Super-sub Melissa Johnson propelled Charlton Athletic to a dramatic derby day triumph over Crystal Palace on a thrilling day of Barclays Women’s Championship action.
The experienced striker came off the bench with 15 minutes remaining at The Valley to almost immediately net the winner and help the hosts leapfrog their south London opponents into third in the table.
Both sides traded blows throughout a frantic first half as Angela Addison and Kayleigh Green both grabbed goals for the in-form Addicks.
But Palace pegged them back as a smart Elise Hughes header, followed by a stunner from Araya Dennis, left the teams locked level heading into the break.
Charlton rallied for a decisive winner throughout the second period, and it was former Aston Villa ace Johnson who found it, coming off the bench in the 75th minute to fire Karen Hills’ high-flying side to their fourth win in five Championship matches.
Those derby day victories 🙌#BarclaysWC @CAFCWomen pic.twitter.com/a0qAjldkYy
— Barclays Women’s Championship (@BarclaysWC) October 22, 2023
Lasses maintain unbeaten record
Sunderland extended their unbeaten start to the season with a steely 2-0 win away at Lewes.
Jenna Dear and Liz Ejupi’s first-half strikes proved the difference to fire the Lasses three points clear at the summit of the table.
Lewes remain rooted to the bottom having racked up just a solitary win – last weekend at Watford – in eight matches played so far.
Brilliant Blues deliver five-star display
Birmingham City delivered a dazzling five-star display against Watford at St Andrew’s.
Five different scorers fired the Blues to an entertaining victory in a seven-goal thriller as the Hornets netted two consolations in the West Midlands.
Ivana Fuso, Lily Agg, Charlie Devlin, Libby Smith and Ellie Mason all grabbed the goals as Lucia Leon and Carly Johns’ strikes capped an action-packed 5-2 triumph.
The #BarclaysWC standings going into the International break! 📊 pic.twitter.com/WyLdBvLkp2
— Barclays Women’s Championship (@BarclaysWC) October 22, 2023
The result solidifies City’s place in the middle of the Championship table and leaves struggling Watford still level on points with Lewes at the bottom.
Lionesses roar back to winning ways
Lois Joel’s stunning long-range strike helped haul London City Lionesses to shock 1-0 win over Southampton.
The skipper netted a memorable first-half winner after winning back possession from 35 yards out and lobbing Saints’ keeper Kayla Rendell.
The second-place visitors battled for a second-half leveller but were unable to get on the scoresheet in the capital as they slipped to their third defeat of the season.
And victory for the Lionesses proved crucial as it halted a run of four consecutive defeats and lifted them four points clear of the drop zone.
Plenty of drama across the #BarclaysWC this weekend!
Which result impressed you the most? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZmbGShhqlc
— Barclays Women’s Championship (@BarclaysWC) October 22, 2023
Blades get back on track
Sheffield United soared to their third win in four matches with a hard-fought 3-1 triumph at Reading.
Ashley Hodson, Isobel Goodwin and Charlotte Newsham all scored as the Blades bounced back from last week’s 4-0 defeat at home to Birmingham.
Tia Primmer pulled one back for the Royals in injury-time but it proved nothing more than a consolation as the visitors leapfrogged their opponents in the table.
Noonan double proves decisive for Durham
Saoirse Noonan’s delightful double fired Durham to a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Noonan scored twice in five first-half minutes to put the Wildcats in control of the contest before Tyler Toland halved the deficit before the break.
The hosts failed to put the game to bed despite creating plenty of chances in a dominant second half but held firm to ensure a valuable three points remained in the north-east.
