First Regional Leagues Round-Up of the New Season

Four of the eight Women’s Regional Leagues kicked off on Sunday 16 August and the North West League follows up with a full midweek programme.

EASTERN – AFC Welwyn Make Thrilling Regional Debut

Premier – Royston Town’s Rachel Dugdale scored the only goal of the game against Wroxham, while Atletico London edged Harpenden Town 3-2 thanks to a Brooke Haylock brace. Bowers & Pitsea substitute Ava Dignam equalised for a 1-1 draw with Watford Ladies Development, Haringey Borough put five past Histon, Brentwood Town made a winning debut at this level 2-0 over Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers, and AFC Sudbury claimed the points with a 2-1 win at St Albans City.

1 North – Thetford Town kicked off with a 5-2 victory over Newmarket Town, while Luton Town Development were 5-1 winners at Needham Market. Cambridge City edged Hitchin Belles with a solitary Jessica Morley goal, while it finished 2-2 as Ampthill Town hosted Costessey Sports and Real Bedford Development played Dunstable.

1 South – AFC Welwyn came out on top in a nine-goal thriller at Colchester United, while Southend United edged past Hertford Town with a single goal. Chelmsford City secured a 4-1 victory at Wormley Rovers, Leyton Orient netted four without reply at Toby FC, and AFC Sudbury Reserves got the better of Hutton.

LONDON & SOUTH EAST – Promoted Hammersmith Claim First Premier Win

Premier – Hammersmith had an impressive 5-3 win at Millwall Lionesses, and Bromley also successfully stepped up with a 4-1 victory over Worthing. Brentford beat Eastbourne Borough by the same score, Aylesford’s Leigha Bradding-Butler netted two of their three goals at Newhaven, and Ashford Town’s Charlotte Close struck twice during a 3-2 result at Dorking Wanderers.

1 North – Dulwich Hamlet Reserves’ Neve Mayes hit a hat-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of hosts Hackney, while Tooting Bec’s 2-1 win over Clapton CFC featured a goal off the bench by Sarah Stevens. There were 3-0 victories for Maidstone United at Actonians Reserves and Camden Town away to AFC Greenwich Borough, while Herne Bay handed out a 4-1 defeat to Carshalton Athletic.

1 South – Rosanne Fine grabbed a treble as Ashmount Leigh overcame a half-time deficit to come through 4-1 at Montpelier Villa. Three Bridges sub Kaitlyn Paul scored a couple in a 4-2 win at Dorking Wanderers B Team, Saltdean United Development’s Phoebe Michie accounted for half their six goals at Hastings United. Tonbridge Angels took the points 4-2 at Steyning Town, while Ashford United drew 1-1 with visitors Leatherhead.

NORTH WEST – Bury and FC United Record 8-2 Victories

Premier – Bury blew away Tranmere Rovers 8-2, a scoreline matched by FC United of Manchester at Poulton Vics. Bolton Wanderers won 3-1 at Darwen, while Nantwich Town doubled that result against FC St. Helens. Preston North End edged past Crewe Alexandra with an Alicia Scott effort, and Mancunian Unity grabbed the only goal at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Weds 19 August: Bolton v Bury (Daisy Hill FC), Darwen v Preston (Anchor Ground, 6.30pm), FC St. Helens v West Didsbury, Mancunian Unity v FC United (Chadderton FC) Nantwich v Crewe (Nantwich Town FC), Tranmere v Poulton (Ellesmere Port Sports Village 3G)

1 Central – Wythenshawe Town walloped hosts Bury Reserves 10-0, while Rochdale had to settle for half that against Atherton Laburnum Rovers. Wigan Athletic returned from Stockport County Ladies as 4-1 victors. Weds 19 August: Bury Reserves v Rochdale (Gigg Lane), Salford City v Atherton (Moor Lane), Stockport v Altrincham (Stockport Sports Village 3G)

1 North – Penrith picked up a 7-2 win at Bolton Wanderers Girls, Accrington Stanley thrashed Morecambe 7-1, and Wigan Athletic Women notched a half-dozen against Blackburn CSC. Alice Earnshaw’s double helped Blackpool beat Haslingden 4-2, while Workington Town won 4-1 at Fleetwood Town Wrens. Weds 19 August: Blackpool v Wigan (AFC Blackpool), Bolton Girls VS Blackburn CSC (Eddie Davies Academy), Haslingden v Accrington (Alder Grange School), Morecambe v Fleetwood (Trimpell Sports), Penrith v Workington (Frenchfield Park)

1 South – West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves’ 7-1 sinking of MSB Woolton came with a four-goal haul from Aaliyah Turner. Mossley Hill Athletic were victorious 2-1 on the road at Tranmere Rovers Development, Chester defeated Wirral Phoenix 2-0, and Wirral United beat Runcorn Linnets 3-0. Weds 19 August: Warrington v West Didsbury Reserves (Lymm Leisure, 7.15pm), Runcorn v MSB Woolton (APEC Taxis Stadium), Tranmere Development v Chester (Shaftesbury Youth Club), Wirral Phoenix v Wirral United (Cammell Laird FC)

WEST MIDLANDS – Halesowen Town Edge Nine-Goal Thriller

Premier – Darcey Garner scored all the goals for Knowle as they beat Coventry Sphinx 3-1, while Coundon Court’s Sophie Shale netted both in their 2-1 win at Lichfield City. Shifnal Town won at Leek Town with Frances Green on target, Solihull Moors beat Stourbridge 3-1 despite a late red card for substitute Morgan Reeves. Redditch Borough thrashed Shrewsbury Town 6-1, and Port Vale drew 1-1 with Hednesford Town.

1 North – AFC Telford United’s 2-0 win over Newcastle Town featured two goals from Abigail Beady, Rugby Town won by the odd goal in five at Chasetown, Sutton United Ladies netted eight times at Whitchurch Alport, and Coton Green finished 1-1 with Walsall.

1 South – A couple of thrillers saw Halesowen Town edge Evesham United 5-4 away, and Crusaders come through 4-3 at Droitwich Spa thanks partly to a Dionne Williams brace. Leamington’s 4-2 win over Long Itchington was set up by a quick Poppy Kelly double, while Redditch United cruised to a 5-1 victory at Worcester City U21s, and Hereford FC tied 2-2 with Bromsgrove Sporting.