Regional Leagues Round-up: Pucklechurch Sports promoted

Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United after going top of the London & South East League. (Photo: @EbbsfleetWomen)

Ebbsfleet United returned to the top of the London & South East League, Pucklechurch Sports sealed promotion to the South West Premier.

EASTERN – AFC Dunstable top on goal-difference 

Premier – Stevenage beat Bowers & Pitsea 4-0, Needham Market edged Luton Town 3-2 to go level on points with second-placed AFC Sudbury. Haringey Borough’s Shakira Roberts netted three of their eight goals at Kings Lynn Town, Wroxham won 2-1 at Bedford, Colney Heath drew 1-1 with Royston Town.

1 North – AFC Dunstable went top on goal-difference as Gemma Whitchurch scored four and Mollie Burgess three in an 8-2 win at Yaxley Phoenix, while Biggleswade United were held 2-2 at Fakenham Town.

1 South – Billericay Town Devs are second after winning 8-1 at Cheshunt aided by a Layla Kenly hat-trick. Wodson Park won 2-0 at AFC Sudbury Reserves, Grays Athletic and East Bergholt United drew 3-3.

EAST MIDLANDS – Gainsborough gain the lead

Premier – Leaders Notts County needed a 70th-minute goal by substitute Laura Vine to defeat Basford United.  Oughtibridge WM edged Arnold Eagles 3-2, Anstey Nomads got all four goals at Rotherham United.

1 Central – Just two goals separate the top three, Ilkeston Town now top despite a 3-3 draw with Asfordby Amateurs, Dronfield Town defeating former leaders Nottingham Trent University to go level on points with them.

1 North – Gainsborough Trinity took over pole position with a 4-0 defeat of Lincoln United Devs, Sleaford Town beat Grimsby Borough with Jade Baker getting the only goal.

1 South – Dunton & Broughton United came from behind to beat Loughborough Foxes Vixens 2-1 with an effort from substitute Nikki Lidget. Northampton Town Devs won 2-0 at Thrapston Town, Peterborough United Devs had a similar result over Leicester City LFC.

LONDON & SOUTH EAST – Ebbsfleet have the edge, finalists confirmed

Premier – Ebbsfleet United replaced Worthing at the top after a 4-0 result at Aylesford, where Amelia Woodgate hit a hat-trick in the first 20 minutes. Millwall Lionesses moved up to third with the only goal at Enfield Town, Sutton United and Dulwich Hamlet shared eight goals.

1 North – Basement side Hackney held Brentford 2-2 as the Bees went level on points with leaders Clapton. Watford Devs won 4-0 at Leatherhead, Denham United versus Dorking Wanderers was a 1-1 draw.

1 South – Welling United leapfrogged Eastbourne United into third after defeating them 4-1 in front of a crowd of 151. Bromley’s Sylvia Safranovic notched a treble during a 4-0 result at Steyning Town, Herne Bay beat Bexhill United with a Lauren Harris brace

League Cup – Worthing made the final with a 2-1 victory at Fulham, where they will take on Dartford who brushed aside Division 1 side Sport London E Benfica 11-0 with Emily Vaughan scoring four and Paris Smith three.

League Trophy – Clapton edged Newhaven after Ciara Robinson’s extra-time breakthrough against Newhaven, watched by 212 fans. Ashford United eliminated Richmond Park 5-1 to also reach the 23 April final at Maidstone United FC.

NORTH EAST – Chester le Street’s perfect dozen 

Premier – Chester le Street Town made it twelve straight wins, Charlotte Proud’s hat-trick helping them to a 4-0 victory at Hull United. Wakefield were 4-1 winners over Wallsend BC even though they fell behind on 55 minutes, South Shields’ Eve Gatens picked up a double for a 3-1 win at Redcar Town. Alnwick Town put ten past Harrogate Town, with trebles from Michelle Stewart and Katie Ellwood.

1 North – Bishop Auckland beat Hartlepool Pools Youth 5-3 as Natasha Napier bagged a late brace and their opponents had substitute Abbie Blackwood sent off. Hartlepool United subs Cheyanna Burnett-Griffith and Sara Robson struck in a 4-3 win at Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves, Chester le Street United’s Holly Doogan got the only goal at Guisborough Town.

