Just two of the regional competitions kicked off on Sunday, with action in the Eastern and London & South East Leagues seeing a number of promoted sides beginning impressively.
EASTERN – Promoted Harlow & Wymondham make strong starts
Premier – There were wins for both promoted teams, including Wymondham Town with a fine 8-1 result at AFC Dunstable where Laura Nicholls netted four times.
Harlow Town are the other upwardly side and they began by beating Brentwood Town 5-3, Olivia Steel with three of their goals.
Acle United missed out on the title last season but kicked off this with a 9-0 thrashing of relegated Haringey Borough, hat-tricks coming from Grace Birchall and Megan Todd.
Cambridge City ‘s 5-2 success at Peterborough Northern Star – who have switched from the East Midlands League -was aided by a brace from substitute Grace Stanley.
In the one drawn match, Maya Sidu came off the bench to score for Bedford but hosts AFC Sudbury levelled through Ceri Harris in added time
Div 1 – Reigning champions Stevenage Reserves made a good start again, as Daniela Martucci struck three times in a 5-0 scoreline at Bishop’s Stortford.
Bowers & Pitsea came through 2-1 at Hatfield Peverel, with one each for Sabrina Campbell and Abbie Symonds.
Hutton ran out 5-2 winners at home to Histon, new striker Vicky Kinsman claiming all five of their goals.
King’s Lynn Town saw off Newmarket Town by 5 goals to 3, Oksana Imanalijeva contributing a telling brace for the home side.
Newcomers St Ives Town and Lawford went head-to-head and the former scored in the 1st minute through three-goal Tierney Coulson on their way to a 6-1 success.
Hoddesdon Town won on the road 3-1 at Ipswich Wanderers, Kristine O’Connell and Natasha Crick adding to Charley Handley’s first-half goal for the Owls.
LONDON & SOUTH EAST – Phoenix’s Kasey Kelm to the fore
Premier – Victories here too for a couple of the teams stepping up and Kasey Kelm was right on form with four goals in AFC Phoenix’s 5-2 result at Aylesford.
Promotion play-off winners QPR Girls DS opened with a 4-2 defeat of Parkwood Rangers, Chloe Sampson scoring early in either half for the winners.
Fulham rescued a point at Whyteleafe after falling behind and having Sian McCreary sent off for two yellows, Michaela Gooden getting the equaliser.
London Kent Football United edged Eastbourne Town with an Emily Hart effort.
Next Sunday, 26 August, sees many regional teams compete in The SSE Women’s FA Cup Preliminary Round.
