By Robert Haile

The North West Women’s Regional Football League opened with style as all three leagues kicked off with upsets in the first two rounds.

In the Premier Division promoted Blackpool FC Ladies got off to a winning start with a 2-0 at West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC Women on Sunday, August 20.

Crewe Alexandra FC Women where held to a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Community Sports Club Women as Salford City lost 0-2 to Darwen FC while Tranmere Rovers Women won 2-1 at home to Cheadle Town Stingers.

Curzon Ashton FC Women and Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies will have to do it again as the match was postponed.

The second round came fast with the sides back in action on Wednesday, August 23.

Bury FC got their campaign underway with a 0-5 loss to Salford City Lionesses as Blackburn Community lost 0-3 to early pace setters Darwen FC.

In a close game Cheadle Town lost 2-3 to West Didsbury and Tranmere sit second on goal difference after a 2-1 win at home to Crewe Alexandra.

Blackpool lost the first derby on Thursday, August 24, as local rivals Fleetwood Town 3-0 winners.

There is just the one game on Saturday, August 27, as Curzon Ashton take on Tranmere Rovers.

On Wednesday, August 30, Blackpool head to Blackburn, Salford City take on Cheadle Town, leaders Darwen play Fleetwood and West Didsbury host Bury.

Cumbria’s three teams in Division One North all start on Sunday, August 20 as shared a 15 goal thriller with Morecambe Women as the visitors came back from 7-1 down to just lose 8-7 to Penrith.

Workington Reds Ladies lost 1-2 at home to Accrington Stanley Women FC while Carlisle United Ladies lost 5-0 at Preston North End.

Last seasons runners up Haslingden Ladies went down 1-2 to Bolton Wanderers.

The two of the three new sides in the division faced each other as Fleetwood Town Wrens Reserves lost 0-2 to Radcliffe FC Women and Mancunian Unity Women won 1-6 at Penwortham Town Ladies.

Three days later the first Cumbrian Derby of the season Carlisle United lost 0-3 to Penrith on Wednesday, August 23.

Accrington won 3-1 against Haslingden, Bolton lost 4-0 at Preston North End, Penwortham Town beat Morecambe 4-5 and Radcliffe went down 1-4 Mancunian Unity.

On Tuesday, August 29, Mancunian Unity host Bolton Wanderers.

Carlisle United travel to Workington Reds Ladies on Wednesday, August 30, while Haslingden host new comers Radcliffe, Penwortham welcome Morecambe and Fleetwood travel to Preston North End.

Two of the three new teams in Division One South opened their campaigns with home fixtures on Sunday, August 30.

Ellesmere Port Town’s game with Wythenshawe Ladies was postponed.

F.C. St. Helens won their first game 4-3 against Warrington Wolves Foundation while Litherland Remyca were 8-1 winners against Northwich Vixens.

Relegated Mossley Hill Athletic drew 3-3 at Altrincham FC and Runcorn Linnets FC were 9-4 victors against Hindley Juniors while Chester lost 2-0 at Poulton Vics.

The sides are then back in action on Wednesday, August 23, as Chester FC Women won 3-1 at home to Ellesmere Port Town, Hindley Juniors lost 1-3 to second placed F.C. St. Helens and Mossley Hill won 0-6 at Litherland Remyca.

Northwich Vixens lost 0-2 to Altrincham FC, Warrington Wolves lost 3-4 to league leaders Runcorn Linnets and Poulton Vics FC Ladies were beaten 1-3 at Wythenshawe Ladies.

The sides are back in action on Wednesday, August 30, as Altrincham face Wythenshawe, Ellesmere Port play Northwich, Chester head to Litherland, Warrington travel to Poulton, F.C. St. Helens host Hindley and Runcorn take on Mossley Hills.