Birmingham City lead the new Barclays Women’s Championship table after a big opening-day win over Sunderland.
Durham 2-1 Sheffield United
Birmingham City 5-0 Sunderland
Charlton Athletic 3-0 Portsmouth
London City Lionesses 1-1 Newcastle United
Southampton 1-1 Bristol City
Birmingham City were three up over Sunderland by the interval, Lucy Quinn opening the scoring from an Ivana Fuso ball. Rebecca McKenna’s cross was headed over Demi Lambourne and in by Lily Agg, Tegan McGowan picking out Choe Yu-ri for the third. Lucy Quinn got her second and the Blues fourth from the spot, Fuso got on the score sheet after a one-two with Yu-ri.
Charlton Athletic also ran in three first-half goals against Portsmouth, all in the opening 23 minutes. Ellie Brazil struck first, Megan Hornby hit the bar for Pompey but Jodie Hutton found the net for the Addicks’ second. A Sophie Whitehouse goal kick was flicked on by Kayleigh Barton for Brazil to make it 3-0.
Newcastle United’s first goal in the Championship came through Shania Hayles after Jasmine McQuade won the ball. Lotta Lindström hit the post for London City Lionesses but set up the equaliser, squaring for the on-running Kosovare Asslani to fire past Claudia Moan. Hayles should have restored the advantage before half time but missed an open goal after a parry by Emily Orman. Isobel Goodwin was presented with the best chance of the second half but United’s Charlotte Potts made the block.
Southampton and Bristol City played out a goalless first 45 or so, then just two minutes after the restart Aimee Palmer bent a free-kick in at the near post for the Saints. Lexi Lloyd-Smith levelled soon after the hour mark.
Mollie Lambert scored the first goal of the new season after just 11 minutes, sweeping home from 20 yards to give Durham the lead over Sheffield United. Becky Salicki hit the post for the hosts, with the Blades levelling close to the break when Eva Butler netted following Maria Farrugia’s corner. Carly Johns marked her Wildcats debut by restoring their lead in the second half, after which Ella Wilson hit the visitors’ woodwork.
