London City Lionesses go top of the Barclays Women’s Championship
by Arthur · November 20, 2022
London City Lionesses took advantage of Bristol City’s loss to Birmingham to leapfrog them into first place in the Barclays Women’s Championship
London City Lionesses beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to move to the top of the Barclays Women’s Championship table.
They moved above Bristol City, who fell to a surprise defeat at mid-table Birmingham City.
There was victory for Charlton in the south London derby, a six-minute hat-trick at Durham and a tight draw between Blackburn and Southampton as the second team took center stage this weekend.
Lionesses roar to the top
Amy Rodger’s early strike helped the London City Lionesses climb to the top of the Championship and spoil Sheffield United’s party.
With a record crowd of 11,137 watching at Bramall Lane, Rodgers and the Atlanta Primus scored in each half to fire the visitors to a 2–0 victory that saw the hosts move 10th in the table.
Rodgers opened the scoring after just five minutes, finding the bottom corner from distance to break the back of the Blades.
Primus added a second for the Lionesses with ten minutes remaining after being put through on goal by Jamie-Lee Napier.
💭 “Credit goes to the players and the way they persevered throughout.”
Head Coach, Melissa Phillips gives her thoughts after the match on a memorable win on the road over Sheffield United 👊#The pride 🔷 pic.twitter.com/QAfqrmB4zZ
— London City Lionesses (@LC_Lionesses) 20 November 2022
The Vixens can’t answer against the Blues
The result meant Bristol City needed a win to regain top spot, but they fell to a shock 1-0 defeat at Birmingham City
The first half ended goalless, but there were positive signs for the Blues right from the start.
They were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Siobhan Wilson’s ball was headed to Jade Pennock to put the visitors ahead.
Bristol City pressed for an equaliser, but Blues goalkeeper Lucy Thomas made two brilliant saves to seal victory for the visitors.
Addicks triumph in the South London derby
Emily Simpkins and Melissa Johnson fired Charlton Athletic to a 2-1 derby win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Simpkins opened the scoring from the spot with just 17 minutes on the clock after Johnson was brought down in the box.
Johnson grabbed Charlton’s second on the stroke of half-time, curling the ball past Fran Kitching.
Fliss Gibbons pulled one back for Palace after the break, scoring a stunning free-kick to set up a grand finale in south London.
However, the Addicks kept moving within four points of the summit.
🗣️ ‘We’ve set the tone there!’@riohardy_ reflects on the win over Coventry – and a first hat-trick for the club! ⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NF1ezmnFkE
— Durham Women FC (@DurhamWFC) 20 November 2022
Hardy hat-trick sinks United
Rio Hardy scored an incredible six-minute hat-trick as Durham cruised to a 5-1 win over Coventry United.
All five of the Wildcats’ goals at Butts Park Arena came in the first half as they picked up their third league win of the season.
Jessica Clarke ran onto Sarah Robson’s long pass before lifting the ball over Coventry goalkeeper Jodie Whiteman to put the visitors ahead.
Saoirse Noonan turned on Beth Hepple’s pass before hitting an unstoppable strike into the top corner to double the lead.
Hardy then started her rapid scoring run six minutes before the break, grabbing a quickfire hat-trick to make it 5-0 to her side at the break.
Simran Jhamat bundled the ball into the net as the hosts grabbed a late consolation goal.
Hack helps Lewes beat the Lady Black Cats
Ellie Hack’s late goal gave Lewes a narrow 1-0 win at Sunderland.
After a scoreless first half, the match seemed to be heading for 0-0.
However, Hack struck in the 83rd minute to give her side their third win in as many games.
The result sees Lewes climb up to sixth while Sunderland remain in 11th, four points ahead of Coventry United.
Change shared between Rovers and Saints
A late strike from Saffron Jordan gave Blackburn Rovers a point against Southampton at Ewood Park.
Southampton took the lead through Katie Wilkinson early in the second half when the Saints star finished off a slick passing move.
Jordan fired home at the far post with five minutes remaining, meeting Natasha Fenton’s excellent free-kick from the left wing to ensure Blackburn got a deserved point.
