It was another action-packed weekend of women’s football with games taking place in the two FA Women's Premier League divisions as well as in the FA WPL League Cup.
There were upsets as well as comebacks as Middlesbrough extended their advantage at the top of the Northern Division and Charlton Athletic had their Southern Division lead cut after a shock defeat.
NORTHERN DIVISION
Middlesbrough kept up their flying form in the Northern Division with a storming 5-1 victory away at Nottingham Forest.
An Emily Scarr hat-trick and strikes from Bianca Owens and Emma Foster helped Boro power their way to seven wins from nine.
Blackburn Rovers lost ground to the Teesiders as they were held by a resilient Stoke City side at the Community Drive Stadium.
Kaylea Cunliffe opened the scoring for Rovers as she got on the end of Taylor’s cross but Emily Owen’s superb equaliser meant the spoils were shared.
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Charlton had lost just once in their opening nine FA WPL matches, winning the other eight in an impressive start.
Yet they could not handle the intensity of C&K Basildon as they were undone 2-1 to see their lead cut to four points.
Angela Addison and April Bowers struck in the first half before Charlotte Gurr scored just after half-time but the league leaders couldn’t find an equaliser in the second period.
Second placed Lewes were able to capitalise on Charlton’s misgivings as they confidently swept past bottom of the league Swindon Town 7-0.
It means Town have now lost all of their eight Southern Division contests so far.
Elsewhere, Coventry United produced a composed performance against Portsmouth as they moved into the top four with a 2-0 win.
FA WPL LEAGUE CUP
Leicester City cruised through their opening round clash against Bolton Wanderers at the Farley Way Stadium.
The Northern Division side ensure there would be no upset thanks to a brace from Rosie Axten and a second-half strike from Olivia Mitcham.
Perhaps the shock of the round game at Plymouth Argyle where the hosts stunned Southern Division outfit Chichester City 3-1.
But there was to be no upset at the CCB Centre as Cardiff City overpowered Leyton Orient 3-1 to progress to the second round.
Elsewhere Northern Division’s bottom Guiseley Vixens had to battle back from a goal down to beat Huddersfield Town 3-2 to progress.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Sitting fifth in the Southern Division, Chichester City might have thought their progression to the second round of the FA WPL League Cup would be a formality over South West 1 outfit Plymouth Argyle.
But they were given a rude awakening when Natasha Knapman netted twice and substitute Tor Marks scored for the hosts after Jade Widdows had struck for Chichester.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Emily Scarr was in great form for Middlesbrough this afternoon, netting a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory but it was her third that will draw the plaudits.
The striker produced a neat 1-2 with Owens before cutting inside and curling her effort into the top corner.
MANAGER OF THE WEEK
John Donoghue got the best out of his Lewes team and they were able to slice apart Swindon with ruthless efficiency.
Lewes are now just four points off the top of the table thanks to their fine victory at the Dripping Pan.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Angela Addison was sensational throughout Basildon’s fine victory over table-toppers Charlton Athletic and it was her goal that got the hosts up and running.
The midfielder tucked home expertly after nine minutes to seal a famous victory and put her side third in the table.
