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Thursday, February 5, 2026

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Barclays WSL2

Charlton Athletic Women maintained their unbeaten record and leadership of the Barclays Women's Championship with

a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon.

The Addicks, managed by Karen Hills, extended their remarkable run and sit five points clear at the summit after 13 matches.

The contest at Bramall Lane saw the hosts take an early initiative, with Joy Ralph forcing a fine save from Sophie Whitehouse

inside the opening two minutes. Charlton’s defence, anchored by Glória Siber and Elisha N’Dow, stood resolute throughout the first half, repelling several threats.

Sheffield United broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Amy Andrews rose to head home Abbie Lafayette’s left wing cross. The visitors responded strongly, with Charlotte Newsham testing Sian Rogers from range before Lucy Fitzgerald restored parity on the stroke of half time, hooking in Karin Muya’s header to level proceedings.

The second period saw Charlton push for a winner, with efforts from Jodie Hutton, Katie Bradley, and Mary McAteer drawing smart stops from Rogers. Whitehouse remained a pillar at the other end, denying powerful strikes from the Blades. Despite late pressure, the spoils were shared, keeping Charlton’s promotion charge firmly on track.

Birmingham City produced a devastating second half display to overwhelm Nottingham Forest 5-1 at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, closing the gap on leaders Charlton to three points. The Blues dominated early with their high press but led only 1-0 at the interval, thanks to Veatriki Sarri’s deflected 22nd minute opener. Forest then equalised on the stroke of half time through Joy Omewa.

After the restart, Birmingham exploded into life. Wilma Leidhammar headed in Sarri’s cross just two minutes in for her second goal in two games. Lotta Lindström then took centre stage, netting a remarkable hat-trick in the space of six minutes from the 72nd onwards to make it 3-1, 4-1, and finally 5-1. Shannon Cooke, Lily Crosthwaite, and Shanade Hopcroft all contributed to the late surge. Océane Hurtré struck the crossbar in stoppage time as the hosts finished emphatically.

Bristol City secured a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Sunderland on Saturday evening, with Jessie Gale’s first half brace laying the foundations. Lauren Bryzykcy marked her debut in goal with a clean sheet, replacing the injured Fran Bentley. The Robins struck early when Rio Hardy teed up Gale for a close range header. Gale doubled the lead six minutes before the break, finishing superbly after Sophie Ingle’s pass.

The second half remained controlled and substitute Lexi Lloyd-Smith sealed the points on 82 minutes with a composed finish after cutting inside. The result strengthens City’s push near the top.

Southampton bounced back from defeat with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, powered by Ellie Brazil’s first career hat-trick.

Brazil opened the scoring with a close range tap in from Michaela McAlonie’s cross, then added a calm second after a left sided delivery. Palace pulled one back just before half time through Ashleigh Weerden’s dipping cross-shot past Fran Stenson.

The second half remained competitive, but Brazil completed her treble in the closing stages, finishing calmly after Chloe Peplow and Tegan McGowan combined to set her up. Stenson’s late heroics preserved the lead and a win which lifts Saints to fifth in the table, one position behind their opponents.

Newcastle United were denied a first win of 2026 in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Gateshead International Stadium. Beth Lumsden marked her 50th appearance for the Magpies by giving them the lead with a stunning long range lob over Natalia Negri after a neat one-two with Jordan Nobbs. Ipswich levelled late in the first half through Sophie Peskett’s calm finish on the counter.

The second period saw Newcastle dominate possession but struggle to create clear chances as the visitors made the long journey home with a valuable point under their belts. Anna Tamminen preserved the point with a stunning injury time save to deny Rianna Dean when one-on-one.

Durham Women claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Portsmouth at Maiden Castle thanks to a stoppage time penalty. Pompey took the lead early in the second half when Tia Primmer tapped in at the back post but Durham responded in the 56th minute as Mollie Lambert won possession and teed up Beth Hepple to equalise.

The decisive moment came in the 94th minute when Grace Collinson was fouled in the box and Lucy Watson stepped up to convert the resulting penalty emphatically into the top corner, securing all three points for the Wildcats.

Leading goalscorers:

7 - Rio Hardy (Bristol City);

7 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);

7 - Veatriki Sarri (Birmingham City);

6 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);

6 - Jessie Gale (Bristol City/Portsmouth);

6 - Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City);

6 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland);

5 - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest);

5 - Ellie Brazil (Southampton);

5 - Meg Hornby (Portsmouth);

5 - Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace);

5 - Jodie Hutton (Charlton Athletic);

5 - Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace);