With only a few matches remaining in the FA Women’s Premier League, Blackburn Rovers took their opportunity to go top of the Northern Division with a win at Leicester City.
In the Southern Division, Portsmouth beat C&K Basildon to prevent the Essex side from going top themselves, while the Northern Division’s bottom club enjoyed an emphatic 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Here is a round-up of how all the action unfolded on a busy day of FA WPL football.
NORTHERN DIVISION
There were crucial wins for the league’s bottom clubs, with Guiseley Vixens beating Nottingham Forest 6-0, and Wolves bettering Derby County 2-1, courtesy of a late Jen Anslow strike.
Anna Price had headed Wolves in front before Andi Bell equalised for Derby, but Anslow’s weaving run and finish at the death ensured that Wolves stayed ahead of the Vixens.
Emily Heckler put the Vixens in front against Forest, but then it was the Nikki Berko show, who netted five times in a remarkable performance.
It was a memorable win for the Vixens moving them to within a point of both Wolves and West Brom.
Blackburn were forced to come from behind to win at Leicester and move ahead of Middlesbrough at the top.
Rosie Axten’s early strike put the Foxes in front, but Natasha Flint responded from the penalty spot.
Leigh Dugmore put the home side ahead once more, but two goals in three minutes from Saffron Jordan and Flint completed the second-half comeback.
Elsewhere in the Northern Division, Stoke City earned a 3-1 win over Fylde.
Ashleigh Hayes set the Potters on their way with a goal after just three minutes, before Danielle Young equalised for the visitors.
Hannah Keryakoplis restored Stoke’s lead in first-half stoppage time and Beth Roberts added a third on 81 minutes.
SOUTHERN DIVISION
A Daisy McLachlan double gave Portsmouth a 2-1 win over C&K Basildon and stopped the visitors from moving top of the Southern Division.
Angela Addison pulled a goal back for Basildon, but they couldn’t find an equaliser against a resolute Pompey outfit.
It was a bad day for clubs at the bottom of the league, with QPR, Cardiff City and Gillingham all succumbing to defeat.
Chichester City scored three second-half goals to beat QPR 3-0, with Laura Ingram, Jess Lewry and Alex Collingham the scorers.
Coventry United went one better, putting four past Cardiff.
Helen Dermody set them on their way and goals from Maz Gauntlet, Stephanie Smith and Jess Lundie followed.
In the Southern Division’s other game, Lewes recorded a 2-0 win over Gillingham.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Blackburn edged a five-goal thriller at the Farley Way Stadium beating Leicester 3-2.
The two sides started the day just a point apart in second and third place, with Leicester twice leading their visitors.
Natasha Flint scored twice and as Blackburn piled on the pressure, her glorious finish into the top corner sealed the win for the away side and sent them top.
MANAGER OF THE WEEK
Glen Preston oversaw Guiseley Vixens 6-0 hammering of Nottingham Forest, which lifted the Northern Division’s bottom club to within one point of the two side’s above them.
After beating Bradford City in the County Cup during the week, Preston’s players made it two wins on the bounce, with Berko grabbing five goals.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Daisy McLachlan’s second goal for Portsmouth was quite spectacular, an overhead kick from the edge of the area.
Her strike found the top corner of the net and it proved to be the winning goal against C&K Basildon.
