Northampton Town Women returned to FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands action with a defeat away to Loughborough Lightning on Sunday afternoon.
The Cobblers’ opponents were relegated from the FAWNL Northern Premier Division last season.
Joint-managers Josh Oldfield and Liam Williams made three changes to the team that lost to Northern Premier Division side Stoke City in the FAWNL Cup determining round last week, as Vicky Barrett, Fay Noble and Ona Ndefo replaced TJ Warren, Mia Richards and Kim Farrow in the starting line up.
Loughborough controlled the opening stages and opened the scoring on the quarter-of-an-hour mark when Ferne Powell dribbled into the box on the right-hand side, cut inside and placed a left-footed shot past Katie McLean.
The Cobblers responded almost instantly as Ndefo picked the ball up on the edge of the area, beat a defender for strength and floated an effort across the face of goal.
Opportunities were few-and-far between in a low-tempo contest played in hot conditions, Abbey Hately breaking into the visitors’ box and having a drive held by McLean on the half-hour.
The lead was doubled a few minutes later, Georgia Hewitt bearing down on goal and finding the bottom corner.
The final chance of the opening 45 minutes created in open play fell to the Cobblers as Noble’s effort from inside the D was blocked and the loose ball fell to Jade Bell, whose low effort from a tight angle was saved by the diving Alicia Grimmond.
Loughborough were awarded a penalty deep into first half added time, but McLean dived to her left to push away the spot kick and ensure the Cobblers’ deficit remained at two.
The advantage was extended early in the second period, Hannah Langford playing a deep corner back across goal and Lydia Tilbury-Henry smashing home from close range.
Loughborough attempted to control possession and restrict Cobblers attacks for the majority of the second half, the visitors unable to get on the scoresheet as they lost the inaugural meeting between the two teams.
Oldfield and Williams’ side host Solihull Moors in their third league fixture on Thursday. Kick-off at Fernie Fields Sports Ground is at 7:45pm, and tickets are available at ntfcdirect.co.uk and on the gate.
Cobblers: Katie McLean, Paige Ridley, Vicky Barrett, Ruby Heselden, Bianca Luttman, Fay Noble, Annie Villamartin, Beth Artemiou, Zoe Boote, Jade Bell, Ona Ndefo
Substitutes: TJ Warren, Laila Channell, Shannon Cain, Rhea Patel, Kitty Crouch
Photos: Clive Stapleton