After starting the season with four wins and a draw, scoring 29 goals in the process, Northampton Town Ladies were looking to keep the unbeaten start going in the league, as well as getting through to the next round in the two cup competitions.
The Cobblers girls started October with a mid-week visit to Thrapston on a cold Wednesday evening, two first half goals for Emma Dunmore and one for Leah Stacey saw the Cobblers take a 3-1 lead at half time. Thrapston piled the pressure on but some resolute defending along with another goal from Leah Stacey saw the Cobblers run out 4-1 winners.
Next up was a trip to Desford, after a slow start to the game two goals from Emma Dunmore, as well as two stunning long range efforts from Leah Stacey along with another from Kellie Billenness saw the Cobblers 5-0 up at half time. The second half saw Leah Stacey complete a hat-trick of long range efforts as well as grabbing herself another, the other half of the Billenness family (Emma) scoring and another 5 goals for Emma Dunmore gave the Cobblers an emphatic 13-0 win.
Peterborough United were up next in the Northants FA Women’s Cup, a competition the Cobblers have reached the final of for the past two seasons
The two sides had played out a 3-3 draw in September, and this latest game started off evenly until Georgina Powell cut in from the right to have her shot deflected into the top corner, which was closely followed by a quick hat-trick from Emma Dunmore, one from the penalty spot, a flick on from a corner and a trade mark run and finish saw the Cobblers 4-0 up within 30 minutes.
Peterborough managed to secure themselves a series of corners, and it was from one of these that Cobblers broke away and got a 5th goal of the game with Leah Stacey volleying first time into the bottom corner from an Emma Dunmore cross, giving the Cobblers a 5-0 lead at half time. Peterborough responded in the second half pushing more players forward trying to find themselves a way back into the game. The Cobblers stood firm with Peterborough’s only real opportunity coming from a free kick which forced goalkeeper Daniel into pulling off a great save to keep a clean sheet. The game finished 5-0 and the Cobblers will face Rothwell Town on November 19th.
In the most recent game the Cobblers travelled to AFC Leicester, the girls started off well and within two minutes Emma Dunmore latched onto a through ball from Georgia Tear to round the keeper and give Town a 1-0 lead. This was closely followed by a goal from Leah Stacey, along with a 35 yard free kick from Hayley Matthews ensured a half time lead of 3-0. The wind caused issues during the game with Cobblers finding it difficult to play their passing football, but a second goal of the game for Emma Dunmore gav the Cobblers a 4-0 win in tough conditions.
Next up is the second round of the League Cup where the girls face Arnold Town from the Premier Division.
Image thanks to @PaulUk13