A perfect record continuing, some surprise results and the usual competitive matches — the Women’s Championship served up its usual mix of excitement over the weekend.
We’ve rounded up the full list of results and how the action unfolded, take a look below.
Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic continued their 100 percent record this season as they beat Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Rovers had started the season well, surprising many with their victory at Southampton last weekend. But the Addicks scored twice in the first half to take home all three points.
Karin Muya opened the scoring by getting on the end of a pinpoint cross from Charlotte Newsham to head home. Charlton were dominant and were well worthy of their second goal that came later in the half. Melisa Filis provided the assist this time and Elisha N’Dow headed in. Blackburn made a fight of it in the second half but it was the visitors who came away with all three points.
Durham 1-0 Birmingham City
Durham have been the surprise package of the Women’s Championship so far and they pulled off another superb result on Sunday. After defeat last weekend, they made it three wins from four by edging out Birmingham City at Maiden Castle. In a tight first half, the hosts came agonisingly close to taking the lead after a goalmouth scramble. But just after the restart, they had the breakthrough.
Lily Crosthwaite robbed the ball on the half-way line, drove with it and finished smartly past Lucy Thomas in goal. A number of Birmingham corners were well defended by Durham and they held on for a huge three points. The win takes the Wildcats to second in the table, while Birmingham drop to third after their first defeat.
Portsmouth 0-2 Newcastle United
The battle of the two promoted clubs ended with Newcastle United coming out on top. The Magpies took the lead thanks to Amy Andrews. She had already had a couple of sighters on goal before she gave her side the lead. She produced a beautiful finish over home keeper Eve Annets for her first goal of the season.
Claudia Moan had to be at her best to keep out Emma Jones as Pompey looked to get back into the game. But Newcastle made sure of the points when Jasmine McQuade got on the end of an Isabella Sibley drive to tap in. While they climb the table, Portsmouth sit rock bottom with four defeats from four so far.
Southampton 2-0 Sheffield United
Southampton claimed an important home win over Sheffield United at St Mary’s as they bounced back from a home defeat to Blackburn during the weekend prior.
The Saints were on top in the first half without getting the breakthrough and that loss a week ago would have been on their minds. But, this time, they made their chances count as they score twice in the second half. Freya Gregory’s half volley into the top corner broke the deadlock just after the hour with her first goal for the club. Substitute Rianna Dean made the points safe with two minutes to go when she was put through on goal and finished well. Like Portsmouth, The Blades are yet to pick up a point this season while Southampton are back up to fourth.
Sunderland 1-0 London City Lionesses
Perhaps the result of the weekend came at Eppleton as Sunderland picked up their first win of the Women’s Championship season against big spending London City. The visitors narrowly topped most of the stats but it was Sunderland who made their big chance count. After an opening that saw London City attempt to control possession, the Lasses grew into the game and Katie Kitching hit the bar with their best effort of the first half.
The breakthrough came when Natasha Fenton got on the end of a Kitching corner to put her side in front. Sunderland could have made it two in stoppage time but Emily Scarr saw her penalty saved by Emily Orman in the London City goal.
