Crystal Palace became new leaders of the FAWPL Southern, Liverpool Feds regained pole position in Northern Division 1, Ipswich Town went second in the South East and West Ham reached the final of the Plate.
Sunday 4th March
FA WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Crystal Palace 8-1 Swindon Town
NORTHERN DIVISION 1
Liverpool Marshalls Feds 5-0 Morecambe
SOUTH EAST DIVISION 1
Haringey Borough 0-10 Ipswich Town
LEAGUE PLATE SEMI-FINAL
Hull City 0-3 West Ham United
Over 400 see Palace go top
Crystal Palace went top of the Southern Division with an 8-1 victory over basement side Swindon Town, but the visitors – who are without a point – did force an equaliser.
Gemma Bryan scored 7 minutes in via the underside of the crossbar but when a free kick was fumbled by Megan Lynch, Victoria Taylor stabbed home the loose ball at the back post.
The Eagles were back ahead before the half hour, Sarah Jones heading in a Pam McRoberts corner, with Bryan converting a penalty for a 3-1 interval score.
Ellie Bailes collected a through ball in the box to curl in the hosts’ fourth goal and Palace added four goals in the last few minutes in front of a 409-strong crowd.
Megan Chandler striking from 25 yards, Samantha Rowland hitting the sixth, before Bailes got her second and Bryan sealed her hat-trick.
Award for Huddersfield boss
Although there were no Northern Division games played, Huddersfield Town had cause for celebration. The Terriers’ Ashley Vickers was named Northern/Southern Division Manager of the Month for February.
Feds overtake Tigresses
Liverpool Feds took back the leadership of Northern Division 1 from Hull City by beating Morecambe 5-0.
Helen Griffiths’ cross flew straight into the top corner before Chantelle Thompson got through to beat the keeper at her near post for 2-0 on 23 minutes.
Abby Pope had a hat-trick of assists as Rosie Kinvig headed home 5 minutes into the second half, Laura Bartup tucked away a cut-back and then Kinvig nodded in another.
Tractor Girls get ten
Ipswich Town moved into second spot in South East Division 1, while effectively condemning Haringey Borough to a bottom two finish with a 10-0 thrashing.
Natasha Thomas got on the scoresheet before playing in Zoe Cossey to make it 2-0 and Cossey scored again via the post from a Cassie Craddock pass.
Haringey had a player sent off for dissent and Thomas then took the lead to 4-0 by half time.
Thomas’ treble was completed and she then crossed for Amanda Crump to net number six.
Two more for Thomas took her tally to five, with Miagh Downey on target and also a couple for Sophie Welton in-between.
Poole pride at Gunputh recognition
No play in the South West but Poole Town’s Alvin Gunputh was a winner all the same, of the Division 1 Manager of the Month for February.
Wealthall helps West Ham into final
West Ham won through to the final of the Plate – where they will meet Luton Town or Fylde – with a 3-0 result away to Northern Division 1 title-chasing Hull City.
Kelly Wealthall had a goal ruled out for offside just before the break but she did open the scoring on the hour mark, rounding the keeper after a through ball by Andria Georgiou.
The Tigresses threatened a swift equaliser but it was Wealthall who netted again and then set up Georgiou to complete the scoring on 73 minutes.
