Championship Roundup: Birmingham win top of the table clash

The top two in the Barclays Women’s Championship went head to head on Sunday with Birmingham City coming out on top. There were important victories elsewhere for Bristol City and Sunderland while Portsmouth picked up their first point. Here’s a roundup of all of the action.

London City Lionesses 1-2 Birmingham City

Birmingham City went three points clear at the top of the Championship table after beating second placed London City Lionesses at Hayes Lane. Amy Merricks’ side were beaten last weekend by Newcastle United but bounced back in style against another promotion rival. The win was secured thanks to their two centre backs, Neve Herron and Gemma Lawley with Georgia Brougham netting a late goal for the Pride.

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Lawley pounced mid-way through the first half to divert a header into the corner of the net to give City the lead. Herron then contributed at both ends. First blocking a shot from Kosovore Asllani before heading it in off the bar for 2-0 in first half stoppage time. Lucy Thomas denied substitute Izzy Goodwin on the hour mark as London City tried to get back into the game. They eventually found their way through as Brougham scrambled the ball home with four minutes to go. The goal however wasn’t enough to prevent Birmingham from taking home the points.

Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Sunderland made it three Championship wins in a row as they edged past a battling Blackburn Rovers. The Lasses will be happy to have come through a physical encounter to produce the type of win they’ll need to climb the table. They took the lead on twenty eight minutes. Mary McAteer appeared to be fouled in the build up but Katie Kitching was there to calmly finish. It looked as though the home side would press on after that but it was the visitors who struck next.

Emma Taylor beat the offside trap from a long free kick to level things just before half time. The introduction of Peggy McInnes was key for Sunderland retaking the lead. With seventeen minutes to play, she played a sumptuous through ball to Eleanor Dale to score. That’s four goals in three games for Dale, who joined the club in the summer and is starting to really find her feet back in the Championship. Blackburn threw everything at Sunderland in the final few minutes but couldn’t find a breakthrough.

Bristol City 2-0 Newcastle United

Bristol City made the most of their chances as they picked up a crucial win over Newcastle United. The in-form Shania Hayles, on her return to her former club, created an early chance for Jasmin M’Quade but the ball was sent wide. After half chances for both sides, Mari Ward put City into the lead with her first Ashton Gate goal just before the break, reacting quickly for a near post finish.

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City would then double the lead shortly after half-time. Lexi Lloyd-Smith tapped into the empty net following a good save from Claudia Moan. It was then a case of holding on to what they had for City, especially when Sille Struck was sent off for two yellow cards within three minutes of one another. The visitors couldn’t find the breakthrough, though, with Amber-Keegan Stobbs’ effort the closest they came to getting back into the game. The win takes Bristol City up to sixth, above their opponents in the table.

Portsmouth 1-1 Sheffield United

Portsmouth picked up their first point since promotion in a hard fought contest with fellow strugglers Sheffield United. The Blades took the lead on twenty minutes. Maria Farrugia held her nerve when she went through on goal to slot home in style. Jacqui Hand then had a header cleared off the line right at the end of the half and the missed chance would end up being costly. Pompey came out the blocks quickly in the second half and were rewarded when Lily Dent fired the ball in to spark hopes of a first Championship win. Both sides had to settle for a point with United staying three points ahead of Portsmouth in the table.

Southampton 1-1 Durham

A tight game between two of the early challengers ended with a point apiece at St. Mary’s. Remi Allen’s Saints had the lead on nineteen minutes as Aimee Palmer lofted a beautiful lob over visiting keeper Tatiana Saunders. Sarah Wilson headed wide with Durham’s best effort of the first half but it was the hosts who went into the break in front. After Freya Gregory shot into the side netting, Durham survived a goalmouth scramble to stay in touch in the game. Their efforts were proved worthy when they scored a late equaliser. Carly Johns crossed the ball through to Mollie Lambert to level the score. The draw leaves Southampton in fourth and Durham in third place in the table.

What’s next in the Championship?

Next week sees top club Birmingham take their rest week so others will be keen to take advantage. Durham host London City Lionesses in what looks to be the pick of the fixtures while Charlton are at home to Bristol City. Newcastle look to get back on track as they take on Southampton and there’s a huge game at the bottom with Blackburn taking on Portsmouth. Sunderland will look to make it four wins in a row as they visit Sheffield United.

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