Freya Thomas' second half strike fired Nottingham Forest into the semi-finals of the FA Women's National League Cup with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.
Loughborough Lightning missed out on progressing through to the FA WNL Plate semi-finals with a 3-0 loss to Manchester United Academy.
In the Adobe Women's FA Cup, Ipswich Town and Bristol Rovers both sealed their spots in the fourth round proper whilst the final day of league action of 2024 also took place.
FA WNL Cup and Plate quarter finals conclude
Nottingham Forest took one step closer to the FA WNL Cup final with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.
The Northern Premier Division leaders hit the front in the 15 minute through Charlie Wellings and led into the break before Middlesbrough bounced back to equalise from a Lauren Robson volley.
With 16 minutes remaining, Thomas put Forest back in front, firing home the winner after being on the receiving end of a pass across goal.
π pic.twitter.com/WYt5DiRaIa
β Nottingham Forest Women (@NFFCWomen) December 15, 2024
A day earlier, Stoke City sealed their place in the FA WNL Cup semi finals with a 1-0 win over Burnley.
An equal affair in the opening half, it was City's Millie Ravening who made the difference with a cannon of a free-kick from 35-yards out soaring over the Clarets 'keeper.
Loughborough Lightning fell 3-0 to Manchester United Academy in the quarter finals of the FA WNL Plate.
The Division One Midlands side were unable to overcome their visitors in a hard-fought performance and ultimately bowed out of the competition.
History made in Adobe Women's FA Cup
Bristol Rovers reached the fourth round proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup for the first time in their history with a 3-2 win away to Oxford United.
An opening goal from Meg Jarvis and a Daisy Ackermann double was enough to overcome their opposition and break new ground in the FA Cup.
History makers π@Official_BRWFC came out on top in a thrilling encounter to make the Fourth Round for the first time ever π#AdobeWomensFACup pic.twitter.com/AjZa2PY7WF
β Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) December 15, 2024
Ipswich Town also sealed their place in the next round with a 1-0 win at home against AFC Bournemouth.
The difference came from Sophie Peskett just minutes before the break, and the Tractor Girls held on for victory.
Both sides are rewarded with matches against Barclays Women's Super League sides, with Rovers facing Aston Villa while Ipswich are set to take on Manchester City.
Fylde shock Leeds
AFC Fylde produced a incredible 2-0 win over Leeds United to clinch just their third victory of the season.
Leeds sit third on goal difference in the Division One North table heading into the winter break but there was no early Christmas present as they fell to bottom of the table Fylde.
Despite being down to 10 for most of the second half, the visitors saw goals from Natasha Dale and Katie Bowers Folan hand them the win.
It was a similar tale for Doncaster Rovers Belles who forced a point against Division One North table toppers Chorley.
Belles might be frustrated after going ahead twice throughout the match but fought hard to gain a point.
βΉοΈ Full-Time | WHAT A RESULT AWAY FROM HOME! ππΌππΌ While also being down to 10 for most of the second half.
What a result going into the Christmas break. #BornToBeFylde | βͺοΈ0-2π‘β«οΈ pic.twitter.com/hpablzT5tr
β AFC Fylde Women (@FyldeWomenFC) December 15, 2024
Elsewhere, Durham Cestria got past Barnsley 4-0 and Cheadle Town Stingers capitalised on Chorley's draw with a 1-0 win over York City. Stockport County and Huddersfield Town drew 1-1.
Sports hold Swindon
In Division One South West, there was also an impressive draw for Bournemouth Sports as they kept title chasers Swindon Town to a goalless draw.
The point is enough to life Sports out of the relegation zone, as they leapfrog Portishead Town who lost 2-1 to Keynsham Town.
Worthing beat Southampton Women 3-1, with the Sirens remaining at the bottom of the table.
Elsewhere in the division, Bridgwater United clinched a 3-0 win over Maidenhead United and Moneyfields put four past table rivals Abingdon United.
Cobblers continue winning run
In Division One Midlands, Northampton Town made it 11 wins in a row to keep their place at the top of the table heading into Christmas.
The Cobblers edged past Worcester City 1-0 away from home, with Jade Bell once again on the scoresheet.
Their incredible winning streak sees them two points ahead of Peterborough United, who clinched a 10-1 win over Lincoln City in their final game of the year.
Posh saw nine different goalscorers, with only Renai Bennett netting twice, as they look to keep up the chase on leaders Northampton.
πJingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see the Cobblers win away!
πΈ @ultracobbler (Clive Stapleton).#ShoeArmy π pic.twitter.com/9BH8sjWhjy
β Northampton Town Women (@NTFCWomen) December 15, 2024
Leafield Athletic remain just a point behind Peterborough, after they fought past Barnsley 3-2.
Abbie Cowie's 89th-minute winner proved the difference, after Lucy Davies' double was twice cancelled out by Jodie Snelson and Misty Russell.
Lincoln United grabbed an important three points at the bottom with a 2-0 win over Solihull Moors, while Boldmere St. Michaels beat Sutton Coldfield Town 3-1.
Five of the best for Watford and Cheltenham
Watford and Cheltenham Town both put five goals past their opponents in the Southern Premier Division.
All five of Cheltenham's goals were scored in the first half en route to a 5-2 win over MK Dons, while Madison Perry netted her first goal for Watford in their 5-1 victory over Billericay Town.
Exeter City moved up to second with a 1-0 win over Lewes thanks to Sophie Gillies' strike, while AFC Wimbledon beat Gwalia United by the same scoreline.
All square in South East
Cambridge United were the only side to pick up all three points in Division One South East, with draws the order of the day across the rest of the division.
Bella Simmons and Sarah Wiltshire struck for the U's to lift them up to ninth, 12 points clear of the drop and level on points with the Canaries.
Leaders Real Bedford were held to a 2-2 draw at home to London Bees, but neither Chatham Town nor Actonians were able to take advantage as they played out a goalless draw.
Dulwich Hamlet drew 1-1 with London Seaward, while it was the same scoreline between Chesham United and Ashford Town and QPR and AFC Sudbury.