WSL2 25/26 GW2 Round-Up: Charlton Lead the Way as Palace and Saints Play Out Classic

Charlton came from behind to beat Durham 2–1, a result that could prove pivotal in the promotion race. Both clubs are expected to challenge come the end of the season.

Beth Hepple (32′) marked her 100th club goal to give Durham the lead, finishing from close range after Charlton failed to clear a cross, having already rattled the bar from distance earlier.

The Addicks’ bench made the difference. American forward Gillian Kenney (75′) equalised just six minutes after coming on — her first goal in English football — before Lucy Fitzgerald (83′) smashed home the winner from close range to complete the turnaround. Charlton pressed for more, but Durham keeper Catriona Sheppard produced key saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

Charlton’s second straight win keeps them top with six points from two games, while Durham taste defeat for the first time this season.

Match Stats

Durham

Charlton

Crystal Palace’s return to the VBS Community Stadium delivered an eight-goal thriller, as they shared a breathless 4–4 draw with Southampton.

Southampton led twice, Palace three times, but neither could be separated at the final whistle. The Saints struck first inside three minutes when Michaela McAlonie poked home from close range. Palace hit back through a well-taken Abbie Larkin (24′) finish after a superb pass from Hannah Blanchard, before Justine Vanhaevermaet’s header from a corner made it 2–1 to the hosts.

Just before half-time, Ellie Brazil (41′) levelled for Southampton (2-2), tapping in from Ella Simpson’s rifled cross. After the break, Tara Bourne’s penalty (48′) restored the visitors’ lead (2-3), only for Larkin to respond with a stunning long-range strike to make it 3–3. Ashleigh Weerden (60′) edged Palace in front once more with a close-range finish (4-3), but Saints defender Meg Collett (64′) surged forward to squeeze in the equaliser at the near post and complete the scoring.

Southampton remain unbeaten with four points after scoring four goals for the second week running, while Palace collect their first point of the campaign in memorable fashion.

Match Stats

Crystal Palace

Southampton

Ipswich Town’s first home game at their new Colchester base ended in a narrow 0–1 defeat to fellow newcomers Nottingham Forest.

Both sides were looking to bounce back from opening-week losses, and a tight first half produced few clear chances. Just after the restart, Forest struck the decisive blow. A 48th-minute set piece wasn’t cleared, and Spanish striker Nahikari García reacted quickest to stab the loose ball home from close range.

Ipswich pushed for a response – with Sophie Peskett lively in attack – but they couldn’t find a way through, leaving Joe Sheehan’s side still searching for their first Championship points. For Forest, it was a morale-boosting first win at this level, secured with a clean sheet and no shortage of resilience.

Match Stats

Ipswich Town

Nottingham Forest

Newcastle United christened their new home, Gateshead International Stadium, with a late goal to earn a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United.

The Blades struck first on the stroke of half-time when experienced forward Charlie Devlin curled a long-range effort over Claudia Moan to silence the home crowd. Newcastle pushed after the break but found chances hard to come by against a disciplined defence.

Just when it looked like Sheffield United would hold on, substitute Jasmine McQuade (85′) arrived at the back post to volley in Demi Stokes’ cross and spark wild celebrations.

The late equaliser preserved Newcastle’s unbeaten start, while Sheffield United were left to rue letting two points slip – though they do take their first point of the season back to Yorkshire.

Match Stats

Newcastle United

Sheffield United

Sunderland and Birmingham, two clubs with serious promotion ambitions, played out a hard-fought 1–1 draw at the Stadium of Light.

Despite heavy early pressure from the visitors, Sunderland struck first on the hour. Emily Scarr latched onto a through ball from Jessica Brown, cut inside from the right and executed a brilliant chip over the onrushing keeper to give the Lasses the lead.

It lasted just three minutes. Veatriki Sarri hit back in style, curling in a wicked delivery from the left that flew straight in at the far post to make it 1–1. Galvanised, Birmingham pressed for a winner, rattling the crossbar in stoppage time, but Sunderland dug deep with Grace Moloney producing key saves to secure the draw.

Birmingham will feel they deserved more, yet both sides remain unbeaten and firmly in the early promotion mix.

Match Stats

Sunderland

Birmingham City

Bristol City claimed their first win of the 2025/26 season with a controlled 2–0 victory over Portsmouth at Ashton Gate.

The Robins broke the deadlock just before half-time when Rio Hardy (40′) snuck her finish inside the near post after a well-worked move. Hardy had the chance to double her tally on the stroke of half-time, but her penalty was saved smartly by keeper Jessica Gray.

Portsmouth battled after the interval but rarely threatened, with City controlling much of the play. The result was sealed late on when Lexi Lloyd-Smith (88′) tucked away her first goal of the season after good work down the left by Vera Jones.

For Bristol City, it was a much-needed response after their opening-day loss, while Portsmouth remain winless and still searching for their first Championship points of the campaign.

Bristol City

Portsmouth