Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.27 2021-22

FA Women’s National League

Northern Premier Division
Sunday could well turn out to be a hugely
significant day in the title race as
Wolverhampton Wanderers greatly
strengthened their position at the top of the table. Wolves made the journey to
Middlesbrough, who have been in excellent form recently, but they powered into a
three-goal lead inside the opening twenty minutes thanks to an early strike by Amber
Hughes and a Maz Gauntlett double. Anna Morphet rounded off the scoring for her side
when she converted a penalty shortly before half time.
Wolves have now gone six points clear after second placed Derby County went
down to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighouse Town. Leah Embley, Drew Greene and
Lucy Sowerby all scored to give Brighouse a superb result, whilst Derby's first half
consolation came from Amy Sims.
Fylde Women also received a setback as they were held to a 2-2 draw by West
Bromwich Albion, who continue to improve. Jess Holbrook gave the Coasters a first
half lead but Albion hit back strongly after the break with goals inside the opening seven
minutes from Leigh Dugmore and Shannon Stamps. Faye McCoy equalised for Fylde
shortly afterwards but an entertaining, end-to-end clash was to end level as neither side
could find a winner.
The other match played on Sunday turned out to be a happy one for Hull City as
they brought their seventeen match winless run to an end in style by beating Sheffield
FC 4-0. Helen Lynskey and Rachael Ackroyd each scored twice to secure a result which
takes Hull to within a point of their opponents.
Southern Premier Division
The top two were not in league action over the weekend, allowing Southampton FC
Women an opportunity to catch up ground when they travelled to Cardiff City
Ladies. This was an opportunity they took as Lucia Kendall gave them the lead just
before half time and she went on to complete a hat-trick during the second half, before
Ella Pusey put the seal on a 4-0 victory with the final goal late on.
Gillingham remain in fourth despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Chichester &
Selsey, for whom the point was a valuable one. The Gills did take a first half lead thanks
to Melanie Espinosa but were pegged back midway through the second half, when Chi
scored an equaliser through Sophie Phelps.
Bridgwater Utd meanwhile put a seven point gap between themselves and
Crawley Wasps after winning their meeting 2-1. Jenna Markham and Daniella Tyson
scored the goals for Bridgwater, whilst the home side's consolation came from Imogen
Lancaster.
Plymouth Argyle's climb to safety is looking more and more successful by the
week and they took another huge stride by beating Milton Keynes Dons 5-1. The
visitors had gone into the game on the back of a superb win against title chasing Oxford
Utd seven days earlier but in-form Argyle raced to victory thanks to doubles from
Natasha Knapman and Zoe Cunningham along with an own goal, whilst Nicole Pepper
was on target for the Dons.
Issue no. 27 - 24 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk