Southampton secured their first ever Barclays Women’s Championship win when ending Crystal Palace’s perfect start to the campaign.
Durham 3-1 Blackburn Rovers (Att: 824)
Crystal Palace 1-2 Southampton (Att: 1,876)
Charlton Athletic 3-0 Birmingham City
Lewes 0-0 London City Lionesses
Sheffield United 8-0 Coventry United
Bristol City 1-0 Sunderland
Lexi Lloyd-Smith scored twice as Southampton took the points away to Crystal Palace, who had won their first two games. Lloyd-Smith’s early goal was cancelled out in first-half stoppage-time as Annabel Blanchard’s free kick hit the woodwork and Coral Haines netted the rebound. Lloyd-Smith then restored the advantage soo after the interval.
Bristol City go clear at the top
Bristol City made it three straight wins to move three points ahead of the rest. Shania Hayles made the breakthrough against Sunderland, one-on-one with keeper Claudia Moan she coolly slotted home for a 57th-minute decider.
Valley victory for Charlton
Ella Rutherford gave Charlton a fifth-minute lead at The Valley and Birmingham fell two behind as Angela Arnold scored before the break. Blues’ Lucy Thomas conceded an own-goal early in the second half, as the Addicks took all three points.
Noonan brace helps Durham bank first win
Durham struck twice approaching half-time against Blackburn, Saoirse Noonan’s opener added to by Sarah Robson’s rocket form Grace Ayre’s backheel. After the break Saffron Jordan replied for Rovers, only for Noonan to charge down keeper Alex Brooks attempted clearance and burying the loose ball.
Lionesses hold Lewes despite red card
Lewes made it three draws from as many games after drawing a blank at home to London City Lionesses. The visitors had Lily Agg sent off for a second caution with five minutes left but the Rooks could not make the late numerical advantage pay.
Sheffield United thrash Coventry
Maddy Cusack and Mia Enderby each bagged a brace as Sheffield United sank Coventry. Grace Riglar, Rhema Lord-Mears, Charlotte Newsham and Becky Rayner weighed in with one apiece.
