Northampton Town Women began their second ever season in Tier 4 with a 2-1 win at home to Peterborough United at Fernie Fields Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Alex Dicks and Jade Bell scored the Cobblers’ goals as they defeated their rivals in front of an attendance of 322 on the opening day of the new FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands campaign.
The victory completes a highly successful weekend for the club as a whole, following on from the Under 18s’ 3-0 EFL Youth Alliance Cup southern section first round win away to Forest Green Rovers and the men’s first team’s dramatic 1-0 success at home to the Posh on Saturday.
The Cobblers dominated the first half, threatening early on as Kim Farrow’s hooked effort from Annie Villamartin’s low corner was clawed off the line by Neive Corry.
Bianca Luttman’s free-kick was spilled by the ‘keeper, Villamartin kept the move alive and Ruby Heselden found Laila Channell who fired over a few minutes later.
The hosts continued to create chances as Dicks played Bell through on goal, but Corry recovered to deny the striker as she attempted to round her.
The Cobblers deservedly opened the scoring on the quarter-of-an-hour mark, Dicks racing onto Katie McLean’s long ball and firing over the ‘keeper and into the roof of the net.
Bell doubled the lead on the half-hour, poking home a low cross after her initial effort was blocked.
The hosts came close twice more before the break, Bell aiming for the bottom corner but missing the target one-on-one and Dicks rounding Corry only for Lucie Mugridge to slide in and clear her low attempt on goal.
Peterborough responded early in the second half and began to put pressure on the Cobblers defence, but the first opportunity after the interval came at the other end. Dicks cut inside from the byline, beating her marker in the process, but another defender sprinted across to block her shot and Neive Corry was able to claim the ball.
The visitors were eventually able to halve the deficit after the hour, Katie Middleton receiving the ball on the edge of the area and finishing low across goal.
The hosts had to remain resolute in defence of their now one-goal lead, and they had a rare chance to restore their two-goal advantage when substitute Ona Ndefo sprinted down the right wing and cut the ball back to Villamartin. She shifted onto her left-foot but her shot from the edge of the box was held by the ‘keeper.
McLean was well-positioned to make a vital stop with two minutes of normal time remaining, denying Peterborough goalscorer Middleton as the ball fell to her at the far post.
The save was enough to secure three important points on the opening day.
Josh Oldfield and Liam Williams’ side host FAWNL Northern Premier Division outfit Stoke City in the League Cup determining round next week. The fixture will kick-off at 2pm at Fernie Fields Sports Ground and tickets will be available from ntfcdirect.co.uk or on the gate.
Cobblers: Katie McLean, Paige Ridley, Vicky Barrett, Bianca Luttman, Zoe Boote, Annie Villamartin, Kim Farrow, Ruby Heselden, Laila Channell, Jade Bell, Alex Dicks
Substitutes: Holly Mayfield, TJ Warren, Shannon Cain, Rhea Patel, Ona Ndefo