The FAWNL season got underway on Sunday 17 August. Here is a round-up:
FAWNL NORTHERN PREMIER
There were perfect starts for five sides in the Northern Premier.
Rugby Borough earned the highest score of the day as they sent six second half goals home to no reply. Club stalwart Katy Morris opened the scoring before Ebony Wiseman doubled the lead. Mai Moncaster headed home before turning provider. Sofia Mallon added a eight-minute hat-trick on her debut, set up twice by Moncaster and once by Jessica Camwell.
It was an equally good start for Matt Beard’s tenure at Burnley as they beat division newbies Middlesbrough 5-0. Claudia Walker opened the scoring before Mel Lawley made her mark on her debut on a loan spell from Everton. Millie Ravening made it three before the break on her return to the club. Lawley added another early in the second half before Alethea Paul added a fifth with a minute left on the clock.
Wolves also registered a strong opener with a 4-0 victory over Liverpool Feds. Amber Hughes picked up where she left off last season with a finish in the fifth minute. Louanne Worsey doubled the score before Beth Merrick’s deflected volley made things comfortable before the break. Amy Sims added another in the second half, finishing off a neat one-two with Jade Cross.
Stoke City opened their account for the season with a 3-1 win over Sporting Khalsa. Delphi Cole converted from the spot after Shannon Stamps was brought down in the 20th minute. The Potters then scored either side of the break through Aleesha Collins and Stamps to make the score comfortable. Sporting Khalsa pulled a goal back deep into injury time as Rosie Axten converted from the spot.
Loughborough Lighting earned the first point of their life in Tier 3 in a 1-1 draw at home to West Brom. Fran Orthodoxou sent the visitiors ahead when she turned home Olivia Rabjohn’s corner. It took Lightning just a minute to equalise, however, through Ella-Mai Coutts.
Finally, Hull City got their campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 win over Halifax. Jessica Tugby-Andrews scored the only goal of the game from close range on her debut.
FAWNL SOUTHERN PREMIER
AFC Bournemouth marked their FAWNL Premier debut in style with a seven-star victory over Billericay Town. Sophie Quirk got the Cherries off to the perfect start on her debut before turning provider for Molly Barron-Clark to double the score. Quirk secured her brace on the brink of half-time, rounding the keeper to put the hosts firmly in the driving seat. Jenna Markham headed home immediately after the restart before Kenni Thompson also opened her account for the season. There was still time for Abby Jones to make an immediate impact from the bench before adding Bournemouth’s seventh in the 90th minute.
The other league newcomers, Real Bedford, also made a bright start to life in Tier 3, albeit in slightly more dramatic circumstances as they beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 away from home. Issy Bryant broke onto a defence-splitting pass to put the visitors ahead before Daisy McLachlan found a leveller for the hosts just before the break. A competitive second half seemed to be heading for draw until Leyla O’Brien popped up in the 93rd minute to give Bedford three points after beating the goalkeeper one-on-one.
Exeter City will be looking to back up a strong first season in the Southern Premier. They got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over Cheltenham Town. There was nothing between the two in a tight first half but the visitors found the breakthrough after the break. Bow Jackson opened the scoring with a header at the far post before Sophie Gillies turned home Sarah Stacey’s flick to make sure of the three points.
2024/2025 was a tough season at times for Plymouth Argyle but they got their campaign up and running straightaway with an impressive 3-0 victory over last year’s runners-up Hashtag United. New signing Paris Dalton got them off the mark when she slotted home the rebound from a saved effort. Charlotte Whitmore’s delivery set up the second for the hosts, a corner that was unfortunately headed home by a visiting player. Phoebie Poole then added a third just before the break to make sure of the three points.
Oxford United also registered three points in their opener with a narrow 1-0 victory away to Gwalia United. The U’s winner came through Holly Turner with half an hour on the clock.
The final game ended in a goalless draw between Lewes and Watford at The Dripping Pan.
