Three Regional Leagues underway, North West plays again midweek

19th August 2024 Wilf Frith
Newmarket Town v Biggleswade United, Eastern Regional Women's League
Newmarket Town’s goal under threat during the draw with Biggleswade United. (Photo: Sean Doyle)

Three of the eight Regional Leagues kicked off the new season on Sunday, with the North West going again in a full midweek programme.

EASTERN – Saints net six at Needham

Premier – Haringey Borough got off to a flying start with an 8-1 defeat of Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers, Shawna Harvey with half their tally. St Albans City hit six at Needham Market, Olivia Syson finishing three times. Royston Town edged Luton Town 3-2, Watford Ladies won 2-0 over Cambridge City. Stevenage put four past Enfield Town and Wroxham went one better against Bowers & Pitsea.

1 North – Harpenden Town sub Jessica Curtis struck in a 2-1 victory over Thetford Town, Molly Cunningham grabbed an 85th-minute decider as Whittlesey Athletic won 2-1 at Wootton Blue Cross. Six goals were shared as AFC Dunstable’s Gemma Whitchurch netted three times and Mulbarton Wanderers’ Rebekah Lake did likewise. Stevenage’s Eva Delaney claimed a treble in the 5-0 result at Kings Lynn Town 0-5, Histon took the points 2-1 at Real Bedford Res, while Newmarket Town’s Millie Docking was on target but also Ruth Fox of Biggleswade United in their 1-1 draw.

1 South – Colney Heath came out on top against Stanway Pegasus, with substitute Melissa Godino netting in a 4-3 scoreline. Debutants Toby FC got the only goal at Lawford, Hertford Town ran out 6-1 winners at Romford Town, Southend United saw off Chelmsford City 2-1, while Wormley Rovers 5-1 result at home to Frontiers featured three goals by Chelise Fleming.

LONDON & SOUTH EAST – Fulham reward big turn out

Premier – There were 1,579 at Craven Cottage to see Fulham beat Barking 6-0, Ebbsfleet United sunk Haywards Heath Town 7-0. Saltdean United’s Caitlin Sullivan got the sole goal away to Millwall Lionesses, while Sutton United saw off newcomers Newhaven and Dorking Wanderers defeated Dartford by the same score.

1 North – Clapton CFC had nearly 150 fans in for the visit of Actonians Res, whose Kate Stevens got the only goal in stoppage time. Hackney’s Kea Felix was also the only one to net as they won at AFC Whyteleafe. Bromley came away from Denham United 3-1 winners,  Dulwich Hamlet Res beat Richmond Park 4-2 with two apiece by Shakirra Sesay and Emily Auld, Brentford’s 5-1 result over Leatherhead featured an Ashley Cheatley hat-trick.

1 South – A double from Welling United’s Kimberley Dixson helped them to a 3-2 result at Montpelier Villa, Hastings United struck three times without reply at the Soccer Elite Academy. Steyning Town drew 1-1 at Aylesford despite a red card for Georgina Smith, Bexhill United beat Three Bridges 2-0 and Saltdean United Devs defeated Herne Bay by four goals to nil.

NORTH WEST – Goals keep flowing for promoted Wythenshawe

Premier – West Didsbury & Chorlton’s crowd of 144 saw Wythenshawe walk away 7-0 winners, Darwen sent Mancunian Unity to a 6-1 defeat, Fleetwood Town Wrens drew 3-3 with FC United of Manchester. Curzon Ashton scored both goals at Crewe Alexandra, Tranmere Rovers beat Salford City by a single goal.

1 North – Penrith stormed to a 10-0 win over Hindley as Jodie English, Heather Fawkes and Kayleigh Wharton all scored three, Sophie Coates was another to get a hat-trick as Radcliffe won 4-2 at Morecambe. Preston North End ran out 8-1 winners at Fleetwood Town Wrens Res, Haslingden left Blackpool with a 5-2 victory under their belts. Bolton Wanderers overcame Workington Town 6-0, Accrington Stanley put four past Atherton Laburnum Rovers.

1 South –  Chester came from behind very late on to beat MSB Woolton 3-2, Cindy Tweedle levelling and Emma Gray with the stoppage-time winner. Runcorn Linnets’ Mollie Bennett got a couple in their 3-2 victory at Ellesmere Port Town, Mossley Hill Athletic’s Khadeeja Rhoden a treble as they won 5-2 at Litherland REMYCA, Wirral Phoenix’s Rebecca Tebb four in a big 9-2 result at Macclesfield FC. FC St. Helens took the points 2-0 at Warrington Town, Poulton Vics won 3-0 over Wigan Athletic.

Midweek Fixtures (7pm)

Tues 20 Aug: 1 South – Macclesfield v Warrington (Macclesfield FC, 7.30pm)

Weds 21 Aug: Premier –  Curzon Ashton v West Didsbury (Tameside Stadium), FC United v Mancunian Unity (Broadhurst Park), Fleetwood v Darwen (Poolfoot Farm), Salford v Bury (St Ambrose Barlow School), Wythenshawe v Crewe (SBW  Community Stadium). 1 North – Accrington v Preston (Stanley Sports Hub), Bolton v Atherton (Skuna Stadium), Morecambe v Hindley (Caton Sports Field), Penrith v Workington (Frenchfield Park), Radcliffe v Haslingden (Stainton PARK). 1 South – Litherland v Poulton (LCFA Sefton Sports Ground), MSB Woolton v Mossley, Wigan v St. Helens (Ashton Athletic FC), Wirral Phoenix v Chester (Pensby High School).

Thurs 22 Aug: 1 North – Blackpool v Fleetwood Res (AFC Blackpool)

The East Midlands, North East, Southern, South West and West Midlands leagues all begin on Sunday 1 September.

Pre-season results feature Arsenal Women win over Washington Spirit

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