The FA Women’s Continental League Cup saw Birmingham City beat Brighton and West Ham fight back against London City Lionesses.
Group A
Durham 3-3 Sheffield United (Durham win shoot-out 5-3)
Durham struck twice in the first 17 minutes, Rio Hardy’s opener added to by Beth Hepple’s curled effort. Georgia Walters replied before the break with her first for the Blades, then headed home from a Bex Rayner cross as they retrieved a two-goal deficit for the second week in a row. Hepple restored the lead from the spot, only for Rayner to lob home from distance for a share of the points. Durham gained the extra point 5-3 on penalties, Naoisha McAloon’s save followed my Maria Farrugia’s winner.
Group B
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Blackburn Rovers 0-3 Leicester City
Katie Stengel hit the bar early on for Liverpool, Megan Campbell finding the net with a free kick midway through the half. Melissa Lawley also hit the woodwork for the visitors, as they went away 1-0 winners.
Leicester City’s Mackenzie Smith tapped home Natasha Flint’s low cross after only six minutes. Connie Schofield slammed home the second after the interval, Aileen Whelan making sure of the points at Blackburn with a third.
Group C
Birmingham City 3-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
London City Lionesses 2-2 West Ham United (West Ham win shoot-out 10-9)
Libby Smith scored at the second attempt for Birmingham City, Jamie Finn setting up Jade Pennock to double the lead early in the second half. Lee Geum-min swiftly responded, Lucy Quinn restored the two-goal cushion, followed by late hope for Brighton from a converted Danielle Carter penalty.
Lois Heuchan gave the Lionesses a 26th-minute lead over the Hammers and Sarah Ewens headed them two up after the hour mark. Viviane Asseyi quickly pulled one back and Dagny Brynjarsdottir equalised in added time. Penalties for the extra point took some time, with West Ham eventually 10-9 winners.
Group D
Lewes 2-0 Charlton Athletic
Bristol City 4-0 Crystal Palace
Lewes led Charlton by the only goal of the first 45, Poppy Soper saved well but Paula Howells slotted home the rebound.The win was sealed in stoppage time, Ellie Hack heading in from a corner.
Abi Harrison bagged a brace in the opening 25 minutes at home to Crystal Palace. Chloe Mustaki made it 3-0 from a corner to the back post, Emily Syme completing the scoring from 25 yards.
Group E
Reading 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Coventry United 2-0 Southampton
Spurs took an early lead when Eveliina Sumanen took a quick free kick and Ashleigh Neville fired into the far corner of the net. It was 2-0 after half an hour, Cho So-hyun’s close-range shot blocked by Jackie Burns but Nikola Karczewska stabbed home the loose ball. Amalie Eikeland hit the bar when Becky Spencer’s clearance went straight to her. Reading’s Emma Harries won a penalty right at the death, Natasha Dowie converting.
Coventry United struck a couple of quick goals after the interval against Southampton. Mary McAteer set up Meeha Dudley-Jones to slots it, before Ebony Wiseman found the net from 25 yards.
