FA Women's Premier League opening day round-up

The FA Women's Premier League is back with a bang.

Northern Division

Newcastle United showed they mean business this season with an emphatic 6-1 win over Nuneaton Town which took them straight to the top of The FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division table.

Kate Brooks opened the scoring after just seven minutes when she headed in Claire Pitt’s free-kick, before another set piece on 18 minutes saw Ellie Dobson convert on the rebound.

Dobson would be among the goals again and she tapped in on 27 minutes before a superb scissor kick on 45 minutes completed a debut hat-trick.

There was still time in the first half for another Newcastle goal, as another debutant, Elizabeth Campbell, found the net for 5-0.

And while Newcastle took the foot off the gas after the break – Nuneaton’s Sarah Rowles hitting in the rebound after her initial penalty was saved on 74 minutes – Lady Mags’ sub Rachel Vassallo made it six to the home side two minutes later.

Three other teams enjoyed victorious starts to the season with Blackburn, Derby County and Sporting Club Albion all coming out on the right side of results.

Derby County hosted a Guiseley Vixens side playing their first game at this level, although it was a close-run affair at 2-1.

Kate Lowder opened the scoring for the hosts on 29 minutes before a long ball forward was seized upon by Melissa Johnson two minutes later for a 2-0 half-time lead.

To their credit, the visitors battled away and reduced the deficit shortly after the restart through captain Aimi Beresford, but they were unable to find the equaliser.

Loughborough Foxes, another of the promoted sides making their debut, also pushed Blackburn close with Lynda Shepherd’s half-volley eventually clinching it for last year’s third-placed team.

Two late goals from Bradford’s Carey Huegett and Sarah Danby could not prevent Sporting Club Albion taking all three points with a 3-2 win at Halesowen Town.

Leigh Dugmore had opened the scoring for the Baggies two minutes before the interval, and then converted a penalty on the hour mark to put her side in control.

Hazzanna Parnell appeared to have made the game safe on 73 minutes for a third but Albion were forced to dig deep as Bradford rallied late on.

Elsewhere Huddersfield Town and Stoke City ensured there was plenty of entertainment as they shared a six-goal thriller between them.

The visitors, who saw Courtney Jones score twice as well as Laura Garside once, had been leading 2-0 after the first quarter of an hour – Jones with the opening penalty – but Emily Heckler hit back for Huddersfield.

The striker bagged herself a superb second-half treble – the first from the spot – to seemingly put her side in the driving seat with just minutes remaining before Stoke forced a late equaliser.

Nottingham Forest also came back to earn a point, this time thanks to a 2-2 draw with Preston.

Keeleigh Savage had opened the scoring on 26 minutes and Charlotte Farrell then blasted in a 20-yard free-kick to give Preston a two-goal cushion.

But Andi Bell hit back with two goals in five minutes to square the match with 15 minutes to play, before Lagan Makin almost won it for Forest, but her effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Southern Division

Coventry United began life back in The FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division with a five-star showing against West Ham.

Initially the teams were well matched with only Nikki Miles' early header being the difference at the interval.

But Coventry refused to take their foot off the gas and got their rewards in the final quarter of an hour, as Maz Gauntlett doubled their advantage before Miles nodded in her second.

They were not done there either, and Helen Dermody and Amanda Whalley both got in on the act as Coventry went straight to the top of the table.

They are closely followed by Brighton & Hove Albion who themselves found the net four times at home to Forest Green Rovers.

Jay Blackie powered in a header from a corner early on before Deanna Cooper doubled the lead with 27 minutes gone, in what was quickly turning into a harsh introduction to life in the division for Rovers.

Blackie then turned provider just after the hour mark as she played in Lucy Somes with a clever through ball, before Kirsty Barton rounded off the scoring for the afternoon.

Not to be outdone, Albion’s local rivals Lewes also got their season up and running in style with a 4-1 win over Plymouth.

Goalless after the first 45 minutes, the game came to life shortly after the restart as Sarah Carter broke the deadlock before Kelly Newton added a second on 50 minutes.

Kayleigh Brown replied for Arygle, but Cherelle Khassal popped up with two goals in nine minutes to secure all three points.

Last year’s champions Portsmouth also got their campaign up and running with a win, courtesy of a second-half strike from substitute Shannon Sievwright against Cardiff.

Chances came for both sides in the first half but neither could find the breakthrough with the goalkeepers on top.

Sheffield FC celebrate winning last season's FA WPL Championship Play-Off

Cardiff then appeared to be growing in confidence but the game changed on 72 minutes when Sievwright volleyed home with her first touch.

The hosts continued to battle hard with opportunities falling to Kelly Issac, Chloe Lloyd and Naomi Clipston but they were unable to convert.

While in the London derby the early-season honours went the way of Tottenham Hotspur who celebrated a victory over Queens Park Rangers at their new Cheshunt FC base.

The hosts got off to the best possible start with Bianca Baptiste scoring via the post after only seven minutes before Jo Wilson levelled matters just after the half-hour mark.

That was not the final action of the half though and Alex Keown headed Spurs back in front from a corner five minutes before half-time.

Leah Rawle hit the bar for the hosts, who kept their opponents at bay in the second half.

And the day’s final game saw the points shared as C&K Basildon held Charlton to a 1-1 draw in their first ever FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division fixture.

They even took a 15th-minute lead through Sara Sinclair at their new Canvey Island FC home, but Megen Lynch spoiled the party by picking out Gemma Shepherd to fire the Addicks level on the stroke of half-time.