The FA Women’s Premier League returned with a bang this weekend, with a glut of goals and dollop of drama welcoming in the new season.
Northern Division
Blackburn Rovers got their Northern Division campaign off to a dream start as they eased to a comfortable 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wands.
Rovers, who topped the division last season but lost to Tottenham Hotpsur in the final, were in control throughout as Faye McCoy bagged two first-half goals, before Kelsey Pearson put the game to bed before the break with a third.
Elsewhere, Hannah Keryakoplis scored a fine goal to put Stoke City ahead against Derby County but that was as good as it got for the hosts as they fell to a 4-1 home defeat.
Fylde were the only other side to win away in the division with a 3-0 victory at Middlesbrough, while Leicester City downed Bradford City 2-0 and Nottingham Forest held off Guiseley Vixens 1-0.
But they all sit behind Huddersfield Town, who are top of the table following a 4-0 win against West Bromwich Albion.
Southern Division
Coventry United kicked off the new season with a bang on Sunday as they racked up an 8-0 victory away at Swindon Town – Alison Hall standing out with a first-half hat-trick and four goals in all.
There were five other games across the division and Crystal Palace went one better than Coventry as they secured a 9-0 win over QPR, with a debut treble from Nikita Whinnett and an incredible five goals from striker Gemma Bryan.
Goals were the order of the day across the division as Charlton Athletic downed Lewes 6-1, and Portsmouth ran out 4-1 winners at home to Cardiff City.
C&K Basildon welcomed Chichester City and sealed a 2-0 victory, and elsewhere Gillingham recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham thanks to Kallie Balfour’s late winner.
Game of the week
Last season Huddersfield Town finished seven points behind West Bromwich Albion, but they rose to the occasion in style with a fine 4-0 win to go top of the Northern Division.
The home side were irresistible throughout and host Guiseley Vixens next week brimming with confidence after a five-star display.
Goal of the week
Hannah Keryakoplis proved how dangerous she is from long range as she rifled her side into the lead with a peach from the outside the box that flew into the top corner.
Ultimately it was in vein though, as her Stoke City side lost 4-1 to Derby County.
Manager of the week
Any manager that can inspire their team to a 9-0 opening-day win deserves praise and Dean Davenport did just that as Crystal Palace beat QPR 9-0.
Palace finished fifth last season, but on this evidence could do far better this year.
Player of the week
Gemma Bryan scored five goals for Palace and was immense throughout as the Londoners laid down a marker to the rest of the league.
Bryan was deadly in front of goal and showed her all-round ability with headers, tap-ins and angled drives giving her a dream start to the campaign.
