Division One North
It was a busy day in Division One North with five games taking place around the region.
Megan Illingworth and Lily Hambly were amongst the goalscorers as Blackpool ran out 3-0 winners at home to Leigh RMI to maintain their place at the top of the division. Three points extends their lead over Blackburn Community to six points.
Crosby moved up to sixth place in a thriller as they ran out 5-4 winners away to Burscough. Crosby roared into an early four goal lead but were pegged by the Dynamos going into half time at 4-2 Burscough came out after the break full of confidence and levelled at 4-4 however with 5 minutes remaining Crosby regained the lead from a corner taking advantage of a mistake from the goalkeeper. Burscough remain rooted to the bottom of the table with no points from five games.
Bury lifted themselves to fifth and within touching distance of the chasing pack thanks to a 3-0 win at home to Carlisle United. Jordanna Holgates’s 20 yard strike gave Bury a half time lead before Caitlin Clancy made it 2-0 with a delightful lob over the United keeper. Alisha Marsh made it 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining to ensure the points would remain in North Manchester. Defeat leaves Carlisle United 4th with Bury three points behind them with two games in hand.
Cammell Laird are in third place after they defeated Workington Reds as they made the 290 mile round trip to Borough Park. They emerged as 3-2 winners thanks to a Nadine Sword brace and Chelsey Hodgkin. Hayley Bracken and Jessica Reynold were the Workington goalscorers in response.
Division One South
The game of the weekend in Division One South saw 1st take on 3rd at Mersey Valley with league leaders Altrincham extending their lead at the top of the table to six points.
The deadlock was broken on 37 minutes when Jade Hesketh scored from a tight angle to give the Robins the lead. The second goal came on 66 minutes as Bliss Molyneaux headed home from a Laura Dodds free kick to make it 2-0. The visitors pulled a goal back through Sam Hassell but would finish with 10 players as Gaynor Collins was dismissed.
Warrington remain third but both they and Curzon Ashton are joined on 12 points by Liverpool Feds Reserves as they were 3-2 winners at the Failsworth Sports Centre.
Curzon fell behind on 21 minutes but levelled just before the break as Mya Holmes played Nicole Thorpe through one-on-one as the Curzon forward finished into the bottom corner, Amy Smith gave the Nash a second half lead but Feds drew level six minutes later before netting the winner with less than 10 minutes remaining. The games talking point came in the final minute as the home side believed they should have been awarded a penalty for handball but it was Feds who hung on to secure all three points.
Chester led just after the quarter of an hour mark as Katie Priest fired home a free kick. It stayed that way until half time but the home side extended their lead just after half time as Lauren Stringer finished from a corner to make it 2-0. Stockport County Blues responded with a corner of their own to make it 2-1 thanks to Amy Donohue and pull themselves back into the game. However Chester made it 3-1 when Emma Gray netted on the rebound from Amber Bailey’s shot and despite a late County goal through Megan Armstrong they held out to secure their third win of the season.
Also earning their third win of the season were Northwich Vixens who moved up to sixth thanks to an 8-0 win away to City of Liverpool. Jennifer Jacuques, Sorcha Bramhall and Kerry Baker helped themselves to a brace with Dani Fisher-Sherratt and Michaela Thompson.
Premier Division
With several teams in county cup action there were just three fixtures in the Premier Division this weekend with Mossley Hill Athletic and Stockport County taking maximum advantage to further cement their places at the top of the league.
Mossley Hill secured another win at Kings Road things to a hat-trick from Rachel Davison either side of half time on their way to a 5-1 win. Ellie Doyle ensured an emphatic win after Tash Priestley had briefly pulled a goal back for Stingers.
Hot on their heels are Stockport County who secured a league double against Penrith with an emphatic 10-1 win
Chloe Mapp and Katie Brusell each earned themselves a four goal haul with Claire O’Reilly and Sophie John completing the rout.
View James Gill Matchday gallery here
Hot on both their heals are Tranmere Rovers who continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-2 win away to Wigan Athletic. The win takes Tranmere to 12 points from their six games level on points with Stockport County who have two games in hand.
Stealing Five Yards 