There was a feast of goals once more in another pulsating round of FA Women’s Premier League action, with Nottingham Forest, Coventry United and Chichester City among the big winners of the weekend.
Northern Division
Nottingham Forest perhaps secured the most eye-catching result of the day with a superb 5-1 over West Bromwich Albion.
Hazzana Parnell scored twice, while Trina Greaves, Niki Emery and Natasha Hudson also got on the scoresheet.
There was also joy for local rivals Derby, who won 2-1 on the road at Bradford courtesy of strikes from Georgia Hewitt and Kelly Kennaugh.
Leaders Middlesbrough kept hold of top spot with a hard-fought 1-0 win at fellow early pacesetters Huddersfield Town.
Elsewhere, Blackburn ran out 3-1 winners against Guiseley Vixens, Stoke and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw in Staffordshire, and Leicester's meeting with Fylde ended goalless.
Southern Division
Coventry United ran riot against Gillingham, emerging 9-0 winners after a dominant display, Maz Gauntlett helping herself to a hat-trick for the Midlands outfit.
Char Wilson-Blakely was another player going home with the match ball as her treble propelled Chichester City to a breathtaking 7-4 win at Swindon Town, Cherelle Khassal bagging a brace.
Lewes kept up the pressure on league leaders Charlton with a routine 3-0 victory over West Ham United, while the pacesetters themselves earned an impressive three points after a 3-1 win on the road at Cardiff City.
A Gemma Bryan double ensured Crystal Palace downed Portsmouth 2-0, while C & K Basildon were given a stern test by Queens Park Rangers, edging the contest 1-0.
Game of the week
It’s hard to look past the eleven-goal thriller in Wiltshire. Visitors Chichester were 5-1 up and cruising midway through the second half, before hosts Swindon hit back with three quick goals as they mounted a sterling comeback.
However, Chichester found an extra gear and netted twice more through Alex Collighan and Cherelle Khassal to seal a dramatic win.
Goal of the week
Gemma Bryan’s opener for Crystal Palace will certainly live long in the memory. The mercurial forward ghosted in from the left flank before unleashing a rocket of a shot into the roof of the net. She doubled her tally from the penalty spot late on.
Manager of the week
Graham Amercrombie masterminded a tremendous win for Nottingham Forest over West Bromwich Albion.
Despite there not being much between the sides on paper, Forest were impressive from start to finish in a rousing 5-1 victory in the East Midlands.
Player of the week
Maz Gauntlett’s classy display for Coventry ensured her side enjoyed a fruitful afternoon at the hands of Gillingham.
Gauntlett netted a hat-trick and also struck the woodwork in a flawless attacking display on the south coast.
Coventry had experience a mixed start to the campaign, but this will undoubtedly give them a huge portion of confidence going into next week.
