Weekend highlights: Bournemouth battle on, Hamlet’s heroes overcome Enfield, Posh power through and Middlesborough keep pressure on

Photography by Richardson's Photography

Division one South West - Bournemouth Battle on - Bournemouth Sports 2-0 Southampton women

Bournemouth Sports claimed just their fourth win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Southampton Women, lifting them to ninth in the table, just four points behind Maidenhead Town, strengthening their fight for survival. Meanwhile, Southampton remain rooted to the bottom of Division One South West with this week’s result confirming their relegation to Tier 5 next season. The club announced last week that manager James Lally had departed by mutual consent, however, it was far from an ideal start for interim coach Lee Hurrell, as his side once again struggled to find their footing.

Olivia Palmer’s brace secured a crucial three points for Bournemouth Sports, with the home side wasting no time—finding the net just 16 seconds in. Liane Folkenstern’s relentless pressing forced an error, leading to the ball ending up in the Sirens’ net. The lead was doubled in the 28th minute, once again thanks to Folkenstern’s pressure. She dispossessed a defender before setting up Katie Kingshott, whose shot was well saved, only for Palmer to pounce on the rebound and slot it home.

Southampton’s struggles deepened when they were reduced to ten players after a second yellow card, making an already difficult afternoon even worse.

Sunday also marked a first-team debut for Bournemouth’s newest signing, Milla Lewis, who recently joined from Fulham FC Women—an exciting young talent making her mark in the National League. With another win in the books, it’s safe to say March is quickly becoming Bournemouth Sports’ favorite month as they look set to to stay up in Tier 4!

Division One South East - Dulwich Dream on - Dulwich Hamlet 3-1 Enfield Town Ladies

Sunday saw Division One South East side Dulwich Hamlet secure a spot in the Capital Women’s Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Tier 5 club Enfield Town Ladies, who compete in the London & South East Regional Women’s League. Having been relegated from Tier 4 in the 2021/22 season, Hamlet knew their opponents would pose a tough challenge despite the difference in divisions.

Despite having a depleted squad, Dulwich dominated the game, showing their class against a very physical Enfield side and opened the scoring in just the 8th minute following an outstanding chipped effort from outside the box by Tash Stephens. Nerves were tested for the Hamlets just ten minutes later however, as Enfield equalised with their first opportunity of the game scoring directly from a Katie O’Leary corner.

Dulwich continued their relentless pressure and were subsequently rewarded in the 40th minute as Tia Searle followed up her effort that had previously hit the woodwork, to restore the home side’s advantage. The goals did not stop there nonetheless as captain Asia Harbour-Brown headed in emphatically from an inch-perfect Lily Price corner in the 68th moment , putting the hosts out of reach and within touching distance of a semi-final place.

Manager Ryan Dempsey had high praise for his team after a challenging week, stating, "The players bounced back and delivered a strong performance today.’Injuries and illness have really taken its toll on the players, but the 13 involved today were superb”.

Dulwich will look to build momentum in the league as they are set to face Queens Park Rangers on the 23rd March, with a win taking them above their competitors, before a semi-final clash against Tottenham Hotspur academy awaits on Easter Sunday!

Division One Midlands - Petersborough into County Cup Final - Wellingborough Women FC 0-5 Petersborough United Women

It was an East Midlands showdown in the semi-finals of the Northamptonshire County Cup as East Midlands Regional League leaders Wellingborough Women FC hosted Division One Midlands promotion contenders Peterborough United Women. In the end, it was a commanding victory for The Posh, one that was arguably always anticipated.

The visitors started brightly, with Jess Abrantes forcing an early save and Keira Perkins striking the crossbar from a tight angle after being played through on goal. Wellingborough had an early chance of their own but failed to find the target. The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute when Edyn Osker’s looping ball found Perkins, who squared it for Renai Bennett to fire past goalkeeper Erica Turner.

Perkins doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark, rounding the keeper and finishing with a slight deflection off a Wellingborough defender. Ella Bale made it three on 34 minutes, capitalising on a deflected shot from Abrantes, and just two minutes later, Rebecca Mears calmly slotted home a fourth from the centre of the box. Posh were in complete control, turning the match into a dominant display.

The momentum continued after the break, with Bale rounding off a five-star, five-goal performance by finishing from close range, her second of the afternoon.

Peterborough now set their sights on the County Cup final, where they will face a familiar opponent in Northampton Town who sit just one place below them in the league standings.

Division One North - Borough close gap - Middlesbrough 4-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients

Middlesbrough FC showed no signs of struggle as they cruised to a dominant 4-0 victory over Norton & Stockton Ancients, keeping pace with league leaders Cheadle Stingers. Now sitting second in the table, they trail only on goal difference by three with the remainder of the season poised for an exciting finish.

Borough’s Millie Bell opened the scoring for a consecutive week following a lovely corner delivery from Armani Maxwell, settling any early nerves within the home side as highlighted by Assistant Coach, Joe Lillie in a post-match interview. Nevertheless, Norton certainly grew into the game creating their own chances via multiple efforts from Bianca Owens, all which were well-saved by Borough’s keeper, Laura Wareham, to prevent the leveller.

The home side, in desperate search of that crucial second goal to dismiss any hope that was brewing amongst the away side, were rewarded again following a corner kick. After a scramble in the box with Norton throwing bodies in the way to block any shots direct goal-wards, it was Ellen Packham who steered the ball into the net putting the home side up two the good.

It didn’t take long for a third as Borough’s Jessica Mett beat the full-back in a one-on-one, playing a drag back into Leanna Giles who arrived in the box to fire low past the goalkeeper. The game was sealed after the home side found their fourth, again from a corner, as Norton failed to clear their lines completely allowing Maxwell to fire the ball into the goal with a fine finish from a tight angle.

Being their second successive four-goal victory, Borough seem not to be phased by the task to keep up with leaders Cheadle Stingers, whilst for Norton it’ll be a matter of ensuring there are no slip ups that risk their survival in the league.

With Middlesbrough and Stingers not scheduled to face each other in the remaining matches, the title race comes down to who stumbles first, or, if it all comes down to goal difference, who can rack up the most goals in the final stretch. The bid for promotion is set to go right down to the wire!