FA Women’s Championship leaders Aston Villa won narrowly at Coventry United while second-placed London City Lionesses left it late at Crystal Palace.
FAWC results – 17 November
Durham 3-1 London Bees (Att: 656)
Lewes 1-2 Sheffield United (Att: 503)
Charlton Athletic 1-1 Leicester City WFC (Att: 203)
Coventry United 2-3 Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 1-2 London City Lionesses (Att: 389)
Villa stay top
Coventry United quickly levelled against league leaders Aston Villa but the visitors ran out 3-1 winners.
Shania Hayles’ opener brought a reply from Amber Hughes but goals by Nadine Hanssen and Kerri Welsh gave Villa a 3-1 interval lead.
The hosts hit back again through Shannon O’Brien on 54 minutes but could not find an equaliser again.
Super subs see Lionesses keep up the pace
London City Lionesses remain a point behind the leaders after coming from behind to win late on at Crystal Palace.
Ashleigh Goddard gave the Eagles a 65th-minute lead but Vanessa Susanna came off the bench to quickly level.
With 4 minutes to go another substitute played a major part, as Elizabeta Ejupi turned in Juliette Kemppi’s cross to seal all three points.
Ciara Watling’s first touch for Palace was to strike the bar as the hosts were denied a draw in added time.
Blades beat Rooks
A first-half double proved just enough for Sheffield United to take the points at Lewes and keep them third on goal-difference.
Jade Pennock opened the scoring from a Maddy Cusack through ball and Veatriki Sarri doubled the Blades advantage from distance.
Katie Rood also struck from long-tange to bring Lewes back into the match with 30 minutes left, in which time the Blades’ Kasia Lipka ended 553 days out by coming off the bench.
Durham defeat Bees
Beth Hepple scored from the spot and also contributed an assist as fourth-placed Durham defeated London Bees 3-1.
Sarah Robson forced home a Hepple corner but the bees hit back when Amelia Hazard raced clear to slot past the keeper.
Abby Holmes won the Wildcats a penalty on the hour mark and Hepple converted, the points being sealed late on when Megan Bell’s cross was flicked home by Iris Achterhof.
Landmark leveller for Leicester
Charlton Athletic chalked up a third point of the campaign as Leicester City denied them all three on the day.
Charlotte Devlin exchanged passes with Charlie Estcourt before giving the Addicks the lead on half-time.
Lachante Paul’s header levelled the game with 20 minutes to go – it was the 1,000th goal in the history of Leicester City Women.
