Photo Credit: James Gill Media

Premier Division

It’s as you were in the Premier Division after the divisions top three all collected three points over the weekend. Tranmere Rovers saw off Penrith winning 8-1 on their travels whilst FC United registered a 7-0 win at Sir Tom Finney. Those in attendance were treated to a 20 minutes Aimee O’Keefe hat-trick on her way to collecting five in total with Jess Battle and Kirsty Chambers also among the scorers.

Stockport County were made to work for the retention of their 100% record as they narrowly defeated a stubborn Fleetwood Town Wrens side 1-0 at Stockport Sports Village. The winning goal came courtesy of a fine moment of brilliance from Chloe Mapp as her first time effort curled into the top corner from 20 yards out.

Goals from Holly Parkinson and Shauna Corrigan were enough to hand Merseyrail their fourth league win of the season as they defeated bottom club Accrington 2-1.  Mossley Hill Athletic are up to fourth as they completed a league double over Manchester Stingers winning 3-1 thanks to a brace from Erin Louise Slade and a Louise Ainscow goal.  Natasha Priestley had initially brought Stingers level on 71 minutes but were undone with 2 goals inside the final 10 minutes from the home side.

Division One North

It’s an exciting time for Bury who are continuing to see the effects of their official movement within the club with

Lucy Golding gave the Shakers an early lead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes to ensure a 1-0 lead at half time.  Golding made it 2-0 moments after the restart with a finish from just inside the area before Sophie Rowlands made it 3-0 with a low finish into the bottom corner on 54 minutes.  Blackpool pulled a goal back with 18 minutes remaining but Bury were able to see out the game and secure a vital three points in their promotion push. The result closes the gap to the top down to four points with Bury still having three games in hand over the Tangerines.

Hot on their heels though are Blackburn Community and Carlisle United who both picked up three points.  Carlisle ran out 3-0 winners away to Penwortham Town thanks to a Kerri Mallinson goal on 26 minutes before Chelsie Browbank made it 2-0 on the hour mark. Rachel Deer then made the game safe with a third on 75 minutes.   Blackburn Community had a more comfortable afternoon as they ran out 6-0 winners at home to Morecambe Reserves. Carlisle currently sit third behind Bury only on goal difference but having played a game more whilst Blackburn are three points further back having played the same number of games as Carlisle.  A four horse race for promotion we could yet see…

…or could it be five? Hannah Perry and Nadine Sword were on target for Cammell Laird as they overcame Workington Reds 2-1 at the NW Construction Stadium to lift them up to fifth place. Cammell Laird have played just 10 league fixtures this season and find themselves 15 points behind the leaders but with six games in hand.  The Ship Builders are 11 points behind Bury but with three games in hand with the two sides yet to face one another this season.

 

Division One South

 

The Divisions final 100% record has finally fallen as West Didsbury & Chorlton’s 10 game winning streak in the league came to an end as they were pegged back by Northwich Vixens.  With the game switched to Lostock Gralam’s Park Stadium at late notice the game did well to survive Storm Freya as West took a commanding 2-0 first half lead through Vicky Lomas and Rachael Dunlop.  Against a West side who’d not conceded in six games many would have expected a comfortable three points for West however Vixens demonstrated why they’re potentially the divisions dark horses as they battled back to earn a point through goals from Michaela Thompson and Kerry Baker.

 

West missed the chance to move back up to second, although still have six games in hand over Liverpool Feds Reserves and Curzon Ashton, whilst Northwich pull clear of the bottom three. Vixens, but for a two point deduction, would have sufficient games in hand to overtake Curzon and draw level on points with Feds.

 

Chester came from a goal down to further pile misery on Wythenshawe Amateurs season winning 5-1 thanks to goals from Rachel Lever (2), Emma Gray, Emma Davies and Lucy Adderley.  Three points lifts them to fifth place and a win from their remaining two games (one of which is against City of Liverpool when the game was abandoned with the Lions 10-0 up) will see the newly promoted side finish with a winning record in their debut NWWRFL season. In the weekends other surprised City of Liverpool hosted Stockport County Blues with the Hatters running out 12-0 winners.