Barclays WSL2
Birmingham City returned to winning form with a 4-2 victory over Newcastle United, to see them go back to the top of
the table on goal difference.
The Blues dominated early, with Veatriki Sarri’s stunning 25-yard strike opening the scoring on nine minutes after Christie
Harrison-Murray’s high press. Five minutes later, Batcheba Louis volleyed home from the edge of the box to make it 2-0, following Rebecca McKenna’s dangerous cross. Lily Crosthwaite added a third before the break, calmly finishing McKenna’s pinpoint delivery. Newcastle pulled one back through Jasmine McQuade’s header on the hour, but Océane Hurtré restored Birmingham’s three-goal cushion with her first club goal on 71 minutes. Beth Lumsden’s late strike for Newcastle proved a mere consolation as Blues claimed the points.
Sunderland moved up into second with a 2-1 triumph over Durham Women in the River Wear derby at Eppleton CW. Emily Scarr nodded home the opener early in the second half, before Katie Kitching’s sensational 25-yard rocket doubled the lead in the 85th minute. Durham responded with a stoppage time own goal, but Mel Reay’s side held firm to secure bragging rights and three important points.
Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town meanwhile played out a cagey goalless draw at The Valley. The Addicks, who had gone into the weekend as leaders, created the better chances, with Amelie Thestrup firing inches wide in the opening minutes. Mia Ross and Elisha N’Dow also went close, but Ipswich’s Natalia Negri stood firm in goal. The second half offered little in terms of clear cut opportunities as both sides cancelled each other out in a tightly contested affair.
Bristol City secured back-to-back wins with a late 1-0 victory at Southampton, thanks to Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s 88th minute strike. Despite early pressure from the hosts, City goalkeeper Fran Bentley made key saves to keep the game level. City grew into the match, with Mari Ward and Marnie Dafeur going close before Lloyd-Smith, a second half substitute, smashed home the decisive goal after a scramble in the box.
Crystal Palace claimed their first win of the season, defeating Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the City Ground. Summer signings Justine Vanhaevermaet and Kirsty Howat scored in the first half, with the former netting a looping volley and the latter pouncing on a loose ball. Forest pulled one back in stoppage time through Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s long range stunner, but Palace held on for a vital three points.
Portsmouth secured their first Barclays Women’s WSL 2 win of the season, edging Sheffield United 1-0 at Fratton Park. Meg Hornby’s 10th minute free kick, which looped over Charlotte Parker-Smith and bounced in off the bar, proved the difference. Sheffield United pushed for an equaliser, with Amy Andrews striking the post from a penalty and Jess Reavill being denied by a superb Jess Gray save. Despite late pressure from the Blades, Pompey held firm, with Gray’s heroics ensuring a clean sheet.
Leading goalscorers:
3 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland);
2 - Mary Bashford (Southampton);
2 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);
2 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);
2 - Katie Kitching (Sunderland);
2 - Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace);
2 - Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City);
2 - Batcheba Louis (Birmingham City);
2 - Simone Magill (Birmingham City);
2 - Jasmine McQuade (Newcastle United);
2 - Veatriki Sarri (Birmingham City);
2 - Justine Vanhaevermaet (Crystal Palace);
