Barclays WSL2 
Kirsty Howat’s early goal proved decisive as Crystal Palace secured a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 on Sunday.
Jo Potter’s side extended their impressive run to 11 wins from 13 games with the narrow home success at the VBS Community Stadium. The Eagles maintained another clean sheet as their resilient defence repelled Ipswich’s second half pressure.The only goal arrived in the 16th minute. Ashleigh Weerden took a short corner to Howat, who exchanged a quick one-two before unleashing a powerful strike from around 18 yards. The Scotland international’s effort sailed over goalkeeper Negri and dipped just beneath the bar. The goal took Howat’s tally to two in as many matches, while Weerden claimed her ninth league assist of the season — levelling the record set by Kosovare Asllani in the formerly named Women’s Championship last term.
Ipswich pushed forward in search of an equaliser after the break, but Palace continued to threaten on the counter. Abbie Larkin went close twice in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, while Aimee Everett produced a vital recovery challenge to thwart a dangerous Ipswich break on 66 minutes. Larkin had a glorious chance to seal the win on 83 minutes, only for her effort to crash against the bar. Palace then comfortably saw out the closing stages, keeping possession and limiting Ipswich to minimal opportunities during four minutes of added time. The result moves Palace closer to the promotion play-offs as they sit firmly in the top four hunt.
A dramatic late strike from Jordan Nobbs earned Newcastle United a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at the Gateshead International Stadium, extending the Magpies’ unbeaten run to eight WSL2 matches in the process. Forest took the lead in the first half when Alana Murphy pounced on a short pass from Anna Tamminen and thumped the ball home. Ten minutes of second half stoppage time were signalled, and Nobbs stepped up as United’s saviour with a thunderous finish from inside the area that left Forest goalkeeper Emily Batty helpless.
Durham Women earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Bristol City at Maiden Castle, with a late penalty rescuing a valuable point for the Wildcats in difficult windy conditions. The hosts made a bright start and took the lead in the 14th minute, Lucy Watson delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal, and Hannah Blake was on hand to tap in her first goal of the season. Bristol City responded before half time when Gemma Lawley rose highest to head home a lofted cross into the six yard box, levelling the scores.
City edged ahead shortly after the restart through another set piece, with Mari Ward heading home from a corner routine. Durham pressed forward in search of an equaliser, creating several opportunities from set pieces. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Sarah Robson was fouled inside the area, earning a penalty and Beth Hepple showed great composure to step up and confidently slot the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
Leading goalscorers:
8 - Amy Andrews (Sheffield United);
8 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);
8 - Rio Hardy (Bristol City);
8 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);
8 - Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace);
8 - Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City);
7 - Mary Bashford (Southampton);
7 - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest);
7 - Jessie Gale (Bristol City/Portsmouth);
7 - Megan Hornby (Portsmouth);
7 - Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace);
7 - Veatriki Sarri (Birmingham City);
6 - Ellie Brazil (Southampton);
6 - Katie Kitching (Sunderland);
6 - Emily Murphy (Newcastle United);
6 - Jordan Nobbs (Newcastle United);
6 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland);
