Narrow victories see Durham and Aston Villa first and second respectively in the FA Women’s Championship, while Sheffield United thrashed Leicester City 7-1.
FA Women’s Championship – 25 August results:
Durham 2-1 Crystal Palace (Att: 512)
Charlton Athletic 0-0 Lewes (Att: 281)
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 London Bees (Att: 457)
London City Lionesses 2-3 Aston Villa
Sheffield United 7-1 Leicester City WFC (Att: 503)
Last-gasp goal leaves Durham top
Durham came from behind to make it two wins from two thanks to Sarah Robson’s 90th minute decider against Crystal Palace.
The Eagles were ahead inside 10 minutes, Ashleigh Goddard nodding home from close range after Sarah Wilson cleared Cherelle Khassal’s effort off the line,
The Wildcats were level 4 minutes into the second half from a Lisa Robertson rocket from 25 yards out and then from a late Kathryn Hill free kick Robson forced the ball home at the far post.
.@DurhamWFC grab the winner at the death! They had been pushing & pushing & pushing. @Sarahmacmac turning in @kathryn_hill6‘s free kick to spark the celebrations. #DURvCRY ends 2-1 in the @FAWC_ 👏☀️ pic.twitter.com/pyEFn5Op5H
— Jen O’Neill (@SheKicksdotnet) August 25, 2019
Villa overturn Lionesses lead
Aston Villa fought back from 2-1 down at London City Lionesses to take the points with two goals in a quick succession.
Villa’s Amy West found the far corner from outside the box with only 10 minutes but Elizabeta Ejupi fired the Lionesses level via an indirect free-kick just inside the area.
Ejupi found the net again early in the second period from a Leanne Cowan cross but the visitors made it 2-2 when Nat Haigh replied from a Marisa Ewers through-ball.
Three minutes later and Villa were in front through substitute Shania Hayles, although the visitors did need two point-blank saves by Sian Rogers to prevent Poppy Wilson from equalising.
Seven up for Sheffield
Today’s player of the match was debutant @aimeerose46.
Two goals for the midfielder this afternoon!#SUFCW 🔴 pic.twitter.com/CfvN0B2UMG
— Sheffield United Women (@sufc_women) August 25, 2019
Sheffield United hit Leicester City with four goals in the first 25 minutes on the way to a 7-1 scoreline.
The Blades took just 90 seconds to score as a Sophie Barker corner flew straight in and another such delivery saw Leandra Little head against the bar.
Katie Wilkinson netted the next two, firstly when following up a block on the line of Olivia Ferguson’s shot, secondly to cap a flowing move.
Aimee Palmer made it 4-0 when connecting with a pass from Veatriki Sarri after the hosts had broken swiftly from a Foxes’ corner and 5-0 on half-time with Sarri converting from the spot after a handball decision.
Palmer set up Ferguson for the sixth and got on the scoresheet a second time with a free-kick, before Lachante Paul’s consolation goal.
Whinnett wins it for stubborn Bees
The match winning moment, courtesy of @Nikita21Out!
Whinnett, well… Won it! 😉
3 points for the Bees 🙌#LondonBees 🐝 pic.twitter.com/4btOdskpwi
— London Bees 🐝 (@LondonBees) August 25, 2019
Nikita Whinnett netted London Bees’ first goal of the season and it proved enough to give them victory away at Blackburn who were making their home debut in the FAWC.
It was one to forget for Rovers recent signing Lauren Thomas, who broke her collarbone early in the match.
The Bees were grateful to goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill who made several first-half saves, including a tip over to deny Jess Holbrook and a diving stop to keep out Sophie Charlton’s shot.
Six minutes before the interval, Whinnett latched onto a long ball and lobbed Danielle Hill for what proved to be the winner.
Natasha Fenton forced Quantrill into a diving save after the break, while the Bees should have had a second but Hill denied Bonnie Horwood and then Serena Fletcher blocked on the line to prevent Lucy Loomes scoring the rebound.
Rooks rock bar but end goalless
Charlton Athletic’s opening game of the campaign was a tight goalless draw with Lewes, who went closest with two efforts coming back off the bar.
Charley Boswell and Jess King were the two unlucky Rooks players who saw their efforts rattle off the woodwork early in the second half.
Charlton could have pinched all three points late on, but an unmarked Charlie Estcourt blazed over from six yards.
Lewes stay unbeaten and sit third in the table.
