Villa and Forest spring surprises

The FA Women's Premier League
Sunday 16 October 2011
Round up

Sunderland missed a superb chance to extend their lead at the top of The FA Women’s Premier League after going down 2-1 at home to Aston Villa.

Beth Mead appeared to have grabbed a point for Sunderland when she equalised with just seven minutes left, but Emma Follis grabbed a late winner for Villa, who had led early on through Ini Umotong.

And in a bad day for the team’s at the top of the table, third-placed Coventry City lost 4-2 at home to Nottingham Forest.

Andi Bell scored twice for the visitors, who moved to third from bottom thanks to this impressive victory, with on-loan Lincoln defender Sophie Bradley (pictured, right) and Suzanne Davies also getting on the scoresheet. Jade Formaston and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk replied for Coventry, but it was a case of too little too late for the hosts.

Barnet managed to leapfrog Cardiff in mid-table as Renata Innis scored her first goal for the club with just two minutes remaining to clinch a 2-1 victory. Cardiff had taken the lead through Natasha Harding, before Cheryl Williams’ curling effort had hauled the Bees level.

And in the day’s other game, Reading ensured that all four away teams won on Sunday, beating Watford 3-1 to ensure their opponents are now marooned five points adrift at the bottom of the table. Lois Roche had put the Hornets a goal to the good early on, but Nicola Watts (2) and Becky Jane gave Reading all three points.