Cumbria’s two North West Women’s Regional League sides both picked up vital points as the early season games shape the campaign.
Premier Division
AFC Fylde continued their impressive unbeaten run on Sunday, October 12, with a well-fought 1-2 victory at Crewe.
The match began with both teams displaying strong defensive tactics, resulting in a tightly contested first half that saw the score tied at 1-all. However, the league leaders showed their resilience and determination, managing to find the back of the net with a second goal in the latter stages of the match.
This crucial win not only secured all three points for Fylde but also marked an impressive extension of their unbeaten streak to eight games, solidifying their position at the top of the league table.
In a thrilling Manchester derby, Mancunian Unity emerged victorious with a stunning 1-4 win against FC United of Manchester.
In contrast, Tranmere Rovers struggled to keep pace with the league leaders, suffering a heavy defeat as Bolton Wanderers ran rampant, securing a 5-0 triumph that not only boosted their confidence but also caused Tranmere to lose vital ground in the race for promotion.
Meanwhile, in a crucial battle at the lower end of the table, Poulton Vics clawed their way out of the bottom three with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Curzon Ashton.
This victory was a much-needed boost for Vics, who have been struggling to find form in recent weeks.
While West Didsbury and Chorlton faced a tough challenge at Bury FC, where they suffered a disappointing 1-4 defeat.
This loss further complicates their situation in the league, emphasizing the need for a turnaround in their upcoming fixtures as they strive to climb out of the relegation zone.
- AFC Fylde Women – 24
- Mancunian Unity Women – 19
- Tranmere Rovers Women – 14
- Bolton Wanderers FC Women – 13
- Bury FC Women – 13
- Crewe Alexandra FC Women – 13
- Darwen FC Women – 10
- FC United of Manchester Women – 10
- Poulton Vics FC Ladies – 10
- West Didsbury and Chorlton FC Women – 9
- Curzon Ashton FC Women – 3
- Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies – 0
It is a top of the table clash on Sunday, October 19, as unbeaten AFC Fylde make the trip to Mancunian Unity, who have experienced a mixed run of form this season with one loss and one draw, currently placing them in a strong second position on the league table.
This match promises to be intensely competitive, as both teams are eager to establish their dominance early in the season.
Meanwhile, the action doesn’t stop there. Tranmere Rovers will host FC United of Manchester in what is expected to be another thrilling encounter.
Additionally, Bolton Wanderers will head to Bury FC, adding another layer of excitement with both teams vying for third place with Tranmere, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle as they push for vital points that could significantly impact their standings in the league.
The nail biting action is not just confined to the top of the table as Curzon Ashton host Darwen FC while West Didsbury and Chorlton travel to winless Fleetwood Town Wrens.
With three teams relegated it might be too early to say these games are relegation 6 pointers with the winners getting not only the three points on offer but a physiological boost going into their next game.
Division One North
The top two could not be separated on Sunday 12, as Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool shared the points with an exciting 2-2 draw. This match showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, with thrilling moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Each side had its fair share of opportunities, and despite their best efforts to secure a victory, they ultimately settled for the draw, which keeps the competition tight.
Meanwhile, Preston North End demonstrated their attacking prowess in a stunning display against bottom of the table Fleetwood Town Wrens, securing a remarkable 12-1 victory. From the very start, North End exhibited dominance, leading 6-0 at half-time. Their relentless pursuit of goals continued into the second half, where another seven were added to the scoreline, leaving spectators in awe of their performance. Fleetwood Town struggled to contain the offensive barrage, and the match highlighted the stark contrast in form between the two sides. This commanding win undoubtedly boosts Preston North End’s confidence as they aim to solidify their position in the league standings as the season progresses.
Fresh from their Adode Women’s FA Cup game, Penrith were back in league action, eager to secure another victory. They managed to run out impressive 4-6 winners against Haslingden. The match started strong for Penrith as they led comfortably with a score of 0-3 at halftime. Goals from Emily Mason, Abbie Forster, and Kayleigh Wharton set them on the path to success. However, the hosts weren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet and mounted a spirited comeback.
Haslingden took full advantage of a lapse in defense by Penrith, leading to a penalty that they won and converted successfully. This goal infused new life into the match and reignited the hosts’ hopes of turning the tide. Soon after, they added a second goal that narrowed the gap considerably.
Just as the game began to intensify, both sides faced a challenge as they were reduced to ten players, making the match even more thrilling.
In a key moment, Wharton calmed Penrith’s nerves with her second goal of the match, raising the score to 2-4. However, Haslingden showcased their resilience as they struck back, making the score 3-4.
With the pressure mounting, Wharton had the final say, securing two additional goals to complete her hat-trick and end the day with an impressive four goals.
Despite Haslingden adding a consolation goal late into the match, the final score stood at 4-6, allowing Penrith to celebrate their hard-fought victory.
