The FAWNL kicked off on Sunday with all six divisions in action.
There were goals and actions galore in the Premier Division as teams lay down their opening day marks. Find out what went on:
FAWNL NOrthern Premier
Brighouse Town 2-3 Derby County
Derby came from behind to seal three points against league newbies, Brighouse Town.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring when Ellie Gilliatt struck early.
However, Brighouse hit back shortly after when Danielle Whitman converted Amy Woodruff’s assist. And new signing Drew Greene gave them the lead just before the break, linking up with her sister Darcie.
With 15 minutes left to play, Derby equalised when Jade Formaston scored from the spot after Sophie Domingo was brought down. Three minutes later, Precious Hamilton proved clinical to hit home the eventual winner.
Fylde 4-0 West Brom
After a chaotic 2020 for the club, AFC Fylde’s managers, Kimberley Turner and Danielle Young, would have wanted to settle things down with a strong start to their campaign.
Their side did just that as they hit four past West Brom to no reply. Jenna Carroll opened the scoring in the 54th minute when she headed home Laura Merrin’s free kick at the far post. Five minutes later, Bethany Donoghue doubled the lead before Jodie Redgrave notched a brace to open her account.
Loughborough Lightning 2-2 Hull City
It’s been a busy summer for Loughborough Lightning as a new era emerged. In June, a merger between Loughborough University and Loughborough Foxes was announced, consolidating the pathways and the collaboration between the two organisations.
Issy Martin’s team battled back twice to secure a point in front of 141 spectators. Hull City took the lead when Liberty Bott curled home a free kick from 25 yards. However, Lightning’s Chloe Young equalised with a free kick of her own.
It proved to be an exciting final 10 minutes. Emily Smith gave the Tigresses back the lead in the 85th minute but Ella Powell rescued a point at the death with a diving header.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Huddersfield Town
It was a competitive battle at Eastwood CFC as Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town played out a goalless draw. There were chances for both sides, but Forest had a chance to win it late on when Mai Moncaster was brought down in the box. Freya Thomas stepped up but saw her spot kick saved.
Sheffield FC 0-4 Burnley
It’s been an exciting year for Burnley Women with their full integration Burnley FC and they got their league campaign off to a flying start.
With neither side finding a breakthrough in the first half, the visitors scored two goals in three minutes to break the deadlock. Evie Priestley struck before new arrival Courtney Willis made it two.
Nic Worthington then converted a penalty before Priestley got her second in the final minute of normal time.
Wolves 2-0 Middlesbrough
Wolves started life in the Premier Division on the front foot with a solid victory over Middlesbrough.
Jamila Palmer opened the scoring after half an hour. They had to wait for their second goal, but Anna Morphet ensured the three points from the spot deep into injury time.
FAWNL SOUTHERN PREMIER
Bridgwater United 4-0 Chichester & Selsey
Jamie Sherwood’s Bridgwater United earned a solid victory in the opening game of the season.
Tia Asker opened the scoring in the 16th minute at Fairfax Park before an own goal doubled their lead after half an hour. They got a third before the break with a long-range strike from Leah Burridge.
The hosts added another in the 93rd minute as Sydney Hinchcliffe converted Ellie Strippel’s free kick.
Crawley Wasps 3-0 Cardiff City
Sunday was Kim Stenning’s first time in charge of Crawley Wasps in a competitive fixture and it could not have gone better.
Naomi Cole opened the scoring after half an hour, firing home from inside the box. Nikita Whinnett then struck in the 70th minute to double their lead. Cole then added another in the 95th minute, slotting home from the spot after Whinnett was brought down.
Hounslow 0-6 Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town’s debut in the Southern Premier saw them look right at home in their new surroundings.
Maddie Biggs opened the scoring after only 8 minutes followed by Bonnie Horwood, recently signed from London Bees, scoring on her debut.
Paige Peake converted from the spot in the 50th minute before Natasha Thomas scored her 100th and 101st goals for the club in quick succession.
Lucy O’Brien capped the performance with a brilliant solo effort to score her first senior goal with 10 minutes to play.
Keynsham Town 2-0 London Bees
Keynsham Town kicked 2021/22 campaign with a solid victory over league newcomers, London Bees.
The two goals came at the end of the first half. Kerry Walklett opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Kerry Bartlett opened her account for the season five minutes later.
Oxford United 2-0 Gillingham
Oxford United have had a strong pre-season with the club making some good recruitment across the board.
They opened their campaign with victory against a battling Gillingham side. Sarah King opened the scoring in the 35th minute, lifting home a Hannah Mackenzie pass.
Riva Casley ensured victory with seven minutes to play when she turned home Lauren Haynes’ corner.
Portsmouth FC 5-1 Plymouth Argyle
Portsmouth FC found their way past a 10-player Plymouth to secure an opening day win.
Having been locked in deadlock in the first half, Olivia Ramsey was sent off for the visitors just after half-time. Ten minutes later, striker Shannon Albuery hit the opener for the hosts.
Rebecca Dandridge equalised almost immediately when she turned home a free kick. However, Argyle’s resistance didn’t last. Cherelle Khassal hit four in the last 20 minutes to make her league debut one to remember.
Southampton FC 3-1 MK Dons
Marieanne Spacey’s Southampton marked their start to Southern Premier life with a strong showing and victory.
England U19s’ Lucia Kendall scored twice in the first half to cap a brilliant performance.
Substitute, Ella Pusey, added another in the 66th minute to ensure the three points.
MK Dons pulled one back through a Mollie Coupar penalty after Jade Bell was brought down in the box. However, they couldn’t mount a comeback and the hosts came away with the three points.
