Emily Scarr scored five goals as Middlesbrough strengthened their position at the top of the FA Women’s Premier League North Division with an 8-3 win away at Nottingham Forest.
Forest took an early lead through Andi Bell but Emma Kelly quickly equalised for the visitors on her Boro debut, before Scarr scored a pair of inch-perfect free-kicks.
Bianca Owens scored Middlesbrough’s fourth just before half-time, before Scarr took over with three second-half goals – while Bell added two more for Forest to complete her hat-trick.
The FA Women's Premier League
Northern and Southern Divisions
Sunday 11 December 2016
Bottom side Newcastle United secured a valuable point with a 0-0 draw away at fourth-placed Bradford City – while Fylde and Derby County also finished goalless.
In the Southern Division, Coventry United moved a step closer to the top of the table with a comfortable 3-0 win away at C & K Basildon.
Amber Hughes opened the scoring in the first half for the visitors, before Alison Hall doubled their lead after the break.
Hughes grabbed her second to confirm the victory and move Coventry just three points behind Tottenham at the top of the table.
The only other league game in the division between Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers was postponed.
Southampton progress in FA Cup
Laura Gilbank produced an excellent display as Southampton moved through to the second round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup against Swindon 2-0.
The visitors started strongly and went close through Sandy Abi-Elias, but Southampton’s quality quickly took hold as they dominated possession and started tocreate chances.
They converted one of those just after the half-hour mark as captain Kirsty Bell prodded in from close range following a corner.
And Gilbank, who was Saints Player of the Year last season, settled things after the break with a wonderful piece of skill as she lofted a perfect shot from the wing over the keeper to seal victory.
Spurs make last four of Cup
Tottenham’s hot form this season continued as they swept aside Crystal Palace 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the FA WPL Cup.
The North Londoners made a fast start as Nikita Whinnett lashed home after the Palace defence conceded possession, and the summer signing doubled their advantage seven minutes later with a cool finish after a low Wendy Martin pass.
Whinnett went close to a first-half hat-trick with a shot which fell narrowly wide, before Martin added her name to the score sheet four minutes before the break.
Roschelle Shakes’ lob pulled one back for Palace, but Spurs pulled clear once again through Bianca Baptiste.
Cardiff City reached the last four with a 2-0 win at Liverpool Marshall Feds, while Lynda Shepherd, Jess Holbrook and Saffron Jordan sent Blackburn Rovers through against Chester Le Street Town.
Grace Coombs was the hero from the spot as Charlton Athletic also booked their place in the last four with a penalty shoot-out win against West Bromwich Albion.
The match finished 1-1 in normal time but Coombs scored the vital spot kick for a 4-2 success on penalties.
Heckler stars as Huddersfield march on
Emily Heckler scored a hat-trick as Huddersfield Town reached the next round of the FA WPL Plate with a convincing 7-0 win away at Tranmere Rovers.
Heckler opened the scoring before Kate Mallin and Danielle Biglin scored two goals in two minutes. And Heckler completed her hat-trick after the break, while Mallin grabbed a second and Katie Nutter completed the win.
Leicester City progressed with a 3-2 win at Keynsham Town.