Chorley moved above Morecambe with a commanding 3-1 win, which lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, the match between Workington Town and Accrington Stanley ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, with notable performances from Leila Branthwaite, Hayley Bracken, and Cassie Donald, who each found the back of the net for Town.
- Bolton Wanderers Women Reserves – 28
- Blackpool F.C. Girls and Ladies – 16
- Preston North End Women – 15
- Penrith AFC Ladies – 12
- Haslingden Ladies & Girls Ladies – 9
- Accrington Stanley Women FC – 8
- Workington Town Women FC – 8
- Chorley Women Development – 6
- Morecambe FC Women – 4
- Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies Reserves – 3
There is just the one game in the Division One North as Chorley host Workington Town, with both sides battling to move away from the relegation zone in a critical matchup that could significantly impact their season standings.
Division One Central
There are new leaders at the top of the Division One Central league as Salford City Lionesses managed to draw 2-2 at Rochdale AFC, which provided an opportunity for other teams in the league to capitalize on their dropped points.
Ashton Town took full advantage of this situation and secured an impressive 7-2 victory over Pilkington Women, showcasing their offensive prowess and determination to climb the league standings.
In a thrilling matchup that will surely have rugby league fans buzzing as well, St. Helens triumphed over their rivals Wigan with a scoreline of 4-2, allowing the Saints to maintain their position in third place.
This victory not only boosts their confidence but also solidifies their stance as serious contenders in the league, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.
At the bottom of the table, Radcliffe FC faced another challenging defeat, marking their eighth loss of the campaign. Mossley Hill Athletic emerged as 5-1 winners in this encounter, leaving Radcliffe struggling to find form as they grapple with their current position.
Compounding their troubles, Atherton Laburnum also suffered a setback, losing 1-2 to MSB Woolton, which further dragged them back towards the lower end of the standings.
- Ashton Town Ladies – 21
- Salford City FC Lionesses Women – 21
- FC St. Helens Women – 19
- Rochdale AFC Womens – 16
- Mossley Hill Athletic Women – 14
- Atherton Laburnum Rovers Ladies – 13
- MSB Woolton FC – 13
- Wigan Athletic Ladies – 7
- Pilkington Women FC – 2
- Radcliffe FC Women – 0
With the rest of the Division One Central playing cup games taking place, Ashton Town is set to travel to MSB Woolton on Sunday 19, with a significant opportunity on the horizon.
The team understands that a victory in this match could propel them clear at the top of the table, a position they have been striving to maintain throughout the season.
Division One South
In the top versus bottom of the table game on Sunday, the 12th, there was no upset as Nantwich Town showcased their dominance in a thrilling display of football, winning decisively with a staggering scoreline of 10-1 against Liverpool Feds. This emphatic victory not only emphasized Nantwich Town’s impressive form but also highlighted the struggles faced by Liverpool Feds, who now find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom of the table.
In another exciting matchup, second-placed Runcorn Linnets further solidified their standing in the league by increasing the gap between themselves and third-placed Wirral Phoenix.
They achieved this through a commanding performance, thrashing Wirral Phoenix 7-2.
This victory is likely to serve as a strong motivator for Runcorn Linnets as they look to challenge for the top position.
At the other end of the table, the competition remains fierce and tightly contested, with only five points separating Liverpool Feds in tenth place from Wirral Phoenix, who are currently positioned third.
Chester FC managed to climb up the league standings, earning a significant 3-0 win against AFC Crewe, which has revitalized their campaign as they strive to create a buffer from the relegation spots.
Meanwhile, Warrington Town’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester Laces has allowed them to escape the relegation zone, which adds to the intensity and drama of this tightly-knit league.
In a crucial match for survival, Macclesfield FC faced off against Altrincham FC, and the game ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw.
This result has placed them squarely in the relegation places, casting a shadow over their hopes for the remainder of the season. Altrincham FC, while still just above the relegation line, knows they must remain vigilant to avoid slipping further down the table as the season progresses.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as the league heads into the final stretch, with every point being critical in the battle for survival and promotion.
- Nantwich Town FC Women – 22
- Runcorn Linnets Ladies FC – 16
- Wirral Phoenix Women – 10
- AFC Crewe Women – 10
- Chester FC Women – 9
- Altrincham FC Women – 9
- Manchester Laces FC – 7
- Warrington Town FC Women – 7
- Macclesfield FC Women – 5
- Liverpool Feds Reserves Women – 5
In the only game in Division One South, Liverpool Feds will hope to jump up the table when they host Manchester Laces on Sunday 19.
This crucial match presents an excellent opportunity for Liverpool Feds to showcase their skills and determination, as they look to gain momentum with a strong performance against a competitive side.
Fans are expected to pack the stands, bringing an electric atmosphere that could inspire the players to deliver their best. Both teams have been preparing rigorously, and the stakes are high as every point counts in the race for promotion.
With the match approaching, the anticipation is building, and the Feds will be eager to secure a vital victory on home turf.
THE HERDWICK NEWS 