Charlton Athletic moved to the summit of the Barclays Women’s Championship with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Strikes from Beth Roe and Mel Filis either side of the break but the hosts in control but Rovers halved the deficit through Millie Chandarana just after the hour.
But the Addicks were back in control six minutes from time thanks to captain Kate Longhurt’s close-range finish as Charlton looked to have sealed all three points.
Jemima Dahou made it a nervy finish with Blackburn’s second goal in injury time but Karen Hills’ side stayed strong to move into first place in the table.
Saints ease past Golden Girls
Southampton made a winning start to 2024 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Watford.
Saints’ title hopes took a blow in their final game of 2023 with a 1-0 loss to Durham, but Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s team responded well after the winter break with all three points at St Mary’s.
Megan Collett opened the scoring five minutes before the break before Sophia Pharoah netted twice in four minutes after the interval to seal victory, with the striker producing an audacious long-range lob for her second of the afternoon.
Sublime 😏
Ridiculous 🤯That’s some brace, @Sophiapharoah_ 👏 pic.twitter.com/vvwD4d8ySN
— Southampton FC Women (@SaintsFCWomen) January 21, 2024
Wildcats earn last-gasp point at Lewes
A stoppage-time equaliser earned Durham a dramatic point courtesy of a 1-1 draw away at Lewes.
The Rooks looked set for their third win of the season thanks to Grace Riglar’s strike 10 minutes after the break.
The defender bravely nodded home from close range after superb work from new signing Lois Heuchan to deliver a dangerous cross into the Durham box.
Just look what it means to @LewesFCWomen!@GraceRigl heads it home 🙌#BarclaysWC pic.twitter.com/ZPfzbiq4Uo
— Barclays Women’s Championship (@BarclaysWC) January 21, 2024
But the hosts were unable to hang on at The Dripping Pan, as Ellie Hack turned Eleanor Ryan-Doyle’s cross into her own goal with just seconds remaining.
The point sees Durham stay sixth but lose ground on the title-chasing pack, while Lewes move a further point clear of bottom side Watford but are still three points adrift of safety.
Lasses put Blades to the sword
Emily Scarr scored twice to help Sunderland to a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United.
The Lasses produced three goals after half-time to return to winning ways after two defeats in their last tw games across league and cup.
Ellen Jones opened the scoring ten minutes after the restart, robbing the Blades defence before finishing past Fran Stenson.
Scarr doubled the lead a few minutes later with a first-time finish inside the box before the striker sealed the points late on after finishing off a sweeping counter-attack.
Post-match scenes 😍#SAFCWomen | #SUNSHE pic.twitter.com/vpoUz3FCpO
— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) January 21, 2024
Palace power past Lionesses
A goal in either half helped Crystal Palace to a 2-0 win away at London City Lionesses.
Hayley Nolan gave Palace the lead after 21 minutes as she nodded home Fliss Gibbons’ cross.
The points were sealed in stoppage time as Elise Hughes bundled home from close range after Annabel Blanchard’s free-kick cannoned off the crossbar.
Victory leaves Palace two points off the top in third, with only Sunderland in between them and leaders Charlton.
Reading versus Birmingham postponed
There was no action at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, as Reading’s match with Birmingham City was postponed due to an outbreak of illness in the home camp.
