Barclays WSL2 
Birmingham City clinched the Barclays WSL2 title and promotion back to the Barclays Women’s Super League with a commanding 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Wilma Leidhammar was the star of the show, heading Birmingham into a deserved lead on 27 minutes from an Océane Hurtré cross. She added her second shortly after the break, reacting sharply to a loose ball from another Hurtré corner. A disciplined defensive effort and a vital late save from Lucy Thomas ensured the clean sheet and sparked jubilant celebrations as the Blues confirmed their return to the top flight.
Defeat for long-time leaders Charlton means that Crystal Palace joined Birmingham in earning promotion, after storming to a 6-1 victory over Portsmouth at the VBS Community Stadium. Goals from Molly Sharpe, Ashleigh Weerden (2), Kirsty Howat, Annabel Blanchard and Elise Hughes sealed a dominant display and an immediate return to the Barclays Women’s Super League after having been relegated at the end of last season. Palace finished second on goal difference behind title winners Birmingham.
Bristol City finished their season strongly with a 4-0 win at Sheffield United. Rio Hardy opened the scoring before Lexi Lloyd-Smith netted a hat-trick to claim the WSL2 Golden Boot with eleven goals during the season. The Robins ended the campaign in fourth, as the league’s top scorers with 47 goals.
Southampton meanwhile signed off with a 3-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest. Michaela McAlonie scored after just 40 seconds, Megan Collett added a second before half time, and Mary Bashford completed the scoring. The result secured a fifth-placed finish in their first season under Simon Parker, with the bonus of Emma Harries making a long-awaited substitute appearance after initially having been ruled out for the season.
Durham Women ended a difficult campaign on a high, defeating local rivals Newcastle United 1-0 thanks to an Amber Stobbs goal shortly before half time, latching onto a long ball forward before lobbing home to give her side a result which sees them finish a comfortable eight points off the bottom.
Ipswich Town rounded off their first season in the league with a 2-1 win over Sunderland. Ava Baker opened the scoring, with Eleanor Dale equalising for the visitors, before substitute Lucy Ashworth-Clifford set up Kenzie Weir for a late winner.
Leading goalscorers:
11 - Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City);
10 - Rio Hardy (Bristol City);
9 - Amy Andrews (Sheffield United);
8 - Mary Bashford (Southampton);
8 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);
8 - Jessie Gale (Bristol City/Portsmouth);
8 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);
8 - Megan Hornby (Portsmouth);
8 - Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace);
8 - Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace);
7 - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest);
7 - Wilma Leidhammer (Birmingham City);
7 - Veatriki Sarri (Birmingham City);
7 - Ashleigh Weerden (Crystal Palace);
