WSL2 25/26 GW6: Comebacks, Collapses & Coastal Chaos

Draw specialists Crystal Palace and Sunderland limped to a 1–1 draw in South London, as both sides’ frustrating starts to the season continued.

The match opened brightly, with both goals arriving in a frenetic opening 12 minutes. Sunderland struck first via Katy Watson, who finished confidently after a well-executed short corner routine (9′) found her unmarked on the edge of the box. But the lead lasted only three minutes – Kirsty Howat netted her third of the season with a composed dink over the advancing keeper, finishing off a sharp Palace move (12′). It would turn out to be Palace’s only shot on target.

Sunderland should have regained the lead midway through the half when a rebound fell kindly to Emily Scarr, but with the goal at her mercy, she struck the post.

The second half offered little in the way of goalmouth action, as speculative efforts failed to seriously test either goalkeeper. In truth, both teams looked short on creativity and cutting edge.

Specualtive efforts from both sides followed but neither really looked like finding a winner.

Palace are now unbeaten in five (1W, 4D). However, they need to start turning draws into victories if they’re to mount a serious challenge. Sunderland remain fifth, just two points off the promotion places.

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Durham stunned in-form Nottingham Forest with a ruthless first-half display, scoring three goals inside 23 minutes to secure their first win in five games and reignite their season.

The hosts came flying out of the blocks, taking the lead in the 5th minute as Mollie Lambert finished with composure after a blistering break and clever one-two with Poppy Pritchard. Just a minute later, it was 2–0 – this time Beth Hepple swept home another Pritchard assist with a smart finish. It was Hepple’s fifth goal of the season. She now leads the WSL2 scoring charts.

Forest looked shell-shocked, and things got worse midway through the half when Mariana Speckmaier profited from a fortunate deflection after excellent work down the right by Hannah Blake. A clinical showing from Durham, who punished every defensive lapse from the visitors

Forest rallied and enjoyed long spells of possession. Even so, they failed to break down a resolute Durham defence. Their best effort came from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, whose long-range strike struck the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Durham will be relieved to get back to winning ways, and the clean sheet will do wonders for confidence in a side that had been sliding in recent weeks. Forest, so impressive in their 4–1 victory last time out, came crashing back to earth. Ultimately, it was a valuable lesson for the newly promoted side on consistency at this level.

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The league’s two lowest-scoring sides had to settle for a hard-earned point, in a match low on quality in the final third.

The visitors took the lead late in the first half through Emma Taylor, who rose highest to meet a floated corner glancing her header into the far corner (37′). It was no less than Sheffield United deserved after an industrious and disciplined first 45 minutes — albeit one largely devoid of clear-cut chances.

The second half continued in a similar vein. Although Sheffield edged the midfield battle, they struggled to come close to finding a second. Charlton, flat for much of the match, finally came alive just before the hour.

Their breakthrough came via the in-form Jodie Hutton, who curled in a stunning free-kick from distance to bring the Addicks level (60′). It was her third goal in two games, and a much-needed spark for a side lacking cutting edge on the day.

Charlton pushed for a winner. However, a lack of quality and composure in the final third let them down. Despite late pressure, they failed to seriously test the Blades’ keeper.

Charlton remain top of the table and the league’s only unbeaten team, though this was far from their best display. Sheffield United, meanwhile, continue to grow in confidence – now unbeaten in two and finally looking like a side capable of climbing the table.

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Birmingham City returned to winning ways in devastating fashion, putting four past newly promoted Ipswich Town in a controlled and commanding display.

The visitors were dominant from the outset, dictating the tempo and pinning Ipswich deep in their own half. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Chelsea Cornet glanced in a header after a pinpoint cross from Lucy Quinn.

Surprisingly, Birmingham had to wait until the 55th minute for their second, despite their dominance. Océane Hurtré poked home from close range after Lily Crosthwaite danced past Summer Hughes down the right and squared across the face of goal.

The pressure didn’t let up, and a third followed soon after. Substitute Louise Batcheba reacted quickest to stab home after Emily Negri spilled a routine cross into her path (69′).

The rout was completed deep into stoppage time when full-back Martha Harris tapped in from close range after Veatriki Sarri ghosted past a static Ipswich defence (90+6′), capping off an easy afternoon for the visitors

As things stand, Birmingham remain firmly in the promotion race, just a point off top spot. Ipswich, by contrast, look increasingly fragile — their defensive frailties now a major concern. Urgent improvement is needed if they are to avoid relegation.

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Newcastle United and Bristol City shared the points in a thrilling 2–2 draw, as a late stunner from Lois Joel denied the visitors all three points.

After a cagey opening 45 minutes with chances at a premium, Newcastle struck on the stroke of half-time. Excellent work from Morgan Gautrat down the left created space for a low cross into the area. The initial shot from Oona Sevenius was blocked, but she reacted quickest to smash the rebound into the roof of the net (45+2′).

Bristol responded almost immediately after the restart. A sweeping move of one-touch passing down the right opened up the Newcastle back line, and Rio Hardy tucked home the equaliser with a composed finish (48′). Hardy doubled her tally in the 76th minute, collecting a cutback and firing home from 12 yards out to give Bristol the lead.

Newcastle, though, refused to fold. With just minutes left, Lois Joel picked up possession 35 yards from goal and drove into space. She unleashed a spectacular strike into the top corner (89′), beating the outstretched keeper and sending the home crowd wild.

That’s now five without a win for Newcastle, who will take heart from the fight shown to earn a point. Bristol City, meanwhile, stay fourth. Nevertheless, they will feel frustrated not to have closed the game out after another strong second-half performance.

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Southampton produced a stunning comeback to dismantle South Coast rivals Portsmouth 5–2, overturning a two-goal deficit.

Pompey flew out of the blocks and stunned the visitors early on. Annie Wilding opened the scoring in the 10th minute when a whipped corner glanced off the back of her head and looped into the net. Just ten minutes later, Georgie Freeland made it 2–0 – her inswinging corner sailed over everyone, including the goalkeeper, and dropped straight in. The keeper should have done better.

But Southampton hit back within minutes. Abbie Ferguson halved the deficit on 24 minutes, slaloming through two defenders before somehow squeezing the ball in from a seemingly impossible angle.

After the break, it was all Southampton. Michaela McAlonie levelled the match just before the hour. She drilled home from the edge of the box after sustained pressure. The comeback was complete on 71 minutes when Jessica Simpson scored direct from a corner – another delivery that beat the Pompey keeper unaided.

Pompey’s heads dropped, and Southampton took full control. Ferguson grabbed her second with a sharp turn and curling finish into the far corner (78′). McAlonie then added her brace deep into stoppage time, driving forward from distance and finishing emphatically (90+6′).

Southampton climb into third, just two points off top spot after back-to-back wins. Portsmouth, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just three points from six games – and serious questions to answer at both ends of the pitch.

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