Barclays WSL2
Charlton Athletic Triumph at Sunderland
Jodie Hutton’s brace powered Charlton Athletic to a commanding 2-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light
on Sunday. The Addicks maintained their unbeaten league run, stretching back to last November, with a dominant display
in the North East. Hutton opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, lashing
the ball into the top corner after a cleared cross. Despite a strong first half, where Mary McAteer was denied by a fine save, Charlton led 1-0 at the break.
Sunderland saw more possession after half time but struggled to create chances against a resolute Addicks defence. Hutton nearly doubled the lead with a 25-yard free kick that rattled the crossbar, before sealing her brace in the 68th minute, heading in McAteer’s pinpoint cross. A late injury to captain Kiera Skeels slightly marred the day, but Charlton claimed top spot in WSL 2 with their third win in four matches.
Southampton Stun League Leaders Birmingham City
Southampton FC Women secured a 2-1 upset over Birmingham City at St Andrews. Atlanta Primus’ first half tap in and a sensational long range lob from Chloe Peplow earned Saints the points. The visitors started brightly, restricting Birmingham’s Ji So-Yun and Lucy Quinn early on. Primus struck in the first half from Jess Simpson’s corner, while goalkeeper Fran Stenson made crucial saves to preserve the lead. Peplow’s audacious 47th minute lob doubled the advantage, leaving Birmingham rattled. Despite a late reply from Ji So-Yun in stoppage time, Southampton held firm to claim a vital victory.
Nottingham Forest Beat Portsmouth for First Home Win
Nottingham Forest roared to a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth at the City Ground, securing their first home win of the season and climbing to third in the WSL 2 table. After falling behind to Meg Hornby’s early strike, Forest fought back with goals from Jessie Stapleton, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Aimee Claypole, and Hollie Olding. Despite a bright start, with chances for Boye-Hlorkah and Deanne Rose, Forest trailed after Hornby’s composed finish. Stapleton levelled from Lia’s corner, before Boye-Hlorkah’s long range stunner put the Reds ahead. Substitutes Claypole and Olding sealed the rout in added time, capitalising on defensive errors to ensure a third consecutive win.
Bristol City Edge Durham for First Home Victory
Bristol City claimed their first home win of the season, defeating Durham Women 2-1 at Ashton Gate. Goals from Sophie Ingle and captain Vicky Losada secured the points, despite a second half reply from Molly Lambert. Ingle - sent off seven days earlier but available after her red card was rescinded - broke the deadlock on 27 minutes after Losada’s cross caused chaos in the Durham box. Losada then headed in Emily Syme’s cross early in the second half to double the lead. Lambert’s curled effort pulled one back for Durham, but City’s defence stood firm to secure a deserved three points, with Maria Farrugia and Losada both going close in a dominant display.
Late Drama as Crystal Palace Draw with Newcastle
Crystal Palace were denied victory by a 98th minute equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at the VBS Community Stadium. Kirsty Howat and Molly-Mae Sharpe put Palace 2-0 up, but late goals from Oona Sevenius and Morgan Gautrat salvaged a point for the Magpies. A tight first half saw Palace create the better chances, with Abbie Larkin and Ashleigh Weerden threatening. Howat nodded in Weerden’s cross to open the scoring on 55 minutes, and substitute Sharpe struck two minutes after coming on. However, Sevenius’ 87th minute goal and Gautrat’s stoppage time equaliser, direct from a corner, shocked Palace, who had to settle for a draw in the end.
Sheffield United Secure First Win Against Ipswich
Sheffield United claimed their first victory of the season, edging Ipswich Town 3-2 in a dramatic clash at Bramall Lane. Charlie Devlin and a brace from Amy Andrews secured the points, despite a late scare. Devlin opened the scoring after Ella Kinzett’s effort was saved, and Andrews netted twice, first before the break and again early in the second half, following fine work from Kinzett and Mollie Rouse. Ipswich fought back with goals from Rianna Dean and Natasha Thomas, the latter in controversial circumstances after a head injury stoppage. Bethan Roe’s red card added to the tension, but the Blades held on for a crucial win - their first in the league for nearly twelve months.
Leading goalscorers:
3 - Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City);
3 - Rianna Dean (Ipswich Town);
3 - Beth Hepple (Durham Women);
3 - Emily Scarr (Sunderland);
2 - Amy Andrews (Sheffield United);
2 - Mary Bashford (Southampton);
2 - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Nottingham Forest);
2 - Charlie Devlin (Sheffierld United);
2 - Meg Hornby (Portsmouth);
2 - Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace);
2 - Jodie Hutton (Charlton Athletic);
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 - Chloe Peplow (Southampton);
2 - Atlanta Primus (Southampton);
2 - Veatriki Sarri (Birmingham City);
2 - Justine Vanhaevermaet (Crystal Palace);
