Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1(1) 2021-22

FA Women’s National League

Northern Premier Division
The teams occupying the top two positions in the table
met each other and was as close as anticipated, with
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fylde Women
sharing a goalless draw. Both teams had gone into the
game having won their opening three matches,
therefore Fylde stay just ahead on goal difference from
Wolves, who are still to concede a goal in the league
this season.
Nottingham Forest meanwhile took full
advantage and swept to a 6-0 victory over Hull City,
the margin of victory being enough to see Forest take
over as the new leaders. All six goals actually came
during the second half, Freya Thomas giving Forest the
lead just after the restart, with Jade Arber and
Charlotte Greengrass adding goals in quick succession. Keynsham Town’s Nadine Grogan turns away
Rachel Brown and Rosie Axten also got on the from Plymouth Argyle striker Gabi Alphous.
scoresheet before Arber completed her double late on.
Derby County were 2-1 winners over Burnley FC Women and have moved to
within a single point of the leading trio. Emily Joyce fired the Ewe Rams in front five minutes
into the second half and Ellie Gilliatt scored what proved to be the winner, despite Courtney
Willis pulling a goal back for the Clarets.
Huddersfield Town remain the division's other unbeaten team, they won 5-1 away
to Loughborough Lightning and are two points off the pace. Laura Elford was on target
twice for Town along with Lucy Sowerby, Brittany Sanderson and Kate Mallin, whilst the home
side's consolation came from Abbie Benstead.
Middlesbrough got off the mark for the new season with a 4-1 victory over West
Bromwich Albion. Lauren Robson netted a brace for 'Boro, with Rebecca Olley and Faye
Dale adding the others, Mariam Mahmood replying for Albion.
Sheffield FC also won for the first time, beating Stoke City 1-0, Molly Waite
scoring the only goal of the game midway through the second half.
Southern Premier Division
The top two continue to power away and have made it four wins out of four, whilst already
showing signs of pulling away from the rest of the teams.
There was a change of leadership though on Sunday with Southampton FC
Women taking over the mantle as leaders following a nine-goal blast against Gillingham.
Ella Pusey spearheaded the win for the Saints by scoring a hat-trick, Georgie Freeland and Ella
Morris each bagged doubles and the tally was completed by Sophia Pharoah and Ciara
Watling.
Ipswich Town also kept up their perfect record and are still yet to concede a goal,
but were pushed all the way by Cardiff City Ladies, with goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan in
outstanding form, before substitute Maddie Biggs scored the only goal of the game for the
Tractor Girls with nineteen minutes remaining.
Bridgwater Utd are heading the chasing teams and possess a game in hand, lifting
themselves into third by winning 3-1 against Crawley Wasps. Ellie Strippel, Chloe Gilroy
and Alice Griffiths all scored a goal apiece for the unbeaten Somerset side, whilst Crawley's
consolation came from Rachel Palmer.
Portsmouth and Oxford Utd occupy the next two places, with the U's just ahead
on goal difference after their meeting finished in a 1-1 draw. Carly Johns gave Oxford an early
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