As the season draws to a close there were some massive games in the Women’s Premier League and some impressive results.
C&K Basildon went top of the Southern Division with victory over Portsmouth, while Wolves moved off the foot of the Northern Division in the battle at the bottom with Guiseley Vixens.
Here’s a round-up of how the action unfolded in a captivating weekend of FA WPL football.
Wolves earned a crucial three points against fellow strugglers Guiseley Vixens with a 2-1 victory away from home.
There was late drama as the game looked to be heading for a draw until the visitors managed a winner in the 89th minute.
The Vixens took an early lead through Emily Heckler as she slotted in from a rebound in the box.
Wolves quickly responded though, as Jen Anslow’s cross looped over the Guiseley keeper and into the net.
Just as it looked as though the two would have to share the points, Charlotte Criddle whipped a 35-yard free-kick over the keeper’s head for Wolves to snatch all three at the death and leapfrog Guiseley to go 11th in the Northern Division.
Elsewhere, there was an enthralling match between Fylde and Middlesbrough, with the home team nipping a 4-3 win thanks to a hat-trick from Jenna Carroll and a goal from Leah Foster.
Nottingham Forest managed a 1-0 win over Bradford City through Hazzana Parnell’s tidy finish after rounding the keeper.
The last game of the day saw Derby win on the road against West Bromwich Albion, as an Andi Brace double – including a late penalty – sealed a 2-1 victory after Natalie Murray had equalised with 20 minutes left.
SOUTHERN DIVISION
C&K Basildon took their chances against Portsmouth to go top of the Southern Division with a 4-2 triumph.
The hosts were 3-0 up by half-time and despite a spirited come back from Pompey, Basildon illustrated why they are top of the league by professionally seeing out the game.
Angela Addison opened the scoring for Basildon after a long ball over the top put her in from the left and she slotted it past Pompey keeper Robyn Levett.
The lead was then doubled through Laken Duchar-Clark as she headed home from a free-kick, and a spectacular 30-yard strike from Jay Blackie put the hosts three up heading into the break.
Daisy McLachlan gave the visitors a glimmer of hope when she scored from the edge of the box just after half-time, but another Basildon goal through Addison eased their nerves.
There was still time for Shannon Albuery to get a consolation goal but it wasn’t enough to fuel a comeback.
It was goals galore as Charlton Athletic put 11 past QPR without conceding, while Coventry managed three also without response to see off Chichester City away from home.
Lewes managed a victory on the road as well to end West Ham United’s 13-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win, thanks to strikes from skipper Kate McIntyre and Amy Taylor.
GAME OF THE WEEK
The 11-goal thriller at Honeycroft has to be this week’s highlight, as Charlton couldn’t stop scoring against QPR.
Kit Graham got her first of five only ten minutes in with a header, before Georgia Griffin made it 2-0 only two minutes later and Graham netted again before 20 minutes had even been played.
Captain Kim Dixson got on the scoresheet next with a low drilled strike, then Graham bagged two headers in three minutes to put the Addicks 6-0 with 36 minutes played.
It only got worse for QPR as Olivia Lukasewich scored Charlton’s seventh, Dixson and Griffin both got another, Graham incredibly netted her fifth and Charlotte Lee fired in the last.
MANAGER OF THE WEEK
Fylde boss Conrad Prendergast deserves some credit for their performances recently. They have come from behind in both of the last two games to win by a goal, showing resilience and determination.
To concede three against league-leaders Boro this week could have spelled defeat but the girls dug in and fought to the end and got their just reward.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
The third goal in Coventry’s 3-0 triumph was a delightful chip by Marie Gauntlett to sumptuously dink the ball over the oncoming Chichester keeper from close range to put the game to bed.
