The tables have begun to take shape this week, after another superb round of FA Women’s Premier League action that saw big wins for Charlton Athletic, Gillingham and Middlesbrough.
Southern Division
Charlton Athletic stormed their way to a 7-0 win over Queens Park Rangers to make it four from four, thanks to a six-goal second-half blitz that included a double from Kit Graham.
Kim Dixson opened the scoring in London and QPR held their own until half-time, but after the break Charlotte Gurr, Ellie Dorey, Katie Flack and Hope Nash all got themselves on the scoresheet in a big win for the home side.
Chichester City hit West Ham United for four at Oaklands with a double from the prolific Char Wilson-Blakely, plus goals from Cherelle Khassal and Jade Widdows also proving crucial.
Coventry United earned themselves a hard-fought point with an impressive 0-0 away at second-placed Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Gillingham are up to third with a 5-0 win at home to Swindon Town thanks to Kallie Balfour’s hat-trick, and Lewes edged Portsmouth 1-0 to move up to fifth.
Northern Division
Huddersfield Town have surged to the top of the Northern Division with a gritty 1-0 win away at Derby County, Emily Heckler getting the all-important goal.
Guiseley Vixens and Stoke City played out a 3-3 thriller at Nethermoor, with the point being crucial for Guiseley, lifting them up to tenth in the division.
Nottingham Forest stay above Leicester City thanks to a 2-2 draw in the East Midlands.
The visitors opened the scoring but Nat Johnson pegged them back, Forest led again but Leigh Dugmore equalised with a 68th minute penalty in a fantastic match.
Elsewhere, despite the score being 0-0 at half-time, Middlesbrough ended up beating West Bromwich Albion 4-0 thanks to goals from Holly Manders, Ellie Dobson, and Leonie Hutchinson.
Game of the week
The match may have ended in a draw but Guiseley Vixens and Stoke City kept the fans entertained with six goals on Sunday afternoon.
Ash Hayes opened the scoring for Stoke but Chantelle O’Hara drew the sides level – Stoke eventually led 3-2 until the final stages of the game, with Guiseley captain Alarna Fuller heading in at the death to earn a valuable point.
Goal of the week
Nat Johnson’s equaliser for Leicester City against Nottingham was a real thing of beauty that changed the shape of the match.
She collected the ball in the centre-circle, stole a few yards and then lobbed the ball over the keeper from 40 yards – with the ball creeping over the line after hitting the underside of the bar.
Manager of the week
Charlton head coach Riteesh Mishra deserves the plaudits after his side became the only side across both divisions to win four from four.
The feat was achieved in style with Charlton putting seven past QPR - they’re now two points clear of Crystal Palace at the top of the Southern Division and can boast a +14 in the goal difference column.
Player of the week
Gills’ Kallie Balfour helped consign Swindon Town to a 5-0 defeat with her ruthless hat-trick at Priestfield.
Balfour praised her teammates for their service at full-time, but finishing is the hardest job in football and the pacy striker gave the perfect display throughout the game.
