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Wednesday, November 19, 2025

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Barclays WSL2

Charlton Athletic marked a full calendar year unbeaten in the Barclays Women's Championship with a composed 2-0

victory over third placed Bristol City at The Valley on Sunday.

The opening exchanges were lively but fruitless, with a series of dangerous crosses into the City box coming to nothing.

The visitors threatened in the 13th minute when Camila Sáez tried her luck from distance, only for Sophie Whitehouse to produce a fine save and Rio Hardy struck the rebound against the woodwork.

Charlton dominated possession yet struggled to test Fran Bentley until second half spot kick drama broke the deadlock. After the visitors had two separate appeals for a penalty turned down, Karin Muya was tugged back in the area by Marine Dafeur, and Katie Bradley coolly sent Bentley the wrong way from 12 yards. Four minutes later, Gracie Pearse doubled the lead with a neat close range finish. Bradley nearly added a spectacular third late on, weaving past several defenders before seeing her low drive pushed away by Bentley.

Birmingham City reclaimed second place with a thrilling 5-2 home win over Portsmouth in a match that exploded into life after just 26 seconds. Christie Harrison-Murray finished a slick move to give Blues the fastest goal of the season so far, but Portsmouth levelled through Meg Hornby on six minutes. Lucy Quinn restored the hosts’ advantage midway through the half, only for Jessie Gale to make it 2-2 ten minutes later. The sides went in level at the break after Martha Harris rattled the crossbar.

Amy Merricks’ second half substitutions proved decisive as Océane Hurtré’s introduction injected fresh energy and, in the 76th minute, her shot was poorly dealt with by Jess Gray, allowing Lily Crosthwaite to fire home. Two minutes later, Hurtré turned provider for Chelsea Cornet, who dinked home the fourth. Tegan McGowan headed the fifth in the 86th minute to seal an emphatic victory on the day.

Newcastle United preserved their unbeaten competitive record at St James’ Park with a 3-1 win over rivals Sunderland in front of 18,972 fans in the season’s first Tyne-Wear derby.

The hosts survived an early scare when debutant goalkeeper Anna Tamminen saved Eleanor Dale’s penalty in front of the Gallowgate End. Newcastle capitalised immediately; Jordan Nobbs’ deep corner was bundled in by Deanna Cooper, and three minutes later Emily Murphy smashed home after Sunderland failed to clear another set piece. Keira Barry pulled one back with a close range header, but Murphy’s superb 20-yard drive late on secured the points and kept the Magpies’ proud home record intact.

Nottingham Forest earned a hard fought point on the road as they held Sheffield United to a goalless draw at Bramall Lane but victory for Newcastle means they fall back to fifth place. Clear cut chances were scarce throughout; the Blades struck the frame of the goal late in the first half, while Forest goalkeeper Emily Batty made three crucial second half saves. Despite late pressure from both sides, including a Georgia Brougham effort from a corner, neither could find a winner and the match finished goalless.

Southampton halted a run of defeats by securing a 1-1 draw against Durham Women at the Silverlake Stadium, though they will feel they merited all three points. Beth Hepple capitalised on early defensive hesitation to give the visitors a tenth minute lead, but Southampton captain Atlanta Primus levelled seven minutes into the second half with a confident finish from Amy Goddard’s cross. Saints dominated the latter stages and forced a string of late corners, yet Tara Bourne and Jess Simpson were both denied by smart saves from Catriona Sheppard.

Crystal Palace came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Ipswich Town and register their second win of the campaign. Sophie Peskett punished a Justine Vanhaevermaet error to put the Tractor Girls ahead after 22 minutes but Palace improved markedly after the interval and equalised on the hour when Ashleigh Weerden’s fierce drive crashed in off the crossbar.

Substitute Abbie Larkin completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute, her low strike clipping the post on its way past Natalia Negri. Larkin struck the woodwork again in stoppage time as Palace held on for three valuable away points and their second league win of the season.

Leading goalscorers:

6 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);

5 - Rio Hardy (Bristol City);

5 - Meg Hornby (Portsmouth);

5 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland);

4 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);

4 - Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace);

4 - Jodie Hutton (Charlton Athletic);

4 - Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City);

4 - Batcheba Louis (Birmingham City);

4 - Emily Murphy (Newcastle United);

4 - Veatriki Sarri I(Birmingham City);