Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.25 2022-23

Northern Premier Division
Burnley FC Women moved themselves to within one
point of leaders Nottingham Forest, with a game in
hand, after they defeated Derby County 4-1. The Ewes
went into the game on the back of six straight victories but saw any lingering title hopes crushed
by a rampant Burnley side who went three goals up inside the opening twenty minutes thanks
to Elizabeth Hamer, Laura Elford and Leah Embley. Rebecca McGrother did give Derby hope
when she pulled a goal back midway through the second half but a late strike from Millie
Ravening sealed an impressive win for Burnley which steps up their title challenge.
Fylde Women have experienced contrasting fortunes to Derby in recent weeks, having
gone on a run of five league defeats in a row, but they halted a worrying slide down the table
with a crucial 2-1 win away to mid-table Stoke City. The home side went into the match in
decent form and took a first half lead through Nuala Miszkiel but Alex Taylor brought the
Coasters back on level terms just after the hour, and Amy Hughes netted a second nine minutes
later to get Fylde's season back on track.
Boldmere St Michaels meanwhile gave their chances of climbing out of the bottom two
a huge shot in the arm, thanks to a 2-1 success at Huddersfield Town. Jade Formaston gave
the Mikes a flying start with an early goal which was cancelled out ten minutes later by Serena
Fletcher, but a Leonie Joyce goal, twelve minutes into the second half, earned Boldmere their
fourth league win of the campaign.
Southern Premier Division
Ipswich Town continued their valiant effort for the title and are back on top of the table again
following their 4-1 victory away to Crawley Wasps, who look destined to finish in the bottom
two. Freya Godfrey, Anna Grey, Bonnie Horwood and Eloise King all scored to take the Tractor
Girls back above previous leaders Oxford Utd, who have played two games less, whilst Letitia
Nicholls netted a consolation from the penalty spot for Crawley.
Two first half goals from Georgia Griffin have seen Gillingham return to the top half,
courtesy of a 2-0 win against Plymouth Argyle who stay just above the bottom two.
The weekend had started with Cheltenham Town hosting London Bees at Whaddon
Road on Saturday and it was the visitors who were to pick up a valuable 1-0 win. The game
looked to be heading towards a goalless draw until Kayla Potter gave the Bees three precious
points by scoring the winning goal, deep into injury time.
Division One North
Newcastle Utd closed the gap on leaders Durham Cestria to a single point as they ran out
4-0 winners over Norton & Stockton Ancients. In front of another impressive attendance
at the Kingston Park Stadium, Katie Barker, Kacie Elson, Georgia Gibson and Rachel Lee all got
on the scoresheet for Newcastle.
Leeds Utd moved back into fifth place after they defeated Bradford City 3-2. All of
Leeds' goals came in a six minute spell during the second half, Jessica Rousseau bagging a brace
to add to an Amy Woodruff goal, whilst Bradford's replies came from Arianne Parnham and
Charlotte Stuart.
Division One Midlands
Doncaster Rovers Belles trimmed Stourbridge's lead at the top to four points, thanks to a
2-1 victory against Wem Town. Shelby Morris and Sophie Brown were on target for the Belles,
with Abby Sheriff replying.
Sporting Khalsa remain two points behind the Belles in third place after they defeated
Sheffield FC 3-0. Skye Owen gave Khalsa an early lead and they went on to seal the points
after the break, courtesy of a double from Olivia Woolston.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk