Bristol City sealed promotion from the Barclays Women’s Championship with victory over Charlton Athletic in front of 7,045 at Ashton Gate.
Crystal Palace 4-1 Lewes
Durham 1-2 Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers 2-3 London City Lionesses
Coventry United 0-4 Southampton
Sheffield United 4-2 Sunderland
Bristol City 3-0 Charlton Athletic
Bristol City confirmed their return to the top flight when seeing off Charlton Athletic at Ashton Gate. Grace Clinton won the ball on the edge of the box and found the back of the net to put City ahead. Abi Harrison marked her 100th appearance by netting direct from a corner. Fran Bentley denied Mel Johnson from close range to keep a clean sheet, while Brooke Aspin and Ffion Morgan increased the lead.
SENSATIONAL!!!!pic.twitter.com/K4ME5Azb6b
— Bristol City WFC (@bristolcitywfc) April 23, 2023
Birmingham City completed successive victories over Durham to remain second, Lucy Quinn’s third-minute corner for went straight in, Charlie Devlin doubled the advantage just before the break. Sarah Wilson halved the deficit five minutes after the interval when following up Beth Hepple’s free-kick.
Third-placed London City Lionesses went in at half time three up at Blackburn, Amy Rodgers’ opener added to by a Karin Muya brace. Rovers fought back through Saffron Jordan and Lauren Thomas but fell short.
Sheffield United built a 4-1 lead over Sunderland, Sophie Haywood’s goal and a Courtney Sweetman-Kirk header brought a response from Emily Scarr, before Mia Enderby and Bex Rayner added to the advantage. Liz Ejupi got a late second for the Black Cats.
Crystal Palace made a flying start in a 4-1 defeat of Lewes, Molly Sharpe put them ahead in the first minute and set up Hollie Holding to double the lead with just ten minutes played. Grace Palmer slotted home a penalty for the Rooks but Coral-Jade Haines restored the Eagles two-goal cushion also from the spot in first-half stoppage-time. Lews had Emily Kraft stretchered off and 15 minutes were added at the end, in which Rianna Dean made it 4-1.
Southampton ran out 4-0 winners at Coventry United, with all the goals in the second half. Katie Wilkinson won and converted a penalty, Ella Pusey, Sophia Pharaoh and Beth Lumsden adding one each.
Midweek match
Wednesday 26 April – Blackburn Rovers v Lewes (Bamber Bridge FC, 6.45pm)
