We take a look at the numbers that make up the weekend’s FA Women’s National League action.
With another round of the fixtures in the history books. we pick out some of the numbers that caught our eye in the FA Women’s National League this weekend.
527 – Bumper crowd at Abbey Stadium
The Abbey Stadium was rocking this past weekend as Cambridge United ran out 1-0 winners Norwich City in the FAWNL Division One South East.
Stojko-Down’s goal on 28 minutes proved to be the difference between the two sides In front of an impressive crowd of 527 – United’s strongest showing of the season and the biggest crowd of the weekend in the Women’s National League.
88 – GOAAAALLLLLLLLL!
The ball hit the back of the net a sizeable 88 times across 23 matches on Sunday, with Lincoln and Stockport the biggest contributors to that number.
Lincoln City ran rampant against bottom side Bedworth United as Toni McHamilton and Chantelle Robinson bagged hat-tricks in a 9-1 win over the Division One Midlands strugglers, while Stockport were equally as ruthless, putting seven past Alnwick Town in a comfortable afternoon’s work for Steve O’Hara’s side.
8 – Ipswich Town into the last eight
The Tractor Girls made history yet again to reach the last eight of the FA Cup as goalkeeping heroics from Sarah Quantrill and a penalty masterclass proved to be the difference for Town after the Southern Premier Division heavy-hitters couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of FA Cup action.
Town have beaten MK Dons, Crawley Wasps, AFC Wimbledon, Newcastle United, and Southampton en route to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where they are to set to face WSL side West Ham United at the Goldstar Ground.
10 – Feds and U’s continue impressive runs
Liverpool Feds and Oxford United extended their winning streaks in league competition to ten matches with wins over Chester le Street and Crawley Wasps respectively.
Feds’ impressive run dates back to September when Leanne Duffy’s side bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Leeds United to beat Norton & Stockton Ancients. Since then, they have recorded a further nine wins and enjoy a five-point lead over Newcastle United at the top of FAWNL Division One North.
Oxford United have enjoyed similar fortunes in recent months after beating London Bees back in October to kick-start their stellar run. At the time, The U’s were sitting in sixth place but a perfect 30 points from their next ten matches since has seen them move within striking distance of Ipswich Town at the top of the FAWNL Southern Premier Division table.
10 – Ten or more to go for ten sides
While many Women’s National League sides are nearing the end of their seasons – with some sides having as few as five games left to play – others have plenty of business more to handle on the pitch before the end of May.
In fact, ten FAWNL teams have at least ten games remaining despite the season beginning over 28 weeks ago: Exeter City, Alnwick Town, Bradford City, Chorley, Leeds United, Leafield Athletic, Hounslow, Plymouth Argyle, Bridgwater United, and Southampton.
2 – Doubling up
Ten sides successfully completed the league double over their opposition on Sunday with Wolves, Huddersfield, Brighouse, Plymouth, Lincoln, Liverpool Feds, Stockport, Cambridge United, Billericay, and the Tags all beating their respective opponents for the second time this season.
196 – 196 days and counting
Wolves and AFC Bournemouth both extended their unbeaten runs to 196 days and counting at the weekend as Wolves comfortably dispatched Nottingham Forest 0-3, while AFC Bournemouth drew 0-0 with Maidenhead United.
The two sides are the only ones yet to taste defeat in the Women’s National League this season.
