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Weekend Highlights: Chatham Stumble, Rovers Surge, Lightning Triumph, Norton Fight On
The key results of the week, read on to hear our take on the four biggest games of the weekend
KEY RESULTS
2/12/20254 min read
Photography by @eexposhaww
Leaders Chatham lose at Norwich, Rovers keep their foot on the gas, Lightning win over rivals and Norton & Stockton keep survival hopes alive
Norwich City Women 2-1 Chatham Town Women (Division One South East )
In a clash with much at stake, the Canaries overcame league leaders Chatham Town with Holly Kennard scoring 2 to dent title hopes for the visitors and ignite a dream for the home side.
Both Norwich City and Chatham came out the blocks firing with both goalkeepers called into early action. However, it was the Canaries who struck first as Kennard’s header was fumbled over the line by goalkeeper Simone Elegon, putting the home side ahead as momentum seemingly surged up a one way street. Norwich had chances to increase their advantage but Town’s keeper Elegon remained up to the task.
The away side grew into the game as it endured and crafted a well-worked angled header from a corner to equalise as the final 20 minutes approached. Nevertheless, the Canaries immediately hit back with 10 minutes on the clock as Kennard was slotted through by Freya Symonds, with her shot rattling in off the post.
After picking up a point to fellow promotion rivals Real Bedford last weekend, City are in fine form heading into the last 2 months of the campaign, currently sitting just 2 points off leaders Chatham and so they will hope results go their way if they are to conjure a surge for the title in what remains of the season.
Southampton Women 0-5 Bristol Rovers Women (Division One South West )
Bristol Rovers Women kept up their fine run of form with a 5-0 victory against Southampton Women taking them just 3 points adrift of Worthing and Swindon Town, having played 2 and 3 games respectively less than their rivals. With Southampton sitting bottom of the table with zero points it was a must win game for the Gas Girls and they sure delivered, looking to secure a 2nd place finish in the league.
Rovers set the pace of the game within just 30 seconds thanks to a fine finish from Nia Rees which flew into the top corner, immediately settling any pre-match nerves. The away side’s early dominance was further rewarded with a headed goal from Emily Bayliss to double their advantage and the goals soon came in a flurry as top scorer Megan Jarvis, and then Bayliss again put the Gas Girls 4-0 up heading into the break.
Captain and Player of the Match Rianne Bourne-Hallett topped off an all round wonderful performance from the away team, volleying the ball into the goal to round off a five star and five goal triumph. The girls will hope to keep building momentum as they face Keynsham Town in midweek action later today.
Northampton Town 0-1 Loughborough Lightning (Division One Midlands)
In this tense top of the table clash between highflying Northampton Town and Loughborough Lightning who boast unbeaten league form, it was Lightning who came out on top as they managed a crucial one nil victory away from home.
With Northampton coming into the game placed 2nd in the Division One Midlands table and with Loughborough having beaten Solihull Moors 2-0 in their previous fixture, both teams would have felt optimistic at the chance of claiming points. The game started evenly with Northampton’s Kim Farrow finding herself through on goal, but her shot was well held by Loughborough’s keeper Alicia Grimmond.
It was Loughborough’s number ten Jess Collyer who broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after a fantastic run saw her fire a shot into the top corner leaving the crossbar reverberating. Despite Lightning having the advantage, Northampton were far from out of the game, and Farrow again came close when her free kick from over 25 yards whistled past the post.
As we moved towards the end of the half, it was again Farrow who threatened with her shot outside the box being well-saved by Grimmond. The second half saw Lightning make two changes in the first 10 minutes with two defenders Kenzy Collingbourne and Georgia Hewitt brought on to close out the one nil advantage. Lightning continued to defend resolutely with Northampton pushing to find a way through and home side thought they had found an equaliser from a free kick but Alyx Mill’s effort was deemed offside.
Loughborough Lightning claimed all three points continuing their march towards the top of Division One Midlands. All eyes will be on their fixture tomorrow against Peterborough United at the Loughborough University Stadium!
Norton & Stockton Ancients 2-2 Huddersfield Town Women (Division One North)
Norton & Stock Ancients gained a valuable point against 5th placed Huddersfield Town Women, overcoming a 2 goal deficit against Glen Preston’s side preventing Town’s search for their first win of 2025. Recent weeks have seen The Ancients defeat 6th placed Durham Cestria in the County Cup, alongside drawing to relegation rivals Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-1, showing a slight run of form that is further reinforced by this week’s result and crucially their unbeaten start to 2025.
Huddersfield’s Charlotte Stuart gave the away side the advantage in the 30th minute following a lovely delivery from Yasmin Mason which fell perfectly to Stuart to slot home. 1-0 up at the break, Town nearly immediately doubled the deficit with Caz Simone’s powerful effort deflected just wide. Shortly after, Simone’s cross was headed in by Stuart who grabbed her second of the game putting Huddersfield in a strong position. Nonetheless, such a position was shortlasting as Ruby Forster pulled one goal back for her side following a Bianca Owens free kick. A frantic few minutes saw Norton’s Georgia Rae sent off for dissent leaving the home team a player down, as well as a goal behind too. Nevertheless, defying all odds Owens converted a 73rd minute penalty to bring The Ancients level in the game with the ball striking Serena Fletcher’s arm in the penalty area.
Able to see the tie out as a draw, such a point may be vital in their bid to prevent relegation. Their clash against bottom side AFC Flyde on the 23rd February will definitely be one to keep an eye on as The Ancients hope to secure survival in tier 4, currently sitting just 1 point above the drop zone.
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