Tough Sunday For Local Sides

It was defeat for Nottingham Forest, Notts County, and Notts County Reserves, on a tough Sunday for the regions higher placed women’s football sides.

The former of the three were home to WSL2 leaders, Charlton Athletic, with the Addicks claiming in a 2-0 win through Lucy Fitzgerald’s quick-fire, first half brace, as they extended their advantage at the top to five points, and their unbeaten run to twenty-five league matches.

Notts County meanwhile saw defeat for both their first team, in the FAWNL Division One Midlands, and their reserves in the FAWNL Reserves Northern – the firsts went down 2-1 at home to third bottom Kidderminster Harriers, and the reserves were on the end of a 7-1 drubbing away to East Midlands rivals, Derby County Development.

It was cup action in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League as Mansfield Town, Arnold Eagles, Nottingham Trent University, and SJR Worksop, contested that of the League Cup, and League Plate competitions.

Mansfield progressed to the semi-finals of the League Cup with a comprehensive, 7-1 drubbing of visitors Dronfield Town; level at the break at ones apiece, the Stags turned on the style in the second half to add six, unanswered goals, Ainsley Allan’s hat-trick being added to by a brace from Millie Edwards, and one each for Katie Platts and Shannon Purdy.

Asfordby Amateurs and Loughborough Foxes Vixens also progressed to the final four, the trio awaiting the victor of the Notts County Development versus Anstey Nomads tie.

SJR Worksop and Nottingham Trent meanwhile made the final four of the League Plate, the former winning 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw away to Stamford, Millee Clarke’s brace, including an 89th minute equaliser, taking the game to spot-kicks.

As for NTU, they progressed following a 3-1 win away to Long Eaton United, and Arnold Eagles exited following a 5-0 loss at Gainsborough Trinity, whilst the remaining tie will be between Brackley Town and Rotherham United.

League-wise, there was action involving Notts-based clubs in the EMWRFL Division One Central as a resurgent Basford United saw off Coalville Town 3-1 at home; Ruby Bolingbroke bagged a debut brace and there was one apiece for Ella Dorman, Olivia Wheatcroft, and Polly Dixon, the hosts leapfrogging their visitors into sixth.

The remaining game saw University of Nottingham move into third, on goal-difference, following a comfortable, 4-0 win away to bottom club Sherwood.

In the Notts Girls & Ladies League Seniors One, unbeaten leaders, Hucknall Town, registered a seventh successive win when away to NTU Pink, whilst Mansfield Town Development won 3-2 at home to Ollerton Town to move into second, on goal-difference.