Here are the latest articles from our newsdesk. You can find older articles by using the search box at the top or bottom of the page.
Big Wins For North East Rivals
10/11/2008
FA TESCO PREMIER LEAGUE
NORTHERN DIVISION
Newcastle United 8-1 Curzon Ashton Newcastle United cruised into second spot in the Northern Divison, with an 8-1 crushing of Curzon Ashton for a sixth straight win. Melanie Reay (pictured) claimed a five-goal haul, with Ruth Sutcliffe, Rachel Furness and Stacy Crooks completing the rout.
OOH Lincoln 1-1 Preston North End Preston climbed off the foot of the table and out of the drop zone, with a fine 1-1 draw away to OOH Lincoln. The visitors were ahead after only 6 minutes, the unmarked Gemma Watson turning a cross past stranded keeper Kay Hawke. With 17 minutes played, Carla Ward ran into the path of a perfectly weighted long-ball over the top and headed home to level the score.
Although Lincoln dominated the second half, they were unable to penetrate as Preston defended in large numbers, who relied on hitting the home side on the break. Ward, Jodie Michalska missed chances to hit a winner and Stacey Aisthorpe crashed a shot against the bar.
"We are obviously very disappointed with the result today," admitted OOH Lincoln manager Rod Wilson. "We really needed a win to have a realistic chance of winning the title this season. We will now have to hope a few results go our way over the rest of the season, and do our best to get as many points as we can from our remaining matches."
Reading 1-2 Manchester City Manchester City's 2-1 win at Reading, achieved without five first team regulars, takes them back up to third. City scored from the spot on 12 minutes, a penalty won and converted by Sarah Penney.
A Becky Lee drive in the 70th minute saw City go two up. Reading scored from a Natasha Caswell penalty in the last minute, so proved to be only a consolation.
Sunderland 7-0 Tranmere Rovers Sunderland steam on at the top, with a 7-0 thrashing of Tranmere taking them seven points clear, despite missing four players away on England duty.
Gemma Wilson opened the scoring on 16 minutes from the edge of the area, after a corner was not cleared. Sunderland’s second came 6 minutes later, Sophie Williams sent clear to score at the second attempt. On the half-hour, Williams crossed for Demi Stokes to volley home off the underside of the bar. Two minutes later it was four as Nicola Devine broke clear and coolly slid the ball under the advancing Lisa Byrne.
The fifth goal arrived on 58 minutes, Williams beat Byrne to the ball and picked out Natalie Gutteridge for an easy finish. A Kelly McDougall brace followed in the last 12 minutes, the first a powerful header and after hitting the bar, Jordan Atkinson crossed for her second.
Sunderland Manager Mick Mulhern was delighted with the result: “It was an excellent team performance. We had a number of players missing out there but those who came in slotted in seamlessly, which just shows the strength of our squad."
Northern Division top scorers at November 9th 11 - Mel Reay (Newcastle Utd)
9 - Amanda Barr (OOH Lincoln)
9 - Jodie Michalska (OOH Lincoln)
9 - Sophie WIlliams (Sunderland)
8 - Natalie Gutteridge (Sunderland)
7 - Natalie Gibson (Aston Villa)
7 - Carla Ward (OOH Lincoln)
FA TESCO PREMIER LEAGUE