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Gwalia United debutante nets hat-trick as 2026/27 FA WNL gets underway Read more about how debutante Esme Kilburn-Thompson netted a hat-trick for Gwalia United in the FA Women's National League as the 2026/27 season got underway.  Debutante Esme Kilburn-Thompson netted a hat-trick for Gwalia United and Dartford scored a magical first goal in the FA Women's National League as the 2026/27 season got underway. All 72 teams were in action across the country as the new season kicked off in style. There were a number of victories for newly promoted sides as Chesterfield, Wycombe Wanderers and Saltdean United were amongst those who picked up three points. There were wins for familiar faces too as all sides began with fresh hope for the campaign ahead. Gwalia hit six for brilliant start Gwalia United scored the first goal of the season and shot to the top of Division One South West with a 6-0 win against Ascot United. With Gwalia looking to return to the Southern Premier Division at the first time of asking, Kilburn-Thompson scored three goals in 26 minutes and was joined on the scoresheet by Summer Jane Evans, Manon Pearce and Molly Kehoe, who claimed the first goal of 2026/27. Elsewhere in Division One South West, Moneyfields, who reached the promotion play-off last season, started their campaign successfully with a 4-0 victory over Maidenhead United, as Kaylee Buckingham scored twice. Newly promoted Wycombe Wanderers earned a first victory versus fellow promoted squad Torquay United 1-0, while Bridgwater United beat Bristol Rovers 3-0. Bournemouth Sports and Abingdon United got off to winning starts with 2-1 wins against Keynsham Town and Marine Academy Plymouth. Bees buzzing with winning start London Bees began their Division One South East season with a convincing 6-1 triumph over Stevenage, to take first place in the standings. Cambridge United are hot on their heels after a 4-0 win over Billericay Town. Dartford’s goalkeeper Jade Joy Charlton produced a heroic effort to rescue a point for the Darts on their FA WNL debut, scoring a late equaliser to rescue a point against Dulwich Hamlet 1-1. Saltdean United made their FA WNL debut count with a 1-0 win over Milton Keynes Dons and Queens Park Rangers defeated Luton Town by the same scoreline. Chatham Town and Actonians played out a thrilling 3-3 draw. U's start in style In the Southern Premier Division, Oxford United are the early leaders after a 4-0 win on the road, scoring four first half goals at Exeter City, while Swindon Town also put four past Plymouth Argyle for a 4-2 win. Jenna Markham’s goal for AFC Bournemouth was enough against AFC Wimbledon, and promoted Fulham began their third-tier tenure in style at home with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth. Real Bedford took three points from their trip to Cheltenham Town, 3-1 victors in the end, while Hashtag United earned a point against Lewes in a 1-1 draw in East Sussex. Feds and Borough hit five Liverpool Feds and Rugby Borough both scored five to make emphatic starts to the season in the Northern Premier Division. Feds beat Derby County 5-1 at home, while Rugby Borough pipped them to the top of the fledgling standings with a 5-0 win over Peterborough United. Norwich City started life in Tier 3 undefeated, after rallying for a point courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town. Boldmere St Michaels started the season at home victorious, 1-0 against Middlesbrough, and Hull City left it until the final 15 minutes of their match against Loughborough Lightning to clinch a 3-2 win. Stoke City controlled the first half, scoring twice, and held off West Brom to ensure a strong start for the Potters. Whites in the goals  Leeds United’s made a brilliant start to their Division One North campaign thanks to a 7-0 win over Thornaby. It was a statement result for the Whites but they are just one goal ahead of Stockport County at the top of the early table, as the Hatters beat Chester le Street Town 6-0. Norton & Stockton Ancients got past local rivals Durham Cestria 2-0 and AFC Fylde got three goals and three points against Halifax with a 3-1 win. Bradford City saw their 2-0 lead against Chorley vanish, but Ava Spencer-Smith’s second goal of the game secured a 3-2 win for the Bantams. Blackburn Rovers and York City fought to a 2-2 stalemate. Wythenshawe make winning start to Midlands life In Division One Midlands, Wythenshawe overcame Northampton Town 4-1 to jump into first place, ahead of Sporting Khalsa who took a 3-0 win from the opening weekend at the expense of Notts County. Chesterfield defended a slim lead through the second half to defeat Barnsley Women 1-0, and Kidderminster Harriers shared the spoils with Sheffield FC 1-1, afterOlivia Mitcham’s goal for the Harriers in the final 10 minutes. Leafield Athletic and Evangeline Gallop took three points in the final stages against Worcester City 3-2, and a 1-1 draw was settled between Sutton Coldfield Town and Lye Town.