Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.26 2021-22

FA Women’s National League

Northern Premier Division
After having lost their unbeaten record the previous
Sunday, leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers
returned to form with a 3-0 win away to
Loughborough Lightning which keeps them three
points clear at the top. Anna Morphet gave Wolves a first
half lead from the penalty spot and they went on to add
further goals either side of half time from Amber
Hughes and Tammi George.
Derby Connty also bounced back from a defeat
to record a 3-0 victory, the second placed Ewe Rams
winning against Huddersfield Town. Sophie
Domingo opened the scoring two minutes before half
time and a second half brace from Ellie Gilliatt sealed a
fine result for Derby.
Fylde Women kept themselves in the running
by winning 1-0 at Brighouse Town. Faye McCoy
scored the only goal of the game for the Coasters who Gillingham’s Breion Green is closed down by.
Keynsham Town defender Nadine Grogan
remain five points off the pace.
Nottingham Forest are a further point adrift in fourth following their 2-0 victory over
Stoke City. Both goals came inside the opening quarter of the game, Rosie Axten giving Forest
the lead an Gianna Mitchell adding the second.
West Bromwich Albion made it two successive victories when they defeated Hull City
4-2. Shannon Stamps was on target twice for mid-Albion along with Hayley Crackle and Leigh
Dugmore, whilst Hull's replies came from Rachael Ackroyd and Liberty Bott.
The Middlesbrough revival continues! A 2-1 win against Sheffield FC has now taken
them out of the bottom three places at the expense of Loughborough Lightning. Armani Maxwell
and Eve Marshall scored the goals for rejuvenated 'Boro, with Brooke Marsden replying.
Southern Premier Division
The title race took a huge twist on Sunday and it could hardly have been a better day for leaders
Ipswich Town. Ahead of this week's Vitality Women's FA Cup quarter final, the Tractor Girls
increased their lead to four points with a 3-0 victory away to Cardiff City Ladies thanks to a
brace from Anna Grey, plus a Zoe Barratt goal.
Second placed Oxford Utd meanwhile received a huge blow to their title challenge when
they went down to a surprise 1-0 defeat at Milton Keynes Dons, who continued their climb
towards safety, The Dons have done well against the leading sides in previous meetings this
season and a goal from Sofia Stovold gave them their best result of the season so far.
Southampton FC Women also lost ground as they were held to a 1-1 draw by
Bridgwater Utd. Ella Pusey looked to have given the Saints another victory when she gave them
the lead just before the hour mark but with minutes remaining, Chloe Gilroy grabbed an equaliser
for Bridgwater.
Gillingham produced a strong performance as they scored eight times without reply
against Keynsham Town. Melanie Espinosa gave a dominant display in the centre of midfield
and topped this off with a hat-trick, with further goals being added by Amy Russ, Kara Fordjour,
Megan Maslak, Phoebe Leitch and Breon Grant.
Crawley Wasps are back in the top six following their 7-1 victory away to Hounslow
Women. The home side did register their first league goal of the season through Shazelle
Pascall-Louis but this was a consolation as Iesha Swaby netted four times for Crawley along with
a Natasha Stephens brace and Florence Jackson.
Issue no. 26 - 17 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk