Local rivals went head-to-head this weekend in London, the south coast, and the north east in the Championship. Bragging rights were won, early pushes for the top spot continued, and two clubs were left still searching for their first point.
Here’s a roundup of the weekend’s action.
Sheffield United 1-2 Birmingham City
Friday night saw Birmingham go top of the Championship with a late win over struggling Sheffield United. The Blues took an early lead in the game just three minutes into the tie. Christie Harrison-Murray sent a corner in for Neve Herron to head home. The Blades, looking for their first point of the season, levelled things midway through the first half as Ellen Molloy danced through some challenges and shot into the bottom corner.
It looked like a much-needed point for the home team until City won a penalty with five minutes to play. Louise Quinn was brought down with the ball coming in from a corner. Simone Magill converted to hand her side all three points. Sheffield United can take comfort from a battling performance against one of the early front-runners but they remain in big trouble.
Bristol City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Bristol City completed back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they beat Blackburn Rovers at Ashton Gate. City scored at the very start and end of the game to squash Rovers’ hopes of pulling away from the bottom two. Lexi-Lloyd Smith continued her excellent start to the season by opening the scoring on two minutes after being put through one-on-one with Poppy Soper.
The goal and celebration was a poignant one. Lloyd-Smith’s younger brother, Jesse, was tragically shot and murdered in Peckham in July and in the 20th minute, Ashton Gate rose to applaud in remembrance of him.
After Eve Clarkson was stretchered off for the visitors, Maria Edwards took advantage of defensive uncertainty to level the game. But it would be City who would grab a dramatic winner. Emily Syme was teed up on the edge of the area before slamming a superb curling effort into the corner.
London City Lionesses 2-0 Charlton Athletic
London City handed Charlton Athletic their first defeat of the season in the league as they edged the London derby at Hayes Lane. A tight first half saw both sides come close but London City took a crucial lead ten minutes after the break. Sofia Jakobsson crossed for Isobel Goodwin to finish with a fine header. The win was sealed when Jakobsson put her own name on the scoresheet as she kept her calm to finish when one on one with Sophie Whitehouse. The win lifts London City above Charlton in the table with both sides now sat on 13 points.
Portsmouth 0-5 Southampton
Southampton took home the south coast bragging rights as they hammered Portsmouth on Sunday. Despite a dominant performance, it took until just before half time for the visitors to take the lead. Pompey captain Riva Casley put the ball into her own net.
The second half saw the Saints become ruthless in front of goal as childhood Southampton fan Megan Collett made it two. Southampton then scored three times in the final few minutes to put the game to bed. Molly Pike set up Rianna Dean for number three before Pike scored herself to make it 4-0. Dean added a second of the game to stick the knife in and give Southampton a memorable win.
Sunderland 1-2 Newcastle United
Newly promoted Championship side Newcastle United made it three wins from four games as they beat Sunderland in a high-intensity derby. In front of more than 2,500 visiting fans, United took the lead through Beth Lumsden. The forward cut in from the left to stun the Stadium of Light. Lumsden added her second of the game just after half-time when she scored direct from a corner to give the Toon a sense of control.
Sunderland worked their way back into the game and Emily Scarr halved the deficit with twelve minutes to go. The majority of the 14,000 strong crowd went home disappointed, with Newcastle holding on to take the derby day spoils.
“We needed that reaction!” 📢
Manager Becky Langley reacts to yesterday’s Tyne-Wear derby victory!
— Newcastle United Women (@NUFCWomen) October 14, 2024
What’s next in the Championship?
Sunderland come up against another local rival next Sunday as they visit Durham in a 12pm kick-off. Newcastle are also involved in a lunchtime kick-off as they host Charlton Athletic. In a huge game at the bottom of the table, Blackburn come up against Sheffield United and Bristol City welcome Portsmouth to Ashton Gate. Southampton look to follow up their derby win as they take on Birmingham City.
