Hat-trick hero Ellie the best bar Nun
A DEBUT hat-trick for Ellie Dobson helped Newcastle United thump Nuneaton Town and lay down a marker in their quest for promotion into the Women’s Super League.
The 6-1 victory sent Newcastle straight to the top of the Northern Premier League and was sparked by Kate Brooks’ seventh-minute header.
Dobson then applied two poacher’s finishes before a wonderful scissor-kick brought up her third just before half-time.
Another debutant, Elizabeth Campbell, was also among the goals for the Lady Mags.
Derby County also got their season off to a fine start with a 2-1 victory over Guiseley Vixens, although they were run close by the newly-promoted side.
County were cruising at the break thanks to goals from Kate Lowder and Melissa Johnson, but visiting captain Aimi Beresford pulled one back to set up a nervy finish.
Loughborough Foxes were another promoted side to fall, this time at the hands of Blackburn as Lynda Shepherd’s half-volley clinched another tight game.
Leigh Dugmore’s first-half double inspired a 3-2 win for Sporting Club Albion, despite Bradford
City threatening a late comeback. Emily Heckler starred for Huddersfield by hitting a second-half hat-trick to secure a 3-3 draw with Stoke City, while Nottingham Forest also fought back from behind in a 2-2 draw at Preston.
Coventry United merged with Coventry City over the summer and their new era in the Southern Premier League kicked off with a bang with a 5-0 victory over West Ham.
Nikki Miles struck early on but the Hammers refused to crumble until the last 15 minutes when Maz Gauntlett, Helen Dermody, Amanda Whalley and Miles again all got on the scoresheet.
Brighton & Hove Albion were almost as impres
sive in a 4-0 victory against Forest Green Rovers, with Jay Blackie the spearhead.
She scored one and created one for Lucy Somes, either side of a Deanna Cooper strike, before Kirsty Barton rounded off the scoring.
Albion’s local rivals Lewes had to wait until the second half before they tore apart Plymouth
Argyle in a 4-1 victory. Kelly Newton and Sarah Carter netted shortly after the break before Cherelle Khassal popped up with two goals in nine minutes to add the gloss for Lewes.
Portsmouth lost out to Sheffield in the race for WSL 2 promotion last year but showed no hangover in their opening-day triumph over Cardiff – Shannon Sievwright with the only goal of the game.
Elsewhere, Tottenham celebrated victory at their new base in Cheshunt over Queens Park Rangers, while promoted C&K Basildon held Charlton to a 1-1 draw.