We take a look at some of the talking points from this weekend’s action.
With another round of fixtures consigned to the record books, we take a look at some of the weekend’s biggest talking points as the 2021-22 season enters its final stretch.
Mikes edge towards league title
Boldmere St Michaels took another step towards sealing the league title thanks to a 1-1 draw against Lincoln City as the Division One Midlands title race near its conclusion.
Admittedly, it was a smaller step than Simon Noakes’ side has become accustomed to after winning ten league games on the spin heading into the weekend’s clash with Lincoln City, but with Doncaster Rovers Belles also being held to a stalemate against Peterborough, a draw means that the Mikes are now within a point of winning the Division One Midlands title and promotion to the third tier.
Boldmere will look to wrap up the league title away to Leafield Athletic in four weeks’ time, though could also be crowned champions without kicking a ball if Belles fail to beat Bedworth United and Long Eaton United before then.
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GD | POINTS |
| 1 | Boldmere St Michaels | 21 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 40 | 51 |
| 2 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 42 |
Division One North title race nears boiling point
Newcastle United and Liverpool Feds continued their relentless pursuit of Division One North points to set up a pivotal six-pointer between the northern heavyweights next weekend.
Leaders Newcastle extended their winning streak in Division One North to thirteen games against a spirited and in-form Bradford City side thanks to goals either side of the break from Georgia Gibson and Beth Guy. An incredible feat that sets them apart from every other Women’s National League side this season so far.
Elsewhere, it was a similar story for Feds, who struck twice in the second half to keep pace with the Magpies. Paige Cole and Beth Donoghue with the all-important goals for Leanne Duffy’s side.
With the title race set to reach boiling point, it’s a testament to both sides that in any other season they would have likely sewn up the Division One North title at this stage. But, with only one promotion spot up for grabs, something has to give – with all eyes on Sunday’s crunch meeting.
Hatters and Saints lift silverware
The destination of the first pieces of FAWNL cup silverware was determined as Southampton FC Development and Stockport County Reserves tasted cup glory at the Trico Stadium on Sunday.
Stockport County and Keynsham Town kicked off the afternoon’s action in the FAWNL Plate competition where a first-half goal from Megan Bradley – the striker’s 24th of the season – proved to be the difference as the Hatters beat the K’s 1-0 to lift the FAWNL Plate. While later that day, Southampton FC Development beat WBA Reserves 4-0 to win the FAWNL Cup, their second trophy this term after going unbeaten to clinch the FAWNL Reserve South West crown.
Stockport’s road to glory: Bradford City Development, Leeds United Reserves, Loughborough Lightning Development, Keynsham Town Reserves
Southampton’s road to glory: Keynsham Town Reserves, Lewes Development, Bridgwater United Development, AFC Wimbledon Reserves, Huddersfield Town Development, WBA Reserves
Back-to-back wins for Norwich
Sitting in 12th place and three points adrift of safety in the relegation zone two weeks ago, Norwich’s survival prospects looked bleak.
But, they have turned things around in the last two games to give their hopes of retaining their league status a big boost as the Canaries made it back-to-back wins against Cambridge City to breathe new life into their survival hopes.
As things stand, City are only inside the relegation zone on goal difference and have everything to play for with three games remaining, starting next weekend where they will hope history repeats itself when they meet Cambridge City for the second time in as many weeks.
Hounslow and Poole Town relegated
Hounslow have been relegated from the Southern Premier Division after being dealt their 19th defeat of the season at home to Cardiff City.
Rooted to the foot of the table without any points to their name, it looked like an inevitability for some time but it was officially confirmed at the weekend.
Elsewhere, Poole Town suffered the same fate in Division One South West, ending their time in the division after five seasons following promotion in 2017.
