Page 19 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1 2022-23

through Natasha Crew and Beth Popel, whilst the other newcomers Weymouth shared a
goalless draw with Frome Town.
Saltash Utd have got off to a flying start in the Western Division with a nine-goal victory
away to Bideford. Nicola Champion led the scoring with a hat-trick, Jade Bryan and Dee
Newman each netted twice and the total was completed by Maisie Lovell and Hayley Ranachan.
Charlotte Dymond (2), Megan Williams (2) and Mikaela Winkler accounted for the goals as
Feniton defeated Budleigh Salterton 5-1 and Sticker Women made a big impact in their
first game following promotion, beating Marine Academy Plymouth 4-0 thanks to doubles
from Ellisha Davey and Chloe Harris.
Southern Region League
Chloe Ball scored twice and Tori St Clair the other as Abingdon Town opened up the season
by beating Oxford City 3-1. Bournemouth Sports also won 3-1 against Eastleigh, thanks
to a goal apiece from Lauren Brewer, Jasmine Hughes and Becky Miles. Sarah Leonard and
Hannah Bennett were the scorers as Ascot Utd notched up a 2-1 victory over last season's
runners-up Abingdon Utd and Wycombe Wanderers were 1-0 winners against
Winchester City Flyers.
Milton Utd were 4-1 victors over Long Crendon in Division One North, thanks to
goals from Charlotte Comley, April England, Natalie Evans and Holly Porter. They head the
opening day table jointly with Kidlington who also won 4-1 against Caversham Utd. May
Hamblin scored the only goal of the game for Woodley Utd in their 1-0 success against
Eversley & California.
AFC Stoneham made a good impact in their debut in Division One South, with
Madison Payne, Abbie Awdas, Charlotte Gatehouse and an own goal took them to a 4-1 victory
over Chichester City. Badshot Lea did likewise, winning 3-0 at Woking Ladies thanks to
a hat-trick from Eleanor Blake (see match report). Jade Nightingale, Emma Mutch, Laura
Quinn-Low and Vicky James steered Rushmoor Community to a 4-2 success at New Milton
Town and Selsey Women Development defeated Abbey Rangers 2-0 with goals from
Rebecca Johnson and Georgina Starkey.
West Midlands League
Solihull Sporting are the opening day leaders in the Premier Division following their 3-1 win
away to Coundon Court, in which Holly Ellison, Naomi Melbourne and Helina Phillips all
scored. Cerys Dolloway and Jennifer Higgs meanwhile netted the goals as Worcester City won
2-0 at Burton Albion. Katie Adams, Ellie Gibbs and Danielle Keegan accounted for the goals
as Crusaders beat last season's runners-up Sutton Coldfield Town 3-2, whilst Leafield
Athletic defeated Redditch Utd with Shelbie Cartwright and Donna Millward on target.
Kidderminster Harriers and Shrewsbury Town meanwhile finished level at 3-3 with Dani
Selmes (2) and Macy Fox on target for Kidderminster, whilst the Shrews responded with a
Madison Jones hat-trick.
Coventry City have made a promising start in Division One North, Evelina
Buividaviciute netting twice along with Tara Doherty and Sophie Reynolds as they beat Wyrley
Ladies 4-1. Walsall Wood also won 4-1 away to Darlaston Town thanks to Natasha
Baptiste, Freya Green, Beth Male and Rosie Hargreaves. Port Vale defeated Tamworth 3-1
and City of Stoke started off with a victory, 3-2 against Lichfield City Res with goals from
Lucy Marshall (2) and Kelly Leese. Jessica Bate netted a brace for Walsall Ladies in their 2-2
draw with AFC Telford Utd, who scored through Courtnie Cassidy and Jessica Sayers.
Knowle took the honours in Division One South, defeating Rugby Town 5-0 with
Natalie Gibson (2), Morgan Betteridge, Demi-Lee Rolph and Samantha Smith on the scoresheet.
Kirsty Farnsworth, Christabel Matewe and Amanda Whalley all scored as Coventry Sphinx
won 3-1 at Kingfisher and Sedgley & Gornal Utd beat Droitwich Spa 3-1 thanks to Nella
Severin, Megan Hawley and Shannon Hayes. Lucinda Stevenson (2), Ellie White and Stav
Williams were the markswomen for Long Itchington as they edged out Rugby Borough by
the odd goal in seven, whilst Rea Marsh scored the only goal of the game for Bewdley Town in
their win over Westfields Women.
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