Champions Blackburn Rovers returned to winning ways with a thumping 4-0 victory against Derby County in the FA Women’s Premier League Northern League.
Blackburn were crowned FA WPL North champions two weeks ago and dropped points for just the second time this season last weekend against Leicester City.
But Ellie Cook’s first-half header set them on their way this weekend, before Ella Toone set up Saffron Jordan after the break with a mazy run and neat pass.
Toone scored two more in the second period, taking her personal tally to 20 this season, on a day of big scorelines across the division.
Bianca Owens scored twice as second-placed Middlesbrough beat Huddersfield Town 4-2.
Owens opened the scoring in style, bending in a shot with the outside of her right boot, before Em Scarr doubled it just before half time.
Huddersfield responded with two quick-fire goals, but Jess Havelock and another Owens stunner secured the points for the hosts.
Newcastle United’s tough season continued with a 4-1 defeat at Stoke City. Kate Asher scored twice to help Stoke pull away late on, while Millie Elson and Jamilla Palmer also scored.
Struggling Nottingham Forest suffered a 2-1 derby defeat to Leicester City, while Bradford City saw off West Bromwich Albion by the same scoreline.
In the Southern Division, Tottenham Hotspur edged closer to an unbeaten campaign as they beat Portsmouth 4-1 away from home.
Wendy Martin, Kelly Blanchflower and Bianca Baptiste put the visitors in control by half-time and, although Portsmouth battled hard after the break and scored through Gemma Hillier, Lucia Leon added a fourth to put gloss on the result.
Second-placed Charlton Athletic stayed within four points as they downed Lewes 2-0 on the road, as Gem Shepherd and Kit Graham scored.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace eased past C & K Basildon 5-0, while Coventry United and Cardiff City drew 2-2.
