Our Top 4 Players to watch across Tier 3

Millie Ravening – Stoke City Women

Photography by Liam Sheasby

Stoke City Women FC’s electric attacker Millie Ravening has been nothing short of outstanding this season. Currently one of the division’s most feared midfielders, with a red-hot tally of 26 goals so far this season, it is hard to believe that she is only 23 years old! Her side currently sit in third place in the league and a great deal of this can be put down to Ravening’s goals.

Originally from Middleton she began playing football with a boys side called Chadderton End Boys. Having quickly impressed here, she joined Manchester United Women’s academy aged just seven years old. After six years in red, she made the switch to blue and signed for Manchester City Women. Five years at City helped to shape Ravening into the gritty and determined player that we see today.

After having played for City’s U21 side, Ravening decided to transition into adult football and joined Tier 3 side Burnley Women FC. An impressive 3-year stint at the club saw her net 60 goals in total and earn accolades such as joint top scorer in the Northern Premier Division (with a total of 18 goals in 22 games) and Burnley’s Player of the Season. She also demonstrated remarkable maturity for her age in being named Burnley Women FC’s vice-captain.

Now at Stoke, she continues to impress with her strength and thunderous shots making her the enemy of every keeper in the division. Her standout attribute has to be her remarkable free kicks however - a 35-yard screamer against her former club Burnley in the FAWNL Cup quarter-final booked her side a place in the semi finals.

She went on to finish as the top scorer in the FAWNL Cup this season having scored 8 goals, including a stunning hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Liverpool Feds. Despite Stoke slipping to defeat against Nottingham Forest Women FC in an enthralling cup final, Ravening’s sublime performances throughout the tournament cemented her as a player to watch.

Off the pitch, she balances her footballing career with a full time job as a PE Teacher. She has expressed huge footballing ambition stating that she would one day like to play Champions League football. After the standout season that she has had at Stoke, there is no reason why this dream could not one day become a reality!

Elise Stocking – Sporting Khalsa Women

Photography by Liam Sheasby

Stepping up to Tier 3 is a big ask for any side but Sporting Khalsa Women FC needn’t have worried with their summer signing of teenage goalkeeper Elise Stocking between the sticks. While goals may win games, clean sheets are crucial in maintaining Tier 3 status and there is no doubt that Elise Stocking is one of the most promising keepers in the league.

The teenager, currently on loan at Sporting Khalsa from Wolves Women FC, has played an integral role in helping the newly-promoted side secure their Tier 3 status, with them sitting in 8th place, a comfortable 14 point cushion between them and the drop.

She began to really demonstrate her promise in the 23/24 campaign where she became an important player for Wolves Women Reserves. For the reserves, she managed a total of 22 appearances and narrowly missed out of the league’s golden glove after securing 8 clean sheets in 18 league appearances.

Her highlight of this season undoubtedly came in December however. At just 16 years old, Elise Stocking was called up to make her first team debut in the second half of an Adobe Women’s FA Cup tie between Wolves and Hull City Women. Even under this immense pressure, she shone. After having kept a clean sheet in her half, Wolves boss Dan McNamara hailed her as “an unbelievable talent in goal,” and her recent form shows just how she is living up to this praise.

Having made an impressive 21 appearances this season so far for Khalsa, Stocking has secured a starting spot in net. Her pinpoint distribution, excellent reflexes and growing command of her area show just why she is one of the most exciting keepers in this league and truly a player to keep your eye on.

With so much time ahead of her to develop, and an impressive amount of Tier 3 experience already under her belt, there is no telling just how far Elise Stocking can go within the women’s game.

Sophie Peskett – Ipswich Town Women

Photography by @thoughtsofawing

It’s not often you see a player dominate an entire league campaign quite like Sophie Peskett has this season. At just 22 years old, the Ipswich Town winger has hit dazzling heights, guiding the Tractor Girls to a long-awaited promotion to the Women’s Championship with a season packed full of goals, assists, and jaw-dropping performances.

Already a fan favourite, Peskett reached a major milestone in March when she made her 100th appearance for the club, having been with Ipswich since the summer of 2019. Her rise has been nothing short of remarkable – from becoming the club’s first fully professional female player at the age of 18 in 2021, to fending off interest from top-tier clubs and pledging her future to the Blues.

