FAWNL Week Eleven El Lassico

After the initial El Lassico match, credit Jamie Gallon, saw Middlesbrough come out on top 4-1 against Durham Cestria in the FAWNL Cup Determining Round back in August, this past weekend saw the first league Lassico of the season with Boro once again hosting Cestria. 

Boro retained the bragging rights with a 3-0 win which keeps them top of Division One North, a point ahead of Chorley with a game in hand. Two goals from Millie Bell and one from Leanna Giles securing all 3 points in front of 298 fans at Stockton Town FC. 

Nikki Gears in the starting line up for Cestria, no Keira Skelton for Boro meant Grace Boyes joins a regular core of Ellen Turnbull, Lauren Robson, Leanna Giles, Sharna Wilkinson and Millie Bell.

Turnbull almost put Boro ahead in the first minute with what would've been her 4th of the season but hit her shot wide of the target. Abby Towers almost with two assists in the opening 15 minutes for Boro, firstly finding Leanna Giles who did well to control the ball but couldn't get a shot off before Cestria's full back put the ball out of play then 2 minutes later she played Ellen Turnbull through on goal but Mackain was quick out of the Cestria goal to get to the ball first.

Boro continued to build pressure, with Mackain cutting out a few crosses approaching the half way point of the first half. 25 minutes saw Ruby Cook in the Boro goal make her first save of the match as Cestria attempted to open the scoring. 

The home team got off the mark after half an hour. A free kick put into the box by Boro's September player of the month Lauren Robson found Millie Bell in the box who rose higher than anyone else to head home. The lead almost doubled two minutes later but Ellen Turnbull's effort hit the bar then just before the half time whistle Boro again hit the woodwork, this time Millie Bell following a Robson ball into the box. 

Almost an equaliser for Cestria just after the hour mark. Cestria's forward getting in behind the Boro defence and forcing a save from Cook. 

Into the last 10 mins, saves from Mackain denied chances for Armani Maxwell and Sharna Wilkinson to extend the lead before Bell doubled her tally for the day, connecting with a Robson corner, her downward header bounced over Mackain to make it 2-0. Leanna Giles wrapped it up a minute later, being the first to react to a Maxwell shot that came back off the post. 

An entertaining match by the sounds of it. The only highlights I've seen are the goals. Limited commentary on Cestria's social media hence the lack of detail here from their side of the match. They did mention the scoreline flatters Boro as they limited their chances however they took the chances they had. I've not seen enough of the match to agree or disagree. Eight consecutive home wins now for Boro. 

It's taken almost until November for someone in tier 4 to go ahead of Anna Soulsby in the golden boot race. Hopefully a speedy recovery for Anna. Top scorers as it stands:

Jessica Gillin (Cheadle) 8
Molly Wood (Chorley) 7
Kathryn Smith (Leeds United), Anna Soulsby (Cestria) & Amy Woodruff (Leeds United) 6
Katie Astle (York), Bianca Owens (Norton) & Jasmine Sexton (Doncaster) 5
Rachel Dunlop (Cheadle), Safron Newhouse (Chorley), Imogen Porteous-Williams (Cheadle) & Lauren Robson (Middlesbrough) 4.

Bridget Galloway's Nottingham Forest didn't play this weekend so a 6-0 victory for Wolves at home to Halifax sees them go 2 points clear at the top of the Northern Premier Division however Forest have a game in hand and are 13 goals better off. Going by her Instagram, Naomi Bedeau appears to be on the wayback from injury, welcome news. 

Erin Nelson came on as an 86th minute substitute for Stoke City in a 3-0 win over West Brom. A full 90 mins for Daisy Burt as Derby Count came away with a 2-4 away win against Hull City. This ends a 6 game losing streak for Derby which was proceeded by a 0-0 draw with Halifax, first win for Derby since a 2-1 home win against West Brom on 1st September. 

FA Cup action for Derby, Stoke and Forest this weekend, Mancunian Unity host super cup winners Stockport County in the FA Cup, Middlesbrough travel to Wythenshawe on the outskirts of Manchester and Cestria face fellow tier 4 side Norton & Stockton Ancients.