Clubs across the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) came together this weekend to honour Amelia Aplin, observing a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off following the tragic passing of the Oxford United Women’s academy player. A highly regarded young talent, Aplin’s loss has been felt deeply across the women’s game, with tributes continuing across the football community.
On the pitch, Gameweek 17 delivered another huge round of fixtures, with momentum swinging at both ends of the table. Charlton returned to winning ways to maintain their lead at the top, but Birmingham City kept the pressure on with a narrow win at Southampton, crucial with games in hand still in their favour. Crystal Palace’s impressive second-half of the season form continued as they strengthened their hold on third, closing the gap further in the promotion race.
Elsewhere, Bristol City’s push for a play-off place took a hit after being held by Portsmouth, while the relegation battle tightened significantly. Ipswich picked up a vital win over Durham, and Portsmouth backed up their shock result against Charlton with another valuable point – leaving the bottom four level on points heading into a tense run-in.
VERTA’s WSL2 GW17 Picks
⚽️ Goal of the week: Tyler Toland – Screamer. (Ipswich Town 2-1 Durham)
🚀 Game of the week: Portsmouth 2-2 Bristol City – Cracking end-to-end stuff, three penalties in 12 minutes, honours even.
⭐️ Star of the week: Ava Baker – Relentless down the flank, two assists giving Ipswich a lifeline in the survival race. (Ipswich Town 2-1 Durham)
Sat 14 Mar 26 | Bramall Lane
Sheffield United and Newcastle United played out a closely contested 1–1 draw, with both goals arriving in a three-minute spell just before half-time. Newcastle came into the game just two points off the play-off places with a game in hand, while Sheffield United were looking to boost their survival chances.
After a competitive opening, the hosts took the lead in the 44th minute. Simone Sherwood, on loan from Leicester City, tapped in from close range after Mollie Rouse’s effort had beaten the goalkeeper.
Newcastle responded almost immediately. A deep delivery from Jordan Nobbs was controlled and finished superbly by Emily Murphy (45+2’), marking her sixth league goal of the campaign.
Both sides pushed after the break, with a combined for 25 attempts, but neither could find a winner. Sheffield United’s winless run stretches to eight, while Newcastle lose ground in their faint race for third.
Up Next
- Sunderland vs Sheffield