Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.32 2021-22

Wimbledon levelled through Kelly Highman’s superb placed header at a free kick floated
in from the left by Ashelee Hincks on 26 minutes.
The game’s third and decisive goal came thirteen minutes before the interval. Forest won
a free kick in a dangerous position. Wimbledon keeper Baker spent some time organising her
wall, but seemed to have left too much of the left hand side of her goal unguarded and so it
proved. Rebecca Anderson scored direct with a fine strike, Baker’s attempt to get across her goal
seeing her fall quite short of making contact.
Baker was beaten by a left footed strike from outside the area by Greengrass a few
minutes later, but the ball hit the upper part of the post and bounced across the goalmouth to
safety.
Wimbledon pressed strongly for the equaliser in the second half, but Forest held out.
Anderson was just over with a free kick from 23 yards midway through the half as Forest went
close to making it 3-1. Batty then had a busy spell as she turned aside a free kick by Hincks and
then got a touch to a strike by Hincks at the expense of a corner from which Siber fired into the
side netting.
Wimbledon’s Katie Stanley suffered a serious knee injury in the closing minutes.
There was to be no upset as Northern Premier Division Forest prevailed. Forest have had
a solid season in the FAWNL and, like a few others in the third tier, have their sights aimed at
the FA Women’s Championship and to a certain extent history is on their side as three of the
Plate’s five previous winners (Coventry United, Lewes and West Ham United) are currently in
the top two tiers of women’s football.
AFC Wimbledon: Faye Baker, Rosie Russell, Steph Mann, Kelly Highman, Rebecca Sargent,
Ashlee Hincks, Rebecca Carter, Megan Stow, Katie Stanley, Emily Donovan, Hannah
Billingham. Subs: Lauren Allen, Angel Fowler, Chloe Sampson, Amy Taylor, Gloria Siber.
Nottingham Forest: Emily Batty, Lyndsey Harkin, Georgia Hewitt, Rachel Brown, Olivia
Cook, Amy West, Niamh Reynolds, Gianna Mitchell, Rebecca Anderson, Hayley James,
Charlotte Greengrass. Subs: Charlotte Steggles, Grace Walters, Charley Docherty, Aja
Aguirre, Naomi Powell.
(Reports by Julian Barker)
Northern Premier Division
For the second time this season, Brighouse Town held newly crowned Champions
Wolverhampton Wanderers to a draw, this time sharing a 1-1 scoreline. Leah Embley
scored for Brighouse to earn them another point, whilst Maz Gauntlett was on target for Wolves.
Loughborough Lightning's climb to safety is now a successful one as they defeated
Fylde Women 4-1. Chloe Young, Rosetta Taylor, Laura Steele and Anna Renken all netted a
goal apiece for Loughborough, whilst the Coasters' consolation came from Emily Hollinshead.
Defeat for Fylde means that Derby County are now confirmed as runners-up.
Burnley FC Women have moved into their highest position of the season, fourth place,
on goal difference following a stunning 8-0 win away to West Bromwich Albion. Millie
Ravening led the scoring with a hat-trick and the Clarets' other goals came from Evie Priestley,
Sarah Greenhalgh, Olivia Wilson, Nicola Worthington and Elizabeth Hamer.
Stoke City also eased any fears of ending up in the bottom three, thanks to a 3-0 victory
over Hull City. Roisin Kivel, Kelsey Richardson and Elizabeth Steele all got on the scoresheet
for Stoke, to earn them the result they required for safety.
In contrast, Sheffield FC and Middlesbrough are certain to finish in the bottom three
places and their meeting culminated in a 1-1 draw. After a goalless first half, Brooke Marsden put
Sheffield ahead with fourteen minutes remaining and Fran Ward grabbed an injury time
equaliser for 'Boro.
Southern Premier Division
Oxford Utd have taken the advantage in the chase for the runners-up spot after they defeated
rivals Ipswich Town 1-0. Merrick Will scored the only goal of the game, four minutes from
time, to leave the U's two points behind the Tractor Girls but with a game in hand.
Issue no. 32 - 28 April 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk