All the top three in The FA Women’s Championship ended 2019 with wins but unbeaten leaders Aston Villa had to come from behind.
FA WC results – 15 December
Crystal Palace 1-4 Durham
Leicester City WFC 1-4 Sheffield United
Lewes P-P Charlton Athletic
London Bees P-P Blackburn Rovers
Aston Villa 3-1 London City Lionesses
Villa overcome early deficit
Aston Villa stayed top of the FAWC but only after coming back from an early goal against them by London City Lionesses.
Ellie Mason gave the Lionesses a great start with a solo effort but Emma Follis equalised on 11 minutes and Emily Syme fired Aston Villa in front by the interval.
City’s Harley Bennett struck the bar with a free-kick but Marisa Ewers tied up the points with a l9ng-range strike.
Wilkinson in sharp form for Blades
Katie Wilkinson scored three times as Sheffield United ran out 4-1 winners at Leicester City and stayed second in the league.
Sophie Barker set up both Wilkinson and Aimee Palmer to give the Blades a 2-0 lead but Paige Bailey-Gayle got the Foxes back in the game on 33 minutes.
Wilkinson quickly restored the advantage and completed her first treble for the club late on from a Jade Pennock pass.
Hepple hat-trick eases Durham to away win
A Beth Hepple hat-trick helped third-placed Durham to a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Hepple scored twice in the first quarter or so of the match, placing a free-kick into the top corner before punishing Palace for losing possession.
Hepple volleyed against the bar and over and the Wildcats’ Molly Sharpe had an effort ruled out for offside before Becky Salicki forced in the third before the break via a corner.
The hosts pulled a goal back through new signing Amber Stobbs but after Lucy Gillett conceded a penalty for a foul on Iris Achterof, Hepple completed her treble from the spot.
Lionesses slip to sixth in FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking
