Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.29 2022-23

Northern Premier Division
Sunday was a great day for Burnley FC Women in
the title race and they now have matters in their
hands going into the last couple of games in
their season. Nottingham Forest remain
on top of the table but were held to a 1-1
draw by in-form Brighouse Town, who
have secured a highly creditable fifth place
finish with that point. Lucy Sowerby was on
target for Brighouse whilst an own goal
earned Forest a share of the spoils.
Burnley meanwhile took advantage
with a 2-1 win away to West Bromwich
Albion, which leaves them two points
behind Forest but with a game in hand.
Elizabeth Hamer and Laura Elford scored
the goals for Burnley, who will be
Champions if they win their last two Keynsham Town captain Nadine Grogan tries to win the ball
matches, whilst Albion's reply came from from Shannon Holloway of Portishead Town.
Kerry Walklett.
The first of those two matches for Burnley will be against reigning Champions
Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are just one point behind them in third. Wolves were
left with a frustrating day though as they battled out a goalless draw with fourth placed
Derby County.
The other match in the division produced plenty of excitement as Stoke City and
Huddersfield Town finished level at 3-3. However this does not tell the full story as Stoke
had raced into a three-goal lead at half time thanks to Kelsey Richardson, Roisin Kivel and
Sophie Bramford, before Town staged a dramatic fightback in the second half and strikes in
the last twelve minutes from Brittany Sanderson, Laura Hulme and Cara Fields earned them
a share of the spoils.
On Thursday night, West Bromwich Albion moved out of the bottom three when they
won 2-1 away to Loughborough Lightning. An own goal gave Albion a first half lead
which was cancelled out on the stroke of half time when Georgia Stevens equalised for
Lightning. Phoebe Warner put Albion back in front shortly after the restart with a strike
from outside the area, to give her team an important victory.
Southern Premier Division
Oxford Utd continue to lead the way following a 2-1 victory away to one of their fellow title
challengers, Portsmouth. After a goalless first half, Danielle Lane put Pompey in front but
Taome Oliver equalised two minutes later and Carly Johns netted an injury time winner to
hand Oxford a crucial victory and deliver a hammer blow to Portsmouth's hopes. Oxford still
head the table by a point but have a game in hand on the two teams below them.
Watford meanwhile kept up their pursuit in second place with a 2-0 win against
London Bees. Bianca Baptiste opened the scoring just before half time and they sealed the
points late on with a goal from Poppy Wilson.
Ipswich Town meanwhile undertook a tricky trip away to Milton Keynes Dons
but came through it with a 2-0 victory, which means they also stay well in contention. Both
goals from the Tractor Girls came in the first half, courtesy of Natasha Thomas and an
Abigail Lafayette penalty.
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