Last season, she was a standout star, racking up 12 goals and 20 assists, earning her the Ipswich Town Player of the Season and the FAWNL Southern Premier Division Player of the Year. But somehow, she’s taken it to another level this year.

Peskett is currently the league’s top scorer with 26 goals, adding eight assists to her name and smashing last season’s goal contribution tally. Her influence has been relentless – she picked up an astonishing 10 Opposition Player of the Match awards, meaning she stood out in just under half of her games, a stat that underlines just how unplayable she’s been.

The winger made a statement from the very start, scoring twice in the opening match, and finishing August with eight goals and eight assists, earning her Ipswich’s Player of the Month. Her performances haven’t just been consistent – they’ve been electric. She’s recorded three hat-tricks this season, including one in an 11-0 demolition of MK Dons, where she scored a staggering six goals.

Despite her goal tally, Peskett’s game is about more than just finishing. She’s tireless off the ball, a relentless presser, and always ready to track back, a true team player whose work rate is as impressive as her pace and flair.

Her comeback story makes her success even sweeter. In the 2021/22 season, she suffered a torn ACL that kept her sidelined for 410 days. Many might have taken time to rebuild – not Peskett. Since her return in November 2022, she’s gone from strength to strength, culminating in her most complete season yet – all while graduating in October 2024 with a first-class degree from the University of Suffolk.

Her goal in Town’s first league match at Portman Road in March 2024 was a fitting moment for a player who’s done so much to elevate the club. And when they needed her most, she delivered again this season, scoring a crucial goal against AFC Bournemouth to send Ipswich through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup early in December.

As Ipswich Town Women make the leap into the Championship, there’s no doubt that Sophie Peskett will continue to light up the pitch and keep up the pace with the talent of tier 2. Blisteringly quick, fiercely committed, and endlessly talented, Peskett is taking the Tractor Girls to new heights!

Emily Donovan – AFC Wimbledon Women

Photography by @markthewomble

Stepping up to Tier 3 is no small feat, but AFC Wimbledon Women have had no shortage of leadership and experience in the heart of their midfield thanks to Emily Donovan. Now in her fourth season with the Dons, Donovan has been a key figure in their continued rise — from playing a pivotal role in their promotion campaign last year to helping them retain their place in the fiercely competitive Southern Premier Division this season.

The former Yeovil Town midfielder has brought a wealth of experience since joining in 2021. Donovan, who helped Yeovil earn promotion to the WSL earlier in her career, has also had spells with Lewes in the Championship and proudly represented Team GB at the World University Games. It’s no surprise, then, that her footballing intelligence and calmness under pressure have been such a major asset for Wimbledon.

Last season, her standout performances saw her voted Players’ Player of the Year and this year her shining form has continued, picking up five Opposition Player of the Match awards – a clear sign of her influence across the pitch. Her contribution didn’t just end with the promotion; she has continued to be ever-present, starting every single league game and playing a key role in securing a 7th place finish – keeping Wimbledon’s place in Tier 3 intact.

December was a month to remember for Donovan. She not only picked up the Club Player of the Month award, but also scored a crucial winning goal against Gwalia United, receiving back to back player of the match awards in the same month. Early in the season saw Donovan help book AFC Wimbledon a place in the Second Round Proper of the Women’s FA Cup. Her thunderous strike against Billericay Town is also in contention for Don’s Goal of the Season, and she’s one of just four nominees for the Club’s Player of the Year, a symbol of the recognition for a season full of consistency and clutch performances.

Off the pitch, Donovan juggles football with a demanding role as Senior Health and Wellbeing Manager at Brentford FC’s Community Trust, highlighting the often-unseen reality of life as a National League player as her dedication extends far beyond the 90 minutes, embodying the work ethic and passion that has driven her from grassroots to the elite levels of the women’s game.

Donovan’s footballing journey began with the unwavering support of her family with her dad taking her everywhere whilst her mum ensured she was eating properly and sleeping well. That grounding, combined with her tireless drive, continues to fuel her performances week in, week out.

With her mix of experience, leadership, and match-winning moments, Emily Donovan has undoubtedly become one of the most influential midfielders in Tier 3. As the Dons look to build further next season, all eyes will be on Donovan to once again lead the charge.