All five FAWC games were away wins including Manchester United’s 5-1 result at Spurs, a single-goal success for Durham at Lewes and Sheffield United’s late fightback at Leicester City.
FA WC results 31 March
Lewes 0-1 Durham (Att: 344)
Leicester City WFC 1-2 Sheffield United
London Bees 1-2 Charlton Athletic
Millwall Lionesses 1-3 Aston Villa (Att: 296)
Tottenham Hotspur 1-5 Manchester United (Att: 1,607)
Zelem’s early double sets up Man United win
Leaders Manchester United stormed to a 5-1 victory at second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, whose own promotion dream took something of a blow.
Katie Zelem struck twice in the first 15 minutes with a looping shot over Chloe Morgan and then a penalty after Leah Galton was fouled in the box.
Jenna Schillaci replied on the half four by curling home a free kick and close to the interval Renee Hector was close to levelling from Emma Beckett’s set-piece.
The Reds restored their two-goal cushion soon after the restart though, Galton’s cross finished by Mollie Green.
In the final 10 minutes United scored twice more with headers, Jess Sigsworth and Galton hitting the back of the net.
Gears gets Wildcats winner
Nicki Gears’ first-half goal gave Durham victory on their long trek to Lewes, keeping up their promotion push.
Sarah Kempson delivered the ball for Jess King to head against the crossbar but against the run of play on 32 minutes, Gears gave Durham the lead after Lewes lost the ball from their own free kick.
Inside the last 15 minutes, Gears’ cross hit the bar, while at the other end Kempson shot just over the bar from 25 yards.
It needed a couple of crucial late Hannah Reid saves though to protect the visitors slender advantage.
Blades battle back
Sheffield United were 2-1 winners away at Leicester City despite going behind on 73 minutes, a result that lifted them two places to fifth.
The Blades’ Sian Tierney made a crucial block to stop a certain goal but the deadlock was finally broken when second-half substitute Hayley James headed home from a corner.
Cue Sheffield’s own super-sub Ellie Gilliatt to fire home from distance, after which Ebony Salmon hit the home woodwork and Jade Pennock again scored with a last-minute set-piece.
Addicks beat Bees
Fourth-placed Charlton Athletic stayed interested in the promotion race with a 2-1 result away at London Bees.
The Addicks created some early chances but Sarah Quantrill twice kept out efforts from Kit Graham.
Liz Ejupi was denied by both Ocean Ronaldsen and later the Bees’ goalkeeper but she made the most of a defensive mix up to net on 33 minutes.
Charlotte Gurr hit a home post early in the second half, before Graham doubled the Addicks’ lead with a dozen minutes to play.
Lauren Pickett rifled in a last-minute half-volley for a Bees’ consolation goal.
Villa victorious at Millwall
Aston Villa went seventh on goal-difference following a 3-1 result on the road at Millwall.
A mistake at the back by Millwall saw Jodie Hutton pick up the ball and unleash a rocket past Rhiannon Stewart to make it 1-0 to Villa after only 7 minutes.
The Lionesses were level on 20 minutes when Beth Lumsden’s free kick flew in off a Villa head but on the stroke of half time, a low cross led to Tanisha Smith side-footing in the visitors’ second from close range.
The points were sealed midway through the second half, Aoife Hurley rising highest to power a header past Stewart.
