The website dedicated to women's football across the country, at ALL levels of the game

@en

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Back to home page

Barclays WSL2

Barclays WSL2 leaders Charlton Athletic continued their unbeaten league run with a dominant performance against

Fourth placed Newcastle United, securing a 2-1 win to kick off the calendar year in impressive fashion.

The Addicks asserted control early, dominating possession. Amelie Thestrup went close with a dangerous cross-shot in the

12th minute before Jodie Hutton opened the scoring three minutes later, firing home from close range after a precise pass

from Lucy Fitzgerald.

Newcastle settled midway through the first half but struggled to create clear cit chances. Beth Lumsden's volley was comfortably saved by Sophie Whitehouse, while Jordan Nobbs tested the Charlton keeper with a long range effort that she tipped away.Charlton doubled their lead via a calmly converted penalty from Katie Bradley after Ashanti Akpan fouled Karin Muya in the box. Bradley nearly added a third moments later but saw her shot saved by Anna Tamminen.The visitors pulled one back in the 58th minute through Oona Sevenius, who found the bottom corner. Despite Newcastle enjoying more possession in the second half, Charlton's disciplined defence — including strong game management and resilience through nine minutes of added time — ensured the three points and kept them atop the table.

Birmingham City delivered a dominant away victory over Portsmouth with goals from Veatriki Sarri (2), Lily Crosthwaite, and debutant Wilma Leidhammar sealing a comprehensive win on the south coast. The contest began cagily in testing conditions, but Birmingham broke the deadlock on 24 minutes when Sarri rifled a low shot into the bottom corner for her tenth goal of the season after a cleared cross fell kindly.

Crosthwaite doubled the lead six minutes later, finishing calmly from Lotta Lindström's low cross. The Blues took a deserved 2-0 advantage into the break after controlling the first half.Dominance continued post-interval, with Sarri adding her second on 53 minutes following Crosthwaite's weighted pass. Leidhammar, the club record signing, marked her debut with a stunning late strike, driving forward from 40 yards and finishing confidently into the bottom corner. Despite some physical exchanges and stoppages, Birmingham's clinical finishing and possession play earned a convincing three points.

Third placed Bristol City earned a hard earned point on the road at Ipswich Town's JobServe Community Stadium. Ipswich took an early lead in the 14th minute when Thomas volleyed home from a set piece. The Robins responded with chances, including a long range effort from captain Vicky Losada that was saved, but went in 1-0 down at the break.A triple substitution from Healy proved key, introducing Vera Jones, Harley Bennett, and another. Bennett levelled midway through the second half, rising to meet Syme's excellent set-piece delivery. Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages but neither found it, leaving Bristol City in third place after 13 games

Crystal Palace extended their league winning streak to five with a dominant 4-0 home victory over Durham Women at a jubilant VBS Community Stadium. The first half remained goalless despite Palace's dominance, with Kirsty Howat, Molly-Mae Sharpe, and Elise Hughes all missing good opportunities. The breakthrough came on 60 minutes when Sharpe finished clinically at the back post from Elise Weerden's cross. The floodgates then opened: Annabel Blanchard made it 2-0 on 68 minutes after Abbie Larkin’s cross was spilled, Sharpe added her second on 76 from close range, and Larkin tapped home a fourth late on from Weerden's delivery. Shae Yañez kept a clean sheet with several key saves as Palace marked their first 2026 home game with a convincing win.

Charlie Wellings marked her return with the decisive goal as Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at the City Ground. The hosts started brightly, forcing an early save from Sian Rogers and Forest took the lead in the 17th minute when Deanne Rose’s deflected strike fell to Wellings, who headed home her third of the season. Chances followed for both sides before the break, but Forest held firm. Post-interval, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and others went close, with Georgia Brougham hitting the bar from a free kick.Late substitutions helped Forest see out the game and claim three vital points in their push towards the play-off spots.

Sunderland returned to league action with a hard fought 1-0 win over Southampton in freezing conditions at Eppleton CW. After a tense, goalless first half with few clear chances, Eleanor Dale proved the difference early in the second period, reacting quickest to convert from close range after Rhiannon Roberts forced a save.

Sunderland applied pressure for a second — with Katie Kitching and Marissa Sheva going close — while remaining resolute at the back to secure their first clean sheet since the season opener and three deserved points.

Leading goalscorers:

7 - Rio Hardy (Bristol City);

7 - Veatriki Sarri (Birmingham City);

6 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);

6 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);

6 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland);

5 - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest);

5 - Jessie Gale (Bristol City/Portsmouth);

5 - Meg Hornby (Portsmouth);

5 - Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace);

5 - Jodie Hutton (Charlton Athletic);

5 - Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace);

5 - Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City);