Gameweek 3 of the Barclays WSL2 opened with a moment of reflection, as all fixtures observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Liverpool manager Matt Beard – a two-time WSL champion and one of the league’s most respected figures.
The weekend delivered derby drama, landmark wins and late heartbreak. Sunderland edged local rivals Durham in the Wear Derby to stay unbeaten, while Birmingham City hit four past Newcastle to move top of the table. Charlton’s perfect start ended with a stalemate against newly promoted Ipswich, and Crystal Palace claimed their first win of the season at Nottingham Forest. Portsmouth picked up their first win (and points), and at St Mary’s Lexi Lloyd-Smith once again proved the super-sub, firing Bristol City to a late winner over Southampton.
Here’s your WSL2 Gameweek 3 roundup – every match, goal and key stat.
Fri 19th Sep 25 | Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground
Sunderland maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a narrow 2–1 win over local rivals Durham in the Wear Derby.
The Black Cats broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Emily Scarr headed in her third goal of the season after an Atkinson cross-come-shot fell kindly in the box.
With five minutes remaining, Katie Kitching doubled the lead in spectacular fashion – picking up the ball inside her own half, driving forward, and rifling a strike into the top corner from 20 yards.
Durham responded three minutes later but it proved too little too late. The visitors pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages but couldn’t find a way through.
The result leaves Sunderland second on goal difference, while Durham slip down to eighth after back-to-back defeats.
Match Stats
Lineups
Subs
Sunderland
Durham
Match Highlights
Sun 21st Sep 25 | St Andrew’s
Birmingham City produced an attacking masterclass to beat Newcastle United 4–2 at St Andrew’s – making it ten goals in just three games for the Blues.
The hosts struck early. Veatriki Sarri (9′) opened the scoring with a speculative effort from distance that somehow found the net, before Batcheba Louis (14′) doubled the lead with a controlled volley. Newcastle threatened to respond but couldn’t find a way past keeper Lucy Thomas, and just before half-time Lilly Crosthwaite (43′) pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire in Birmingham’s third.
After the restart, Birmingham thought they had a fourth only for an offside flag to deny them, and Newcastle responded when Jasmine McQuade (60′) headed in from a pinpoint Emma Sevenius cross. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed twelve minutes later as Oceana Hurtre (72′) punished slack defending to restore the three-goal cushion. Beth Lumsden struck late for Newcastle, but the result was never in doubt.
Birmingham’s win ended Newcastle’s unbeaten start and lifted the Blues to the top of the table on goal difference, putting them in pole position in the title race.
Match Stats
Lineups
Subs
Birmingham City
Newcastle United
Match Highlights
Sun 21st Sep 25 | The Valley
Charlton Athletic’s perfect start to the season came to an end in a 0–0 draw with newly promoted Ipswich Town.
The Addicks had the better of the chances but couldn’t find a way past Ipswich’s resolute defence. In truth, it was a scrappy contest, short on quality in the final third and clear-cut openings.
For Ipswich, it was a milestone – their first point at this level – and a reward for their discipline and determination.
Charlton, meanwhile, drop off the summit for the first time, slipping to third on goal difference despite extending their unbeaten run.
Match Stats
Lineups
Subs
Charlton Athletic
Ipswich Town
Match Highlights
Sun 21st Sep 25 | The City Ground
Crystal Palace secured their first win of the season at the third attempt with a 2–1 victory away at Nottingham Forest.
The Eagles went ahead on 18 minutes when Justine Vanhaevermaet finished superbly, volleying a looping ball over the keeper after a deflection dropped kindly in the box. Their second arrived on 32 minutes as Kirsty Howat reacted quickest to another loose ball, somehow squeezing her shot in from an impossible angle at the far post.
Forest registered five shots on target to Palace’s two, but weren’t rewarded until stoppage time when substitute Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (90+3′) lashed in a deflected strike from distance. Palace, however, stood firm to see out the win.
The result lifts Palace up the table and provides a much-needed springboard, while Forest will need to be far more clinical on the ball in the final third if are to compete at this level.
Match Stats
Lineups
Subs
Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace
Match Highlights
Sun 21st Sep 25 | Fratton Park
Portsmouth scored their first goal, earned their first points, and registered their first win of the season with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Sheffield United at Fratton Park.
The decisive moment came in the 12th minute when Meg Hornby’s free-kick somehow found the top corner – the kind you’ll happily claim, even if you didn’t quite mean it.
Sheffield United thought they had equalised when Amy Andrews tucked in her own penalty rebound after the spot-kick cannoned back off the post, only for the goal to be ruled out for an infringement — though quite what for remains unclear.
The Blades continued to press and created several good openings, but couldn’t find a way through.
The result sees Portsmouth finally on the board with their first points of the campaign and a much-needed confidence boost. For Sheffield United, it was another frustrating afternoon – winless after three games and rooted near the bottom of the table.
Lineups
Subs
Portsmouth
Sheffield United
Match Highlights
Sun 21st Sep 25 | St Mary’s
Bristol City snatched all three points late on with a 1–0 win away at Southampton, thanks to substitute Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s 88th-minute strike – her second goal off the bench in as many games.
Both sides had big chances to win it but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. Mary Ward somehow hit the post from five yards for Saints, and it looked as though the match was drifting towards a stalemate.
But in the 88th minute Lloyd-Smith, introduced at half-time, drilled a low shot into the far corner from the edge of the box to break Southampton hearts and hand City victory.
The result lifts Bristol City into fourth place and firmly into the promotion mix. Southampton, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the campaign and were left frustrated after failing to make their pressure count.
Lineups and Player Ratings
Subs
Southampton
Bristol City
