We take a look at some of the talking points from the past weekend’s action in the FA Women’s National League.
Despite a reduced number of games in the FA Women’s National League this past weekend, the latest round of fixtures was certainly one to remember as Nottingham Forest posted a new club record win and Cardiff City’s perfect run came to a crashing halt.
On the Money
Moneyfields recorded a stunning 4-0 win over Cardiff City as the Dragons fell at the final hurdle in their bid to make it a perfect ten league games unbeaten.
Determined not to become the latest chapter in Cardiff City’s impressive start to the season, Moneyfields side showed no signs of intimidation of the league leaders and came out firing to score three unanswered goals in the opening 45 minutes – achieving in half a game of football what the rest of the division had managed between them in the Dragons’ previous nine outings – with efforts from Kim Whitcombe, Gemma Simmonds and Charley Wilson-Wilton.
Summer signing Jade Widdows scored her eighth of the FAWNL Division One South West campaign after the break to make it 4-0, while Moneys’ defence stood firm at the other end of the pitch to become the first team to hold City’s attack at bay in all competitions this term to seal a memorable win for Karl Watson’s side.
An unforgettable result in the history of Moneyfields which has blown the title race wide open and moved Watson’s side up to fourth place in the FAWNL Division One South West, with a return of 17 points from 9 league matches.
New Northern Premier Division leaders
The FAWNL Northern Premier Division has a new leader for the first time since October as Nottingham Forest thrashed AFC Fylde 12-1 at Kellamergh Park to move to the summit of the table.
A brace each from Charlotte Steggles, Becky Anderson, and Amy West, as well as goals from Sophie Domingo and Gianna Mitchell, and a hat-trick from Yasmin Mosby made it a record-breaking afternoon for Andy Cook’s Nottingham Forest, who posted their biggest-ever league win.
Forest now sit top of the FAWNL Northern Premier Division, ahead of Wolves on goal difference, having played a game less than their title rivals.
With Forest and Wolves level at the top and Burnley, who are still to taste defeat this season in third place, the Northern Premier title race could not be more keenly poised heading into the second half of the season.
Pompey complete double over title rivals
Portsmouth continued their excellent record against Ipswich Town to edge out a 1-0 win over the Tractor Girls.
In a contest with few clear-cut chances, an inspired moment of creativity from Sophie Quirk and a composed finish from Anaisa Harney proved to be the difference.
Town started the brighter of the two sides but were unable to turn their possession into anything of note before Quirk was able to fend off two defenders to deliver a pinpoint cross to Harney, who guided the ball into the back of the net for the only goal of the contest.
Pompey, whose robust defence and formidable keeper are among the squad’s key strengths, dug deep to neutralise Ipswich Town and earn all three points.
The result marks a third consecutive victory for Jay Sadler’s side over Ipswich Town and sees them climb to second place, five points adrift of leaders Oxford United.
Moors mark return with win
Solihull Moors marked their long-awaited return to league action with a 3-0 win over Long Eaton United – one goal for every month since Tom Blaymires’ side last competed in the FAWNL Division One Midlands.
Moors’ involvement in cup competitions, along with a series of weather-enforced postponements, has caused a lot of disruption to their league campaign this season. However, Moors alleviated any fears of rust in the opening forty-five minutes to clinch the win with three first-half goals, including a pair from Becky Knight and a third from Tiana Russell-Cartwright to beat Long Eaton United 3-0.
They will look to make another long-awaited return next weekend as they prepare to welcome Sporting Khalsa to the Armco Arena in what will be their first league game on home soil since drawing 2-2 with Leek Town on Sunday 18th September.
