forest hit back
after the break through Arryana Daniels and Laura-Jayne O'Neill. Wolverhampton
Wanderers narrowed the gap on them to three points as a Destiney Toussaint double and
Beth Roberts gave them a 3-1 victory away to West Bromwich Albion, whose reply came
from Maria Timms. Burnley FC Women kept up their challenge by beating Brighouse
Town 5-1. Millie Ravening (2), Evie Priestley, Leah Embley and Dominique Cooper all
scored for the Clarets, whilst Brighouse netted through Lucy Sowerby. Leonie Joyce
meanwhile gave Boldmere St Michaels a first half lead against Stoke City, who hit back
after the break to win 2-1 thanks to Naomi Bedeau and Roisin Kivel.
Oxford Utd made a swift return to the top of the Southern Premier Division after a
Carly Johns double, Taome Oliver and Natasha Stephens gave them a 4-1 victory over
Milton Keynes Dons, whose reply came from Mollie Coupar. Helen Ward was on target
four times, with Annie Rossiter and Andria Georgiou adding the others, as Watford
defeated Crawley Wasps 6-0. Keira Flannery was on target for Gillingham as they
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