Just three points separate the top five sides in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division, Mansfield Town having taken top spot, and Basford United sitting fourth, following their respective wins on Sunday afternoon.
The issue for the two Notts clubs however, they’ve played a game or two more than those around them with that of Chesterfield, Sheffield, and Stamford, also in the mix; Andi Bell’s leaders, they hit top spot following a routine, 2-0 win, away to Anstey Nomads, Millie Edwards bagging a second half brace for their fourth win of the season.
Basford meanwhile, they sit fourth with four wins and four losses now to their name, and having picked up a battling three points following a 2-1 win at lowly Nottingham Trent University.
A goal in each half was enough to give them the win, Natasha Leach, who else, affording the victors an interval lead, and the returning Katie Platts, it had to be, with the winner nine minutes from time, heading home following a cross from Laura Porritt.
It was a big day for Paul Adams’ side who, along with Platts returning to the fold, he also saw Libbi Mancienne return, and take the captains armband, and there was also a place on the bench for an U23s player in Scarlett Hardy.
Basford United – Paige Johnson, Kayleigh Downes, Megan Wood, Libbi Mancienne, Chloe Barkes, Maisie Plumb, Maja Kocik, Laura Porritt, Chloe Phillips, Natasha Leach, Georgia Gladwin (subs – Kaci Riley, Katie Platts, Neave Archer, Scarlett Hardy)
West Bridgford Colts are up to fifth in Division One Central following their 2-0 win away to Beaumont Park, whilst Sherwood were the counties’ big winners in Division One North, they winning 4-1 at home to Buxton to move within touching distance of the top sides.
Hollie Dalling scored twice for Sherwood whilst further goals came via Aleksandra Dzikowska, and substitute Katie Fish; Lily-May Jacobs’ first half goal gave Notts County Devs a point in their 1-1 draw with Grimsby Town Academy, and Arnold Eagles lost 1-0 at home to Chesterfield.
Meanwhile the goals continue to flow in the Notts Girls & Ladies League Seniors One, the top three of University of Nottingham, Radcliffe Olympic, and Mansfield Town Development, all level on fifteen points – but neither were the days’ top scorers, despite each winning big.
The Uni side won 5-0 at Calverton Miners Welfare to keep their noses out in front, Radcliffe won 6-1 at home to Basford United U23s thanks to braces from Shannon Franklin and Anna-Lena Limb, and Mansfield defeated visiting Retford 8-1 with substitute Tia Richards helping herself to three goals.
Blidworth Welfare, amongst the chasing pack on nine points, edged hosts Hucknall Town 1-0, thanks to Hayley Brown’s goal, whilst Newark Town cruised into seventh place with a crushing, 14-0 win, at home to bottom of the table, Arnold Town Development.
Both Connie Forman and Jessica Higg fired a four-goal salvo apiece, Tia McRae adding a brace also, whilst further goals came courtesy of Jessica Parker, Rachel Phillips, and substitutes Paxton Johnson and Karolina Wielgos.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @BasfordLadiesFC a good win at the weekend for Basford United Ladies over NTU.
