The FA Women’s National League Cup Final will be between Hashtag United and Newcastle United, while Cambridge United and Derby County are to contest the Plate.
LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS
Halifax 0-2 Hashtag United (Att: 322)
Newcastle United 2-1 Portsmouth (Att: 22,307)
Georgia Gibson headed a 90th-minute winner for Newcastle United at St James’ Park, eventually overcoming a Portsmouth side after hitting the crossbar three times in the second half. Charlotte Potts firm header from a Tyler Dodds corner had the Magpies ahead after the interval, Emma Jones levelled for Pompey about ten minutes later. Jasmine McQuade, Katie Barker and Paige Bailey-Gayle all hit the woodwork for the hosts, before Barker delivered the cross for the very late decider.
Newcastle’s opponents at Kenilworth Road on 23 or 24 March will be Essex side Hashtag United, who won through 2-0 away to Halifax. Emma Samways set up a second-minute for Sammy Rowland, who doubled the lead before the hour mark.
LEAGUE PLATE SEMI-FINALS
Cambridge United 3-2 Barnsley WFC (Att: 407)
Exeter City 2-4 Derby County
Exeter City threatened an upset against higher-division visitors when Mollie Taylor gave them the lead, only for Eleanor Ashton and Charlotte Steggles to turn the tie in Derby’s favour before the break. An Amy Sims cross forced an own-goal to make it 3-1, Amber Pollock netted a second for City but Sims volleyed in County’s fourth.
Cambridge United struck early on through Rachel Kosky and although Alayna Millard brought Barnsley WFC level, Bella Simmons and Ruth Fox Jodi scored to give the hosts a two-goal cushion with Jodie Snelson only pulling one back on 90 minutes.
NORTHERN PREMIER DIVISION
AFC Fylde P-P Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City P-P Burnley
SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION
Ipswich Town 4-1 Rugby Borough (Att: 492)
Ipswich Town went fifth with a fine result over third-placed visitors Rugby Borough. Summer Hughes’ first-half goal was the only difference between the teams until Yasmin Mosby equalised for Rugby with 20 minutes left. Spurs loanee Lenna Gunning-Williams came off the bench to huge and immediately effect, scoring twice and then setting up Elkie Bowyer for the fourth.
DIVISION 1 MIDLANDS
Sheffield FC P-P Northampton Town
Solihull Moors 3-2 Leek Town (Att: 44)
Sporting Khalsa 2-2 Peterborough United (Att: 80)
Sporting Khalsa came from two down to stay ahead of fourth-placed Peterborough United. Keir Perkins and debutant Ella Hilliard netted for Posh, Isabelle Austin-Short began the fightback and Layla Kennerley levelled in the final ten minutes.
Solihull Moors twice trailed at home to Leek Town, before taking all three points with a goal from substitute Bethany Gallagher. Katie Maya and Manuela Delle scored for the visitors, Rameyah Farquharson and an Alexandra Liddiard free-kick brought Moors back on level terms, before the 76th-minute winner.
DIVISION 1 NORTH
Chester le Street Town 2-1 Doncaster Rovers Belles (Att: 51)
Hull City P-P Stockport County
Norton & Stockton Ancients 0-1 Leeds United (Att; 146)
York City P-P Chorley
Leeds United are up to fifth following a single-goal success at Norton, where Katie Astle was on target midway through the first half.
🍿 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟭 #LUFCW
Katie Astle’s 22nd minute strike seals the win and three points for Leeds pic.twitter.com/okpwMgKkvW— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 25, 2024
Chester le Street got out of the relegation zone at the expense of York City, when defeating Doncaster. They broke the deadlock in the second half, Erin Third’s 25-yarder hitting the bar and Jenny Ashton nodding in the rebound. Rhiannon Gray increased the advantage from distance, Jasmine Saxton replying for the Belles but with 88 minutes played.
DIVISION 1 SOUTH EAST
Ashford Town 3-0 Chesham United (Att: 48)
Haywards Heath Town P-P Norwich City
Ashford Town rose to fifth with a 3-0 victory over Chesham United, their goals coming from Aimee Durn, Alissa Down and Ashley Cheatley.
DIVISION 1 SOUTH WEST
Keynsham Town 1-3 AFC Bournemouth (Att: 52)
Moneyfields 4-2 Torquay United
Southampton Women 2-3 Bridgwater United
Swindon Town 8-1 Portishead Town (Att: 68)
Title-chasing AFC Bournemouth won away to Keynsham, Molly Barron-Clark and Lucy Cooper putting them two up, Vicky Vipond replying but Amber Treweek making it 3-1.
Third-placed Swindon Town thrashed Portishead, aided by a Meg Jarvis double and begun by two own-goals.
Moneyfields moved into fourth spot with a 4-2 defeat of Torquay United, despite Ocean Latto putting the visitors ahead. Skye-Louise Granger, Gemma Simmonds, Bekah Tonks and Charley Wilson-Wilton all hit the net for the hosts, Lexi Watts pulling one back late on.
Southampton Women stayed in the drop zone following a 3-2 loss to Bridgwater United.
