STUNNING WIN SENDS RAMS TOP IN STYLE
DERBY COUNTY rose to the summit of the Women’s Premier League North after a pulsating match with Blackburn Rovers. The Rams came from behind twice to secure a 43 win and leave them three points clear at the top.
Rovers were ahead after just two minutes when Sophie Jones’ shot eluded Rams keeper Sarah Morgan. But after 13 minutes Derby were level, setting the tone for a lively encounter. Melissa Johnson chipped the despairing Blackburn keeper, before Jones added a second after half an hour.
But in a frantic end to the half Derby hit back with two goals in two minutes, as Aimee Perry sent them level from a corner and Johnson struck a superb volley just before the break.
Aimee Perry added a fourth after 67 minutes, but Rovers reduced the deficit ten minutes later to ensure a nervy finish for the leaders.
Huddersfield swept aside
struggling Loughborough
Foxes 7-0, with Emily Heckler hitting a hat-trick for the Terriers, while Guiseley’s match at Newcastle and Bradford’s visit to Sporting Albion were postponed. In the Southern Premier,
Brighton are still yet to be beaten after an impressive 32 win against in-form
Portsmouth.
Kate Natkiel was on target after just seven minutes for Albion as she cut inside on the right and beat Michelle Beazley in the Portsmouth goal. But three minutes later Imi Umotong’s long-range strike levelled things up.
After the break Brighton stepped it up a gear and, after some frantic play in the box, Lucy Somes eventually bundled the ball home on 57 minutes.
Amy Taylor gave the leaders a two goal cushion later in the half, only for Portsmouth to hit back in stoppage time thanks to substitute Emma Sherwood’s late free-kick.
But Brighton held on for their 11th win of the season, leaving them four points clear at the top.
Cardiff City lie in second place despite slipping to a 30 defeat at home to
Coventr y United, thanks to three second half goals.
Cristina Torkildsen gave them the lead, before Helen Dermody scored twice in two minutes to secure the points for the visitors.
West Ham suffered once again, after their 8-1 thrashing by Charlton, as they surrendered a two goal lead against Lewes.
The visitors travelled with just 12 players due to an injury crisis, but the Hammers started well. Paige Anderson-James struck after 22 minutes thanks largely to a goalkeeping error from Holly Augustus.
And Romina Pinna then capitalised on some more questionable defending as her shot from 20 yards gave them a two goal cushion at the break.
But it was a late show from Lewes as defender Natasha Wells struck in the 81st minute. West Ham desperately tried to hold on to a muchneeded three points, but it was in injury time that the equaliser arrived, when a dangerous free kick was perfectly placed for Julia Louis-Joseph to smash the ball home in style and completing Lewes’ dramatic comeback.