Wednesday June 29th
FA WSL 1
Birmingham City 0-0 Arsenal (Att: 626)
Sunderland 0-5 Chelsea (Att: 536)
FA WSL 2
Millwall Lionesses 1-1 London Bees
Thursday June 30th
FA WSL 2
Oxford United v Yeovil Town (Abingdon Utd FC, 7.45)
Sunderland 0-5 Chelsea
Emma Hayes’s side are just two points behind Manchester City with a game in hand, following a 5-0 victory at Sunderland, who remain three points off the bottom but from four games more than Doncaster.
Both teams had had chances, though Chelsea the more clear cut and numerous (including striking the upright) before Karen Carney set up left wing back Claire Rafferty for the opener – a move down the right finished with a sweet volley – just ahead of the half-hour, and two quick goals before half-time made the game safe. First Rafferty poked home after Gemma Davison’s shot was blocked, then Davison herself turned goal-scorer from Ji So-Yun’s cross. It was Davison’s first of the year and well deserved for a player who was full of energy and looked sharp throughout.
In the second half, despite a positive restart from Sunderland, Millie Bright (playing as part of a back three) made it four from the edge of the box before Ji topped it off 5 minutes later.
Birmingham City 0-0 Arsenal
Birmingham made it a remarkable five clean sheets in a row when holding Arsenal 0-0 in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Arsenal created several early half-chances, with Alex Scott going closest with a 40 yard free-kick that was helped around the post by Ann-Katrin Berger.
The Gunners should have been in front within minutes of the restart as Asisat Oshoala went through on goal, but could only fire her shot straight at an on-rushing Berger.
Midway through the second half Birmingham went close as neat build-up play between Mel Lawley and Kerys Harrop saw Andrine Hegerberg – unchallenged at the back post – head over the bar.
Substitute Bella Linden then went close for the home side, while Arsenal’s Jordan Nobbs came off the bench only to see her shot comfortably saved by Berger as the game ended in a stalemate.
Millwall Lionesses 1-1 London Bees
A late leveller from London Bees kept them 3 points ahead of Millwall in sixth spot but having played a couple more games.
Rinsola Babajide curled in a brilliant shot from 25 yards out 10 minutes before the break as Millwall edged a tight first half.
London Bees responded in the second though, and after a number of missed chances, eventually levelled when Merrick Will tapped home from close range 3 minutes from time.
Oxford United v Yeovil Town
Thursday sees top of WSL 2 Yeovil Town go in search of a double over Oxford United, having previously beaten them 2-0 in Somerset.
Pictured – Chelsea’s Karen Carney congratulates Claire Rafferty on her goal.
