Sunderland went top of the Barclays Women’s Championship, Charlton Athletic edged Crystal Palace in a local derby.
Durham 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Lewes 0-2 Sunderland
Reading 1-3 Sheffield United
London City Lionesses 1-0 Southampton
Birmingham City 5-2 Watford
Charlton Athletic 3-2 Crystal Palace
Charlton Athletic eventually came out on top in the derby with Crystal Palace at The Valley, overtaking them to go up to third place. Angela Addison put the Addicks ahead aided by Freda Ayisi in the 14th minute, Elise Hughes levelled when reacting quickest to the ball rebounding back off the bar to head in. Four minutes before the break Charlton restored the advantage, Kayleigh Green nodding in Carla Humphrey’s free kick. Araya Dennis blasted Palace back on level terms again but Melissa Johnson came off the bench to swiftly send the hosts in front for the third time.
Sunderland took all three points at basement side Lewes with two first-half goals, to go top of the table. Katie Kitching combined with Jenna Dear before the latter’s cross-shot flew straight in, the Black Cats going in two up after Dear headed on a Kitching corner and Natalie Fenton tapped it in at the back post.
🗣️ Mel Reay on today’s victory! #SAFCWomen | #LEWSUN pic.twitter.com/cKM7Ajhza3
— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) October 22, 2023
London City Lionesses claimed their second win of the season and it came against morning leaders Southampton. The single goal was a dramatic one, as Lois Joel won the ball 35 yards out and shot over keeper Kayla Rendell and into the net.
Sheffield United leapfrogged Reading in the table with a 3-1 away win over the Royals. Ashley Hodson had the Blades one up at the interval, having pounced on a loose back pass, she rounded keeper Emily Orman to score. Izzy Goodwin got the second three minutes after the restart, winning the ball back and bursting into the box for a calm finish. The points were made safe when Jodie Hutton’s delivery was turned across the six-yard box by Tara Bourne for a Charlotte Newsham tap in. Tia Primmer got a late consolation for the Royals.
FT: Big performance on the road. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/3Ud69kmXZ2
— Sheffield United Women (@sufc_women) October 22, 2023
Birmingham City ran out big winners over Watford, aided by Lucy Quinn’s three assists. Ivana Fuso headed home a Quinn corner midway through the first half, the Blues then adding a quick brace approaching the interval. Lily Agg converted from the spot and Charlie Devlin drove in a Quinn cross. Two minutes into the second half Carly Johns pulled one back for Watford, only for Libby Smith to scramble home City’s fourth soon after and Ellie Mason to also net with another assist for Quinn. Lucia Leon later opened her account for the Hornets.
Durham defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-1 to move with a point of their visitors. Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Saoirse Noonan twice combined for the latter to bag a first-half brace, firstly with a header then rifling home following a free kick. Rovers broke quickly to reply before half time, Lauren Thomas sending Tyler Toland away to slot into the back of the net.