FAWNL DIVISION 1 NORTH
Stockport County handed Wythenshawe a tough start to life in Tier 4 as they put five past their visitors to no return. A third minute goal did little to help the league newcomers when Mollie Newton’s effort was helped by a deflection. The hosts then doubled their lead just before the break when Kenedy Owen fired in a 40-yard free kick. The scoring resumed in the second half when Jess Battle tapped home before Paige Cole scored with a first-time hit from distance. Em Bradshaw rounded off the scoring late on.
Doncaster Belles had been handed a reprieve to remain in the Division 1 North ahead of the season but their campaign got off to a tricky start with a 3-0 defeat away to Huddersfield Town. Alise Gindra registered a first-half brace before Beth Ibbotson added a late third when she slotted home from a corner.
There was also a wake up call for Blackburn Rovers who swiftly realised that life in Tier 4 may not be as simple as they expected. Cheadle Town Stingers’ 2-0 win was a headline of the afternoon. Jess Gillin opened the scoring after just three minutes while Jess Lightfoot’s top-corner finish marked the perfect debut.
York City earned an important three points against a traditionally tough Durham Cestria. The hosts took the lead after seven minutes when Katie Astle latched onto Dani Trickett’s through-ball. Niamh Doody then doubled the score before the break. Faye Dale pulled one back for Cestria but they were unable to mount a comeback.
There was also an opening day win for Norton and Stockton Ancients. Bianca Owens scored the only goal of the game against newcomers Chester le Street Town.
Elsewhere, Leeds United and Chorley shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Macy Ellis opened the scoring for Leeds but an equaliser from Elizabeth Hamer ensured both left with a point apiece.
FAWNL DIVISION 1 MIDLANDS
Peterborough United kicked off their campaign in confident style with a 4-1 victory away to Notts County. It was the hosts, in fact, who took a first half lead through Shoniqua Barnes. Posh hit back after the break, equalising through Niamh Corner. Niamh Reynolds then lit up the scoreboard with an eyecatching hat-trick to hand her side all three points.
Sutton Coldfield Town came through a six-goal encounter to see off Stourbridge with a 4-2 win. The hosts took the lead in the opening minutes when Olivia Ashfield intercepted a pass back to the goalkeeper. Ella Sharp pulled a goal back for Stourbridge from distance before Imogen Poile put the visitors ahead halfway through the second half. Sutton Coldfield mounted a comeback, however, with three goals in 18 minutes. When a free kick hit the post, Jodie Price was on hand to turn the rebound home before Eva Cassidy lobbed the goalkeeper to hand them the lead. She then notched a second, heading home Price’s cross to make sure off the victory.
Barnsley Women saw off Worcester City with a 3-1 win. Tanya Fozzard and Amber Sewell put the hosts into a comfortable first half lead. Jess Bate pulled one back for Worcester late one but Helen Lynskey confirmed the three points with a 90th minute finish.
Boldmere St. Michael’s got off to an equally strong start as they put three past Lincoln United. Keeley Davies opened the scoring deep into first half injury time. Laura Cooper added a second shortly after the break before Janelle Staker rounded off the scoring.
There were also narrow opening day victories for both Leafield Town and Sheffield FC. Gemma Fraser scored Leafield’s only goal away to Northampton Town while Lauren Winter’s header sealed the three points for Sheffield over Kidderminster Harriers.
FAWNL DIVISION 1 SOUTH EAST
Grace Stanley hit four as QPR eased past MK Dons. The prolific striker scored a 20-minute hat-trick in the first half to put her side firmly in control. Orchard Fern marked her debut with a fine volley before Stanley hit her fourth. Jess Leach then converted from the spot before Billie Brooks’ header rounded off the afternoon.
London Bees got off to a strong start with a 4-0 win away to Chesham United. Lily Whitelock opened the scoring in the first half when she turned home Rebekah Wozniak’s delivery. Samantha Lanza tapped home a second. Brionne Fowle added a third with 84 minutes on the clock before Cheyenne Flynn headed home a corner deep into injury time.
