Bristol City roared to victory as London City Lionesses fell to defeat in the Barclays Women’s Championship
London City Lionesses suffered a blow to their title chances following a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Durham in the Barclay’s Women’s Championship.
Bristol City clinched a 1-0 victory over Southampton to extend their lead at the top of the table and remedy last week’s loss to their title rivals.
There were also wins for Crystal Palace and Lewes while Sunderland and Charlton battled to a 2-2 draw.
London City fall short
A blistering first half saw goals from Rio Hardy, Beth Hepple and Sarah Robson give Durham a three-goal lead which they never relinquished.
The visitors started the stronger but Durham took the lead in the 20th minute when Jess Clarke was felled in the area and Hardy converted the spot kick, the score doubled by Hepple eight minutes later.
And it was three for the Wildcats on 42 minutes, as Robson powered a header past Shae Yanez from Hepple’s free-kick.
The Dartford side had a late goal ruled out for handball following a scramble but struggled as they fell to their first league defeat on the road this season.
Bristol extend their lead at the top
Ffion Morgan’s strike proved enough for Bristol City as they held on to claim a 1-0 victory over Southampton.
Morgan’s stunning strike in the 18th minute was the only goal of the contest despite Southampton starting on the front foot with an early opportunity for Beth Lumsden just four minutes in.
Fran Bentley was vital in goal for the Robins, producing some the crucial saves to keep her side ahead in the second half.
And she pulled off a couple more stunning stops to seal all three points in the dying moments to put her team six points clear at the top of the table.
Harris sends Birmingham into third
Martha Harris’ first-half header propelled Birmingham City into third place in the table with a 1-0 win over Coventry United in a Midlands derby.
Defender Harris made it count in the 23rd minute as Harriet Scott played a dazzling ball into the area and connected with the full-back who nodded into the back of the net.
Lucy Thomas and Eleanor Heeps were the highlights for both of their teams as the shot stoppers roared into action to deny a flurry of chances on both ends.
Despite the defeat, bottom of the table Coventry held strong and shone at the Butts Park Arena.
Mason puts Lewes ahead
Ellie Mason struck twice as Lewes notched a 3-2 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Following early opportunities for both sides, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk got the party started in the 25th minute for the Blades, Lewes equalising through Amelia Hazard minutes later.
Mason grabbed her first soon after the break, running half the length of the field unchallenged before firing a left-footed strike into the top corner.
Lewes’ lead only lasted five minutes as defender Naomi Hartley tapped in from close range but it was Mason who had the last laugh, coolly slotted home for her second and securing the win.
Equal terms for Charlton and Sunderland
Grace McCatty’s last-gasp equaliser rescued a point for Sunderland in a 2-2 draw against Charlton.
After a back and forth first half, Jessica Brown opened the scoring for the visitors from the north after the hour-mark.
But Melissa Johnson fired straight back, notching a quick-fire double to put the Addicks ahead.
Charlton thought they had won it, but McCatty rifled the ball home in the dying seconds to salvage something for the visitors.
Sharpe strikes home for three points
Molly Sharpe’s stunning strike earned Crystal Palace a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Following the single goal pattern of the day, Sharpe grabbed the only goal of the game just before the break to give Palace their ninth win of the season.
Polly Doran and Hollie Olding nicely set up Annabel Blanchard for an early opportunity, but it was Sharpe who struck true.
Rovers grew into the game as they searched an equaliser, with their best chance falling to Saffron Jordan, but she could not convert from Megan Hornby’s through ball after a terrific run and Palace came away with all three points.