Derby County Ladies moved to within four points of the top three in the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division after they downed Newcastle United 2-0 to earn their fifth win of the season.
Hannah Jones put the hosts ahead in the seventh minute after some fine work down the wing, as they dominated the early stages by playing with pace and verve. Mel Johnson went close minutes later with a stinging shot, while Lisa Giampalma headed marginally wide.
County stayed on top for the majority of the first half, and Lauren Cresswell came within inches of heading in a second just before the break but it fell the wrong side of the post.
Newcastle came back into the game in the second half, but Johnson wrapped the game up with a low shot under the keeper.
Their match was the only league game this weekend, with the FA WPL Cup and FA WPL Plate taking over. Tottenham Hotspur moved through to their second consecutive FA WPL Cup final as they breezed past Cardiff City 3-0.
The Londoners were on the front foot from the off as Bianca Baptiste’s cross just evaded the charging Nikita Whinnett.
But it took them until just after the half-hour mark to break the deadlock as Riana Soobadoo crossed for Wendy Martin to prod home.
Martin had a hand in Spurs’ second just after the break as her shot was palmed out to Leah Rawle to tap in and Whinnett rounded it off late on with a close-range finish.
Spurs will meet Charlton Athletic in the final, after they battle past Blackburn Rovers 4-3 after extra time.
Kit Graham put them ahead in the 25th minute with a fine strike from long range, before Gemma Shepherd doubled their lead just after the break.
But with 15 minutes remaining Blackburn sparked into life after Saffron Jordan scored – before Charlton conceded a penalty and Lynda Shepherd converted.
That took the tie to extra time, but Charlton took the initiative as Stefanie Simmonds scored twice to confirm victory – before Jordan got her second late on.
In the FA WPL Plate, Huddersfield Town eased to a comfortable 6-1 win against Actonians.
Emily Heckler was the star of the show as she completed a hat-trick to help set up a last-four tie with Brackley Town.Leicester City’s clash with Lewes was postponed due to the weather.
