#FAWSL: Manchester City Women see off Royals’ fightback

Manchester City’s three-goal Nikita Parris celebrates. (Photo: Alan Walter for The FA)

Manchester City moved five points clear at the top of the FAWSL with a 4-3 win at Reading, the Royals pulling two goals back to give the Cityzens a nervous last few minutes.

Tuesday 12 March 

FA WC

Aston Villa P-P Tottenham Hotspur

Wednesday 13 March

FA WSL

Liverpool 0-4 Chelsea (Att: 237)
Reading 3-4 Manchester City (Att: 449)
West Ham United 0-1 Everton (Att: 607)
Yeovil Town 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Att: 408)

FA WC

Charlton Athletic 3-0 Millwall Lionesses (Att: 638)

Parris first-half treble too much for Reading to overcome

Brooke Chaplen gave the Royals a 4th-minute lead but a little over 10 minutes later, Nikita Parris chested down Jill Scott’s cross to level via the post to equalise.

Manchester City took control with two more goals by Parris in a nine-minute spell before the break, Demi Stokes delivering and again Scott with the assists.

Nine minutes after the restart and Parris turned provider for Stokes to net after a quick one-two and make it 4-1.

However, Reading were not done yet and Fara Williams converted from the spot after Remi Allen was brought down, Kirsty Pearce then bundling in on 87 minutes from Ellie Roebuck’s parry to set up a tense finish.

Kirby hits hat-trick for four-goal Chelsea

Fran Kirby of Chelsea scores her third goal against Liverpool. (Photo: Jon Super for The FA)

Chelsea ran out 4-0 winners over Liverpool at Prenton Park and Fran Kirby got the first of her three goals on 16 minutes when played through the middle.

Six minutes later and Kirby’s shot was handled in the box and she converted from the resulting penalty.

It might have been 3-0 before the break but Erin Cuthbert’s bullet header from Karen Carney’s cross brought a diving save from Ann-Katrin Berger.

Five minutes into the second half and Kirby completed her hat-trick with an assist from Ramona Bachmann, Berger getting a touch but unable to keep it out.

Then in the closing seconds, substitute Adelina Engman headed home from Bachmann’s cross.

Super sub sinks Hammers

Substitute Hannah Cain struck 2 minutes from time to give Everton a crucial three points at West Ham, which put them five clear of bottom of the table Yeovil Town.

Alisha Lehmann forced Toffees’ goalkeeper Kirstie Levell into an early save and while Leanne Kiernan was often a threat for the Hammers, Taylor Hinds might have scored for Everton from close range when set up by Gabby George.

Hinds was later denied by the cross bar before Cain – who came off the bench on 70 minutes – raced to collect a through-ball and coolly finish.

Glovers get fourth point

Yeovil Town’s Ellie Mason celebrates her equaliser against Brighton. (Photo: Sean Ryan for The FA)

Yeovil Town made it four points for the season so far after Ellie Mason equalised against Brighton.

Megan Walsh had made a great stop to keep out a Kate Natkiel effort but Victoria Williams headed home form a Megan Connolly corner on 28 minute.

An acrobatic Emily Donovan effort was saved by Sophie Harris although on 64 minutes Mason turned in Hannah Short’s free kick.

Mason might have later won it but headed wide, while Ini Umotong got on the end of a Fliss Gibbons cutback and hit the woodwork for the Seagulls.

Charlton victorious at The Valley

Chartlon Athletic gained ground on the top two in the FA Women’s Championship after three goals in the last 10 minutes of the first half saw them defeat Millwall Lionesses.

Liz Ejupi crossed for Kit Graham to slide the ball home before Millwall’s Evie Clarke hit a long-range volley against the bar.

The Addicks went straight up the other end and Graham fed Charlotte Gurr who netted from close range.

The visitors threatened again from distance as Katie Startup turned a Michelle Young effort onto the bar and Harley Bennett cleared.

Then on 45 minutes, Ejupi picked up the ball 30 yards out and fired past Chloe Sansom and into the corner of the net.

Fixture for Thursday 14 March:

FA WSL – Arsenal v Bristol City (Boreham Wood FC, 7.30pm)

Upcoming Events

Would you like to read more women’s football news just like this? Sign up to receive the She Kicks Women’s Football newsletter