WSL2 25/26 GW8: Bristol Run Riot, Pompey leave it late, Charlton run continues

Durham and Newcastle United played out a 1–1 draw in a tightly contested North East derby, with both goals arriving inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Newcastle struck first in the 10th minute. A cut-back from Jordan Nobbs found Molly Pike, whose scuffed shot crept into the bottom corner – her third league goal of the season.

Durham responded swiftly. A long throw-in caused confusion in the Newcastle box, and Mollie Lambert reacted quickest to fire low through a crowded area.

Both sides had chances. Mariana Speckmaier saw a backheel blocked, and Poppy Pritchard had a goal disallowed for offside just before half-time.

Newcastle pressed in the second half with several long-range efforts. However, Durham stood firm thanks to a composed display from Cat Sheppard in goal. In the 87th minute, Lambert broke through again, but a brilliant challenge from Aoife Mannion denied her.

It was a hard-earned point apiece in a balanced derby, but not the win either side needed or craved.

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Bristol City were ruthless in front of goal as they swept aside Ipswich Town to record the biggest win of the WSL2 season so far.

They set the tone early. Sophie Ingle opened the scoring after just seven minutes with a header from a corner. Five minutes later, Rio Hardy doubled the lead, turning in a cross from Maria Farrugia. On 14 minutes, Lexi Lloyd‑Smith made it three with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Before the break, Farrugia scored a fourth, capping a dominant first-half display. Ingle added her second from a set piece on 53 minutes. Hardy grabbed her second just after the hour, before Isabel Hebard added a seventh in added time following a defensive lapse.

For Bristol, the result underlined their attacking strength and growing belief. For Ipswich, it was a sobering afternoon. Their losing streak continues and their goal difference took a significant hit.

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Charlton continued their excellent form with a narrow win over Southampton in a match that demanded resilience.

Despite the visitors controlling much of the first half, Charlton struck first in the 35th minute. Lucy Fitzgerald pressed high to win possession, and Amalie Thestrup sent a looping finish over Fran Stenson from 25 yards — her first goal for the club.

In the second half, Jodie Hutton made it two. Her curling free-kick from the edge of the box evaded everyone and nestled inside the far post.

Southampton pushed late and were rewarded in stoppage time. Tara Bourne bundled home after a scramble in the box. However, it proved too late.

Charlton now have four wins in their last five games and are building real momentum. Southampton controlled possession but failed to make it count in key moments.

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Sheffield United extended their unbeaten run with a clinical away win over Crystal Palace, who again paid the price for missed chances.

Jess Reavill opened the scoring in the 7th minute, heading in unmarked at the back post from a flicked-on corner. Amy Andrews made it 2–0 just before the half-hour, rounding goalkeeper Yañez and finishing calmly.

Palace had their moments. My Cato couldn’t convert a one-on-one and Annabel Blanchard forced two smart saves. Kirsty Howat pulled one back in the second half with a brilliant curling strike from the edge of the area.

Despite heavy pressure, Palace couldn’t find an equaliser. Elise Hughes twice went close, but Sheffield’s defence held firm.

Palace have now taken just three points from their last five. In contrast, the Blades continue to climb — now into sixth.

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Portsmouth pulled off one of the comebacks of the season with a 98th-minute winner in a thrilling five-goal contest.

Sunderland went ahead after 25 minutes through Emily Scarr. The striker doubled the lead late on after pouncing on a defensive error to make it 2–1 in the 79th minute.

In between, Megan Hornby had equalised with a composed finish following a superb pass from Megan Collett.

Pompey weren’t finished. In the 90th minute, Gio Mellsop was brought down in the box. Jessie Gale converted the penalty to level it at 2–2. Then, deep into stoppage time, Hornby completed the turnaround, rifling a low shot past the keeper in the 98th minute.

It’s now back-to-back wins for Portsmouth, who climb off the bottom for the first time this season. Sunderland, still winless in five, will be devastated to have let the points slip so late.

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Birmingham City stayed hot on Charlton’s heels with a controlled win at Nottingham Forest.

Veatriki Sarri opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort, driving forward from deep before firing low into the corner from long range.

In the second half, Forest were reduced to ten players when Jessie Stapleton handled on the line. Sarri converted the penalty to double the lead.

Deep into stoppage time, Batcheba Louis added a third, racing onto a pass from Lee Geum-Min and slotting home.

The result keeps Birmingham firmly in the promotion mix. Forest, while impressive this season, struggled after the red card and will see this as a learning experience.

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