WPL Update & Match Report - Milton Keynes Falcons 1 - Widnes Wild Women's Team 1

Goalmouth action from the game between Milton Keynes and Widnes
Photo by Lucy McGill Photography

The Widnes Wild women’s team took a step closer to securing the runners up spot in the Women’s Premier League with a close- fought 1-1 draw away at Milton Keynes Falcons.

Looking for revenge over the only team to have beaten them at home this season, the Wild women had the upper hand in the first period – outshooting their hosts by more than 2 to 1 but were unable to make a breakthrough.

Milton Keynes eventually scored first during a more evenly balanced second period with their only goal of the game coming from Sarah Carter at 35.53 (asst Kirsten Noble).

Despite battering the MK goal again in the third period, it took until 53.36 for Widnes to find the back of the net when Abi Culshaw picked up from Catherine Bowen Fell to slot in a well-deserved equaliser.

Penalty calls on both sides made the last few minutes interesting and Widnes had a powerplay opportunity in the last 2 minutes of the match but were unable to force in that all-important game winning goal.

Sharing the points means that the Widnes women’s team are not yet assured of finishing in second place as both they and MK still have a game to plays.



Action photo from Chelmsford Cobras' 6-4 home win over Whitley Squaws
Photo by Steve Sutherland www.icecoldphoto.co.uk

Streatham Storm, however will not be overtaking them as they drew their final game of the season 1-1 away at Nottingham Vipers and finish up with 16 points from their 14 games.  They are currently in 3^rd but could be overtaken by MK if they win their last game of the season at home to champions Swindon Top Cats next weekend.

That draw was Nottingham’s third of the season and the first time they have gone unbeaten in back to back fixtures all year.  

As expected, Swindon Top Cats secured the league title after their 9-0 shut out of Slough Phantoms ensured they couldn’t be caught by any of the chasing pack with games in hand. Player coach Rebecca Osman top scored with 3+2 and netminder Gemma Davies kept out all 30 shots she faced. They are unbeaten in all their 13 league season but face a tricky away trip to Milton Keynes for their last game of the campaign. 

Chelmsford Cobras pulled themselves briefly off the bottom of the table with a closely fought 6-4 win over Whitley Squaws. This was only their 2^nd win of the season and brought to an end a run of 6 consecutive defeats. However, Nottingham Vipers’ 1-1 draw at home to Streatham Storm later in the day saw them leapfrog the Cobras up into 7^th place.