Norwich City also opened their campaign in sensational style with a 4-0 victory over Actonians. Ellie Bishop gave the hosts a first half lead before Hollie Kennard doubled the score when she intercepted the goalkeeper’s clearance. Natasha Snelling opened her account late on from close ranger before Grace Riglar added another from the spot in the 91st minute.
Chatham Town picked up where they left off last campaign with an impressive 5-1 win over AFC Sudbury. Otesha Charles fired them ahead inside 10 minutes before Keresha Iton and Madison Woodgate made it comfortable before the break. Amy-Leigh Abrehart pulled one back for the host just after half-time but it was not long until Ellie Jeffkins restored the deficity= and Amy Russ rounded off the goalscoring on her debut.
Luton Town marked their return to the Division 1 with a confidence-inducing victory over Dulwich Hamlet. Tasha Fensome scored a first half brace to put them in control before Courtney Ward-Chambers rounded the goalkeeper to make it three. Dulwich pulled one back deep into injury time when Mikaela Beynon scored from the spot.
Finally, Fulham FC marked their Tier 4 debut with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Cambridge United. New signing Katie Dungate fired the London side ahead before Cambridge’s Kim Farrow equalised after pouncing on a defensive error. The hosts left it late but it was Ellie Olds who struck in the 90th minute to seal the three points at the death.
FAWNL DIVISION 1 SOUTH WEST
Worthing came through a dramatic nine-goal encounter with Portishead Town, sealing an opening day three points in the 90th minute. They took a very early lead through Jasmine Smith before Kelly Jones found an equaliser for the hosts. Lauren Amerena restored Worthing’s advantage from the spot but it lasted just a minute when Alanna Torrington’s fine finish levelled the score once again. Keira Morris put the visitors back in front again before Smith added a cushion on the brink of half-time with her second of the afternoon. Portishead mounted a comeback once more after the restart. Jones headed home for her brace before Shannon Holloway drew them level. A gripping finale ensued and it was the visitors who took home the spoils thanks to a late goal from Amber Hazlewood.
Abingdon United sit top of the table after a comfortable 4-1 victory away to Bournemouth Sports. Mollie Dyer gave the visitors an early lead before Nell Boxall doubled the score from the spot. Bournemouth’s Elle Elkins halved the deficit just before the break but the hosts could not make any more inroads in the second half. Instead, Dyer sealed her brace before Mimi Hodges curled a fourth into the top corner.
Swindon Town got their season off with a bang thanks to a 4-1 win over Maidenhead United. Annabelle Colston brought up her 100th goal for the club, putting the Robins ahead inside a minute. Macey Walters equalised for Maidenhead from the spot but Isabelle Cook restored Swindon’s lead before the break. Two further goals were added late in the second half to make sure of the victory. Elise Clayton scored her first league goal for the club after turning home a parried effort before Colston headed home her second of the afternoon in injury time.
Last year’s runners-up Moneyfields will be looking to go one better this season. They did their ambitions no harm on Sunday with a 3-1 win at home over Bridgwater United. Megan Fox fired the hosts into a first half lead with a superb finish. Bridgwater thought they had found a way back into the game when Beatriz Kretteis levelled with half an hour to play. Parity lasted just two minutes, however, when Fox’s free kick hit the top corner. Shannon Albuery then made sure of the three points for her side when she converted a penalty.
Keynsham Town also got their season up and running with a 2-0 victory over Marine Academy Plymouth. A goal in either half saw the points remain at the AJN Stadium. Jade Radburn opened the scoring for the hosts after 16 minutes while substitute Georgia Galley doubled the score late on.
Finally, Bristol Rovers were the other winners of the afternoon as they edged past Ascot United. It finished 1-0 to the hosts thanks to Maisy Collis’ brilliant finish in the 74th minute.
