Rafferty and Flaherty net as Chelsea edge towards title

Goals from defenders Claire Rafferty and Gilly Flaherty edged Chelsea closer to The FA WSL 1 title as they overcame Notts County at Staines Town.

Chelsea took the lead at the end of a scrappy opening quarter when Hannah Blundell’s right-wing cross found Rafferty in acres of space at the far post, with the England international duly nodding the ball past Carly Telford.

The goal seemed to settle the hosts and the Blues would have doubled their advantage were it not for England keeper Telford, who stayed big to deny Ji So-Yun as she raced clear one-on-one.

Ji spurned another glorious chance to increase the lead seconds after the interval when she was again thwarted by Telford.

But Flaherty soon made amends, the centre-back crashing a superb volley high into the net from 12 yards as the visitors failed to clear a free-kick into the box.

County had found the going tough in the final third, with forwards Jess Clarke, Rachel Williams and Ellen White frequently isolated.

Despite that, Clarke hauled her side right back into contention on the hour-mark when she rifled in a low shot from the edge of the area, but Rick Passmoor's side failed to capitalise as Chelsea stood firm.

The Blues are now five points clear of second-placed Arsenal with two to play, though Sunderland and Manchester City both have games in hand.

Chelsea (4-4-2): Hedvig Lindahl, Hannah Blundell, Niamh Fahey, Gilly Flaherty, Claire Rafferty (Ana Borges 24), Eniola Aluko (Laura Coombs 87), Drew Spence, Katie Chapman, Gemma Davison, Fran Kirby, Ji So Yun (Millie Bright 73).

Substitutes not used: Marie Hourihan, Jenna Legg, Jodie Brett, Marija Banusic.

Notts County (3-4-3): Carly Telford, Laura Bassett, Amy Turner, Alex Greenwood, Aileen Whelan (Danielle Buet 62), Leanne Crichton (Ashleigh Plumptre 80), Desiree Scott, Sophie Walton, Rachel Williams, Ellen White, Jess Clarke.

Substitutes not used: Siobhan Chamberlain, Alice Hassall, Laura-Jayne O’Neill.

Attendance: 883

Referee: Ryan Atkin