The weather may have washed out all but two of the fixtures across The FA Women’s Premier League Northern and Southern Divisions on Sunday, but those that did venture out to watch were treated to no less than 24 goals across the two games.
In the Northern Division, Preston North End’s home clash with Nuneaton Town more than made up for the lack of action elsewhere with Gemma Watson bagging five goals as the hosts ran out 13-0 winners.
With Nuneaton Town having only managed one win from their opening 10 fixtures it was always going to be a tough ask against second-placed Preston.
And Preston were well on their way to claiming top spot in the table by half-time as they led 5-0.
The first goal came as early as the fourth minute when Watson was played through on goal and duly scored.
She then added a second on the rebound three minutes later before Lagan Makin made it three inside 10 minutes.
Nuneaton then managed to restrict their opponents for a period until the 29th minute when Chelsea Flanagan tapped in from close range.
Preston were forced into a couple of substitutions before the interval but they were still able to add a fifth through Hannah Forster.
Watson completed her hat-trick on 58 minutes to make it 6-0 before four goals inside 10 minutes through Danielle Young, a Misty McKindie own goal, Kim Turner and then Watson took Preston into double figures.
The hosts were not done there though and Keeleigh Savage made it 11 on 76 minutes shortly before Watson scored her fifth, while Charlotte Farrell made it unlucky 13 for Nuneaton three minutes from time.
The result took new leaders Preston to 29 points, above Nottingham Forest on goal difference, while bottom side Nuneaton remain on three points, one behind Guiseley AFC Vixens.
Meanwhile in the Southern Division it was another high-scoring affair as Coventry United beat visiting Plymouth Argyle 11-0.
The hosts were on the attack from the off and the first goal arrived on 18 minutes when Ashleigh Neville tucked home on the rebound.
Four minutes later, Coventry doubled their advantage when Nikki Miles headed in Helen Dermody’s free-kick.
And it was 3-0 at half-time after Neville picked up her second of the match by thundering home Annabel Johnson’s cross.
After the break, Coventry piled on the misery for their opponents with Neville making it three and then four goals for herself either side of Dermody’s second.
The seventh went the way of striker Maz Gauntlett on 68 minutes before two quick-fire goals for Dermody completed her second-half hat-trick.
Amber Hughes then scored twice before full-time to round off an impressive afternoon’s work for Coventry United who move up to third on goal difference while Plymouth Argyle remain in 12th.
