Super-sub Hazzana Parnell was the hero as her late double gave West Bromwich Albion a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in Sunday’s only FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division clash.
The game was deadlocked at 0-0 when Parnell entered the fray in the 65th minute but her well-taken goals ensured West Brom recorded just a second league win of the season.
Firstly, on 76 minutes, fellow substitute Abi Cottam whipped in a pinpoint cross from the left and Parnell fired into the corner before, with eight minutes remaining, the striker saw her initial shot saved by Amy Mullett in the Forest goal but was on hand to convert the rebound.
FA Women's Premier League
Northern and Southern Divisions
October 16, 2016
By Luke Baker
A lively game had seen both sides spurn plenty of chances before Parnell’s late show and West Brom head coach Craig Nicholls believes a half-time turnaround proved crucial.
“I’m really, really pleased,” said Nicholls. “In the first half we looked a bit flat and were lacking that energy we’ve had over the last few weeks.
“But we had a good chat at half-time about working harder all across the pitch and earning the right to win the game.
“Then in the second half we created plenty of chances and it was great when we took them.
"Hazzie [Parnell] is becoming a bit of a super-sub – that’s twice now we’ve put her on and she has scored with almost her first touch.”
There was also just one game in the Southern Division as Queens Park Rangers’ search for a first league win of the campaign goes on after they were put to the sword 7-0 by Swindon Town.
Swindon took the lead after just 13 minutes when Samantha Hallsworth nodded home Georgia Walters’ in-swinging corner before Amy Watham beat the offside trap on 22 minutes to tap in.
Watham then slid in Walters’ low cross before half-time, Hallsworth added a fourth with a clinical finish after the break and Sandy Abi-Elias made it 5-0 with a rebound finish.
There was still time for Ellie Maynard to find the top corner from 30 yards before Watham ensured it was a magnificent seven two minutes from time as she completed her hat-trick.
Sunday also saw a number of FA WPL Cup second-round matches being contested with an all-Southern Division clash between Charlton Athletic against C & K Basildon one of the highlights.
Kit Graham’s hat-trick was eventually enough to see the high-flying Addicks through 3-2.
Graham fired a 19th-minute free-kick past Nikita Runnacles before slotting home when one-on-one four minutes later.
Zoe Rushen’s exquisite lob brought Basildon back into the contest but Graham rose highest to nod home Katie Flack’s cross and complete her treble, ensuring that Hannah Porter’s late finish from Karissa Rodney’s pull-back was little more than consolation for the visitors.
Northern Division high-flyers Middlesbrough suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat away to Hull City despite Emma Foster’s goal, while Derby County edged the all-Northern Division tie against Stoke City 2-1 after extra-time.
The FA WPL Plate also saw action on Sunday as Bradford City beat Crewe Alexandra 6-0, Leicester City downed Rotherham United 6-1 and Huddersfield Town edged a thriller against Guiseley Vixens 5-4 on penalties following a 4-4 draw after extra-time.