1 South – Ossett United posted a rugby score of 15-3 against Sheffield Wednesday with five-goal hauls from Emily Burgin and Debbie Hastings. Handsworth took the points 4-2 at Ripon City with Danielle Pinder twice on target, Millmoor’s Abby Watkinson got two in a 3-1 win at York Railway Institute. Barnsley FC Ladies hit hosts Harworth Colliery for six, Altofts beat Bradford Park Avenue 4-0.

NORTH WEST – Fleetwood defeat top team

Premier – Fleetwood Town Wrens won 2-1 over leaders Curzon Ashton with Sophie Slater’s double, FC United of Manchester were held 2-2 at home by Cheadle Town Stingers. Tranmere Rovers defeated Crewe Alexandra 3-2 to climb above them into sixth, Blackburn CSC beat Mossley Hill Athletic 4-2 away, West Didsbury & Chorlton defeated Darwen 3-1.

1 North – Haslingden won 3-1 at Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool’s Emily Salthouse got an 89th-minute winner against Morecambe, Preston North End pipped Penrith in a seven-goal thriller. It was 3-3 between Penwortham Town and Chorley Devs, 1-1 for Accrington Stanley and Carlisle United, while Sir Tom Finney got both goals at Workington Reds.

1 South – Bury AFC lead the table after a 4-1 win at Warrington Wolves, Chester having downed previous top team Runcorn Linnets 2-0. Poulton Vics won 3-0 at Northwich Vixens, Hindley drew 1-1 with Altrincham, likewise  Wythenshawe Amateurs with Alder.

SOUTHERN – Ascot close in on runners-up spot

Premier – Ascot United will finish runners-up if they win their final game, after Nicole Brown netted four in a 5-2 result at Winchester City Flyers. Bournemouth Sports kept up their hopes when beating Wycombe Wanderers 3-0.

1 North – Milton United hit Eversley & California 6-1 with Sarah Saunders scoring three, Woodley United were 5-0 winners at Kidlington.

1 South – Title-favourites AFC Stoneham sank Rushmoor 6-2, as Abbey Rangers held leaders Badshot Lea 1-1.

SOUTH WEST – Pucklechurch promoted to Premier

Premier – Bristol Rovers remain first on goal-difference with hat-trick for Zoe Fielden-Stewart and Abigail Todd in a 6-1 win at Ilminster Town, Torquay United won 2-0 at Warminster Town. Forest Green Rovers put nine past Royal Wootton Bassett Town with seven different scorers, Liskeard Athletic beat Bishops Lydeard 4-2 with a double from sub Keri-Ann Moxom, Sherborne Town edged Poole Town thanks to a Becky Narramore effort.

1 East – Pucklechurch Sports secured top spot after a 3-1 victory at title rivals Frome Town. AEK Boco eat Weymouth 2-0 with a pair from Lucy Atkinson, Middlezoy v Paulton Rovers ended goalless, Weston super Mare hit Stockwood Wanderers for six.

1 North – Frampton Rangers’ title hopes were damaged by a 1-1 draw with Downend Flyers, SGS Olveston United got the single goal at St Vallier.

1 West – Marine Academy Plymouth closed in on promotion as Megan Boulton and Sam Drewery shared their six goals at Budleigh Salterton. Sticker went second with a 5-2 defeat of Feniton, Bideford stunned Saltash United 3-0.

WEST MIDLANDS – Lye hold league leaders

Premier – Seventh-placed Lye Town held top of the table Sutton Coldfield Town to a goalless draw.

1 North – No goals either between Tamworth and City of Stoke, while Coventry City leapt five places with a 2-0 win at Wyrley.

1 South – Bewdley Town’s Chelsea Mudge got a crucial brace for a 4-3 victory at Droitwich Spa. Sedgley & Gornal United’s Bethany Male got both their goals in a 2-2 tie with Long Itchington, Leamington Lions’ Molly Noble nabbed the one goal at Kingfisher.

Premier Cup – Crusaders’ Kirsty Spencer accounted for three of their five goals at Redditch United, Shrewsbury Town knocked out Solihull Sporting 4-1, Worcester City reached the last four with a 5-1 scoreline against Lichfield City, while Burton Albion forfeited the tie with Kidderminster Harriers.

Division 1 Cup – Walsall Wood made the semi-finals with a Natasha Baptiste double aiding a 3-2 victory at AFC Telford United, Knowle had Jessica Holland dismissed but eliminated Shifnal Town 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 deadlock. Walsall Women’s 3-2 defeat of Port Vale came with a Jasmin Springer decider, Coventry Sphinx stormed through 8-1 at Darlaston Town.

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