An Isobel Goodwin wonder strike helped London City Lionesses secure promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League for the first time as they drew 2-2 with Birmingham City in a title decider at St. Andrew’s.
Goodwin wowed the 8,749 fans in attendance in Birmingham with a screamer from 25 yards to help London City clinch a decisive point on the road.
While Cho So-Hyun delivered a stunning volley of her own to deliver a thrilling finish to the affair, a draw was enough to ensure Jocelyn Precheur’s team will compete in English football’s top division next season.
Elsewhere, Shania Hayles’ hat-trick provided Newcastle United with a strong finish to their first season in the Barclays Women’s Championship while Charlton Athletic did enough to secure a place in the top three.
See you next season, @BarclaysWSL 👋 pic.twitter.com/VT0V4eLPFH
— London City Lionesses (@LC_Lionesses) May 4, 2025
London City Lionesses secure promotion in thriller
London City Lionesses held on to a 2-2 draw away at Birmingham City to secure their place in the WSL for the first time in their history, despite a late charge from the hosts.
The size of the occasion was evident in a tense first half that finished goalless, though both sides came close to breaking the deadlock.
Emily van Egmond saw her header cleared off the line by Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah before the London City forward was denied in similar fashion at the other end as her shot was hooked clear by Rebecca Holloway.
Adrianna Franch also stepped up to make a vital save, tipping Goodwin’s shot round the post after the striker had found herself through one-on-one with Blues’ goalkeeper.
But nothing was stopping Goodwin after the restart. The league’s top scorer exchanged passes with Kosovare Asllani on the left flank before charging inside to fire into the top corner from 25 yards out.
It was a strike befitting the occasion and left the hosts with a mountain to climb in the second half.
That mountain did not get any smaller when Boye-Hlorkah rose highest in the box to head home London City’s second and all but secure promotion for Precheur’s side.
But Blues seemed up for the challenge when Van Egmond headed home to make it 2-1 just four minutes later.
And there was a lifeline for Birmingham with four minutes left on the clock as substitute Cho So-Hyun latched onto Lucy Quinn’s cross to loop home a brilliant volley.
It was too little, too late for the hosts, however, who could not find a third despite a fraught 10 minutes of added time and have to settle for second.
Hat-trick hero Hayles provides strong finish
Shania Hayles’ hat-trick provided Newcastle United a strong finish to their first season in the Women’s Championship as they triumphed 5-1 at Blackburn Rovers.
Hayles gave Newcastle the lead in the 11th minute as she rose highest in the box to head Demi Stokes’ cross into the far corner.
It was an advantage that was doubled just after the break as Freya Gregory appeared to score from an impossible angle as she raced to the byline before curling the ball into the far side netting.
From there the floodgates opened as Deanna Cooper added a third before Hayles completed her hat-trick with a quickfire double as she made a late challenge for the golden boot.
Tyler Toland clinched a late consolation for Blackburn who finish tenth in the league.
Some memorabilia from our trip to the North West! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/oHJg7CdBiu
— Newcastle United Women (@NUFCWomen) May 4, 2025
Durham secure top four finish
Durham secured an impressive top four finish in the Women’s Championship with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bristol City.
The hosts got ahead early as Beth Hepple combined with Lily Crosthwaite to give Durham the lead on 11 minutes.
It was Mollie Lambert who extended that advantage just after the break, once more assisted by Crosthwaite to send Durham out of reach of the Robinesses.
It means Durham finish just one point behind Charlton Athletic in third while Bristol City end their first season back in the division in sixth.
Podium place for Addicks
A double salvo from Charlton Athletic ensured they retained third spot with a 2-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The visitors had been held to a goalless draw until the 60th minute which saw them drop down to fourth.
But when Bethan Roe broke the deadlock on the hour mark, nothing was stopping the Addicks.
It took just two minutes before Katie Bradley had the ball in the back of the net once more to restore Charlton’s third-place finish, leaving Southampton off the pace in eighth.
What a team ❤️
The 2024/25 season is done ✔️ pic.twitter.com/MPZj33DJKT
— Charlton Athletic Women (@CAFCWomen) May 4, 2025
Final day spells good luck for Black Cats
Sunderland finished the season in style as they overcame Sheffield United with a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.
Eleanor Dale broke the deadlock early in the second half as she converted a penalty all of her own making to give Sunderland the lead.
The striker was brought down by the Sheffield United ‘keeper in the box before calmly slotting home from the spot.
Emily Scarr then ensured all three points would stay in the north east as she added a second in the 82nd minute, despite Monique Robinson’s late consolation.
It sees the Black Cats end the season in seventh with Sheffield United’s relegation already confirmed.
