Peterborough United Women closed the gap at the top to two points – albeit with two games in hand – with a comfortable 3-0 win over Notts County.
County have had to learn the hard way against Jake Poole’s team twice already this season, and it continued in the same vein as Jess Rousseau’s double sent her side on the way to all three points in their 2026 opener.
Hayley James scored her second of the season, and despite the visitors throwing everything at us late on, we held on to make it 11 unbeaten in the FA Women’s National League Midlands.
In a tetchy opening 30 minutes with defences on top, it was Lauren Wilshaw and James who had the nose for goal. James’ shot was cleared behind for a corner, where the ball was put back into her reach in the second phase, which saw her shot go wide.
Rebecca Mears and Rousseau then threw caution to the wind, and both had the same luck when their efforts went wide, also.
But County regrouped and attacked quickly down the other end; Leah Hardy was squared in the middle, but Neive Connor was quick to close down the angle, in the end saving low down to her side.
It would have felt incredibly harsh to say the least, had the visitors taken the lead.
Posh’s application could not be questioned, who continued to work hard for the lead. And it came on 38 minutes, when ROUSSEAU swept home two yards from goal.
Poole’s team started to dominate the count from that point, and pulled themselves further ahead when JAMES beat Ash Hind with a powerful header. It must be said that Evie Driscoll-King should receive some credit for her work to create the goal.
Two minutes later, and ROUSSEAU made it 3-0. A low, confident shot from our number seven made its way past the County keeper to floor the visitors.
Poole turned to the bench to shore up the game, with Tara Kirk amongst those introduced as she continues to build up match fitness.
County looked to right their wrongs, though, putting Corry under late pressure, who held firm to claim her sixth clean sheet this season – the most in the league.
Posh: Corry, Driscoll-King, Connor (sub Clarke 63min, Pitt, James, Hines, Brown (sub Bennett 72min), Mears (sub Lawlor 72min), Wilshaw (sub Rai 72min), Rousseau (sub Kirk 72min), Perkins. Unused subs: Osker.
Half-time: Peterborough United Women 1-0 Notts County Women
Full-time: Peterborough United Women 3-0 Notts County Women