Ascent Soccer Academy have taken charge of the NBM Women’s Premiership after a commanding 5-1 victory over Rumphi Sisters at Ascent Ground on Wednesday.
The result, in the only midweek fixture, takes Ascent to four points from two matches and sends them to the top of the Week 2 standings, one point ahead of Civil Service Women.
Civil Service Women, however, have played only once and could reclaim top spot when they return to action, while FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women and Silver Strikers Ladies also have three points from one game.
For Ascent, Wednesday’s victory represents a strong response after they opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against MDF Lioness. They are now the only team in the top five to have played two matches while remaining unbeaten.
Leticia Chinyamula put Ascent ahead in the 10th minute after being set up by Mayamiko Mkandawire, but Rumphi levelled seven minutes later through an own goal when Maureen Kenneth’s back pass to goalkeeper Patricia Kachepa was not controlled and rolled into an empty net.
Mkandawire restored Ascent’s lead in the 40th minute with a stunning finish after receiving the ball from Kenneth around 30 yards out. She drove forward, cut inside and curled the ball into the far top corner.
Ascent then pulled away after half-time, with Deborah Jere making it 3-1 just two minutes into the second half after Marium Mnenula’s cross caught goalkeeper Jane Nyirenda off her line.
Jean Fyson added the fourth in the 68th minute after being released by Maggie Chavula, before Chinyamula completed her brace in the 85th minute following a pass from Fyson.
Fyson was named Player of the Match as Ascent moved to four points, with six goals scored and two conceded from their opening two games.
The early table remains tightly packed, with Civil Service Women, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women, Silver Strikers Ladies and FACT Ladies all sitting within one point of the leaders, setting up an interesting battle as more teams enter their second matches.
