Barclays WSL2
Charlton Athletic overturned a first half deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over Durham Women at Maiden Castle,
maintaining their perfect start to the new season with two wins from two.
After falling behind to Beth Hepple’s close range strike, second half substitutes Gillian Keney and Lucy Fitzgerald
delivered the decisive blows. Charlton dominated early, with Ellie Mason and Kiera Skeels denied by fine saves and clearances. However, Durham capitalised against the run of play, Hepple pouncing after hitting the crossbar earlier. The Addicks regrouped after the break, with manager Karen Hills’ triple substitution sparking a turnaround. Keney equalised with her first goal in English football, firing home a rebound, before Fitzgerald’s neat turn and finish seven minutes from time sealed the win, leaving them as the leaders of the fledgling table and the only team to pick up six points from their opening two games.
Sunderland and Birmingham City maintained their unbeaten starts to the season, battling to a 1-1 draw in their clash at the Stadium of Light. In a tightly contested first home match, both goals arrived in quick succession early in the second half. Emily Scarr broke the deadlock on the hour mark, slotting past Lucy Thomas, only for Veatriki Sarri to level the score three minutes later with a stunning top corner strike. Birmingham dominated early possession, nearly taking the lead when Siobhan Magill’s header was cleared off the line by Grace Roberts. Chances were scarce in a cautious first half, with Katie Kitching’s breaks thwarted by Birmingham’s resolute defence.Sunderland thought they had secured the win when Scarr struck, but Sarri’s swift reply ensured a share of the spoils. Late drama saw both sides miss golden opportunities — Lily Crosthwaite dragged her shot wide for Birmingham, while Kiera Barry’s effort narrowly missed for the Lasses.
Newcastle United salvaged a dramatic late draw in their first league outing at Gateshead International Stadium, finishing 1-1 against Sheffield United. The Blades started brightly, with Charlie Devlin testing Claudia Moan early with a 35-yard lob that the keeper palmed away. Devlin then silenced the home crowd just before the break, her long range effort finding the top corner. Newcastle struggled to create clear chances, with Beth Lumsden and Emily Murphy going close but failing to convert. The Blades’ disciplined shape frustrated Newcastle in the second half, but a moment of brilliance from substitutes Emma Taylor and Jasmine McQuade changed the game. Taylor’s cross found McQuade, who rifled a first time volley into the bottom corner. Newcastle nearly snatched victory when Charlotte Wardlaw’s half volley sailed over, leaving both sides to settle for a point.
Bristol City claimed their first victory of the season, defeating Portsmouth 2-0 at a windy Robins High Performance Centre. City started strongly, earning early corners, but Portsmouth’s Georgia Mae Freeland struck the crossbar. Rio Hardy opened the scoring five minutes before half time, finishing after Emily Syme’s fine work. A missed penalty from Hardy kept the game close, but City’s defence, led by Harley Bennett’s goal line clearance, stood firm. Lexi Lloyd-Smith sealed the points late on, firing home after a Vera Jones assist.
Nottingham Forest celebrated their first ever Barclays WSL2 victory, edging out fellow newly promoted side Ipswich Town 1-0 at the JobServe Community Stadium. Nahikari García’s early second half goal proved the difference in a hard fought encounter. Ipswich’s Sophie Peskett threatened early, firing over, while Natalia Negri denied Rachel Rowe’s long-range effort. Deanne Rose missed a golden chance for Forest, but García made no mistake after the break, slotting home after Charlie Wellings’ volley fell kindly. Despite late pressure from Ipswich, Forest’s defence, marshalled by Georgia Brougham, held firm to secure a historic three points.
Crystal Palace and Southampton played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in an action-packed return for Palace to home soil at Sutton. The tone was set early when Michaela McAlonie tapped in Ellie Brazil’s cross for Southampton inside three minutes. Palace responded through Abbie Larkin’s fine first time finish on 24 minutes, before Justine Vanhaevermaet’s header put the hosts ahead for the first time. Southampton equalised just before half time through Brazil, and the second half continued the goal fest. Tara Bourne’s penalty put the Saints back in front, only for Larkin to level with a stunning strike. Ashleigh Weerden then gave Palace the lead again but Megan Collett’s deflected effort restored parity. Despite late chances, including Larkin hitting the crossbar, both sides settled for a point in a match that showcased the division’s attacking flair.
Leading goalscorers:
2 - Mary Bashford (Southampton);
2 - Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace);
2 - Simone Magill (Birmingham City);
2 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland):
