15.09.2024

Durham and Charlton make perfect starts in Championship

Durham and Charlton made it back-to-back wins to continue their perfect starts to the Barclays Women’s Championship season.

Durham beat Portsmouth 3-0 and Charlton edged out Sheffield United 1-0 to make it six points from six in the second tier.

Elsewhere, Southampton and London City Lionesses got their first victories of the season while Birmingham City and Bristol City couldn’t be separated.

Durham roar past Pompey

Adam Furness’ Durham side made their epic journey down to the south coast worthwhile with a clinical 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Pompey.

The visitors took the lead on 12 minutes when Hannah Blake fired home from 25 yards after good work from winger Kaila Novak.

Novak’s inclusion was the sole change from the side that downed Sheffield United 2-1 on opening day and the Canadian made a big impact, laying on the second goal with a low cross that Lily Crosthwaite steered home from close range.

Pompey had some chances to reduce the deficit but Durham’s Beth Hepple made it three by scoring straight from a corner in second-half injury time.

Charlton make history in Steel City

Charlton won at Sheffield United for the first time in five years with a narrow 1-0 triumph.

After a goalless first half, Ellie Brazil made the decisive contribution on 57 minutes when she connected with Carla Humphrey’s ball and found the bottom right corner.

Substitute Karin Muya rippled the side netting in search of a second but with the Blades barely threatening, Charlton returned to the capital with a hard-earned three points.

Lionesses good value for victory

London City Lionesses made their first-half dominance pay as they claimed an impressive 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

The visitors made the crucial breakthrough just before the hour mark when Charlene Meyong played Lucy Fitzgerald through on goal and she fired past Alex Brooks.

Fitzgerald earned the free-kick that led London City’s second goal as Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah pounced on a rebound to stab home on 36 minutes.

Kosovare Asllani missed a penalty early in the second half and Rovers sub Farah Crompton rifled home to set up a grandstand finish, but the Lionesses rearguard couldn’t be breached.

Saints go marching on

Southampton rode out the storm to romp to a 3-0 win over Sunderland.

The hosts had the better of the first half with Fran Stenson first denying Jeanna Dear’s well-struck volley and then saving Eleanor Dale’s penalty.

The Saints took control in the second half and Rianna Dean’s clinical finish in the 73rd minute got their noses in front.

Dean doubled her side’s lead with an impudent lob ten minutes later and another superb long-range effort from Molly Pike added sheen to the scoreline.

Goalless at Ashton Gate

Recently-relegated Bristol City are still searching for a first win on their return to the second tier as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Birmingham City.

The Blues carved out a number of chances but found Fran Bentley in fine form as she made two superb saves to deny Teagan McGowan either side of half-time.

Amalie Thestrup came closest for the hosts and she was prevented from breaking the deadlock by a superb sliding challenge from Rebecca McKenna on the line.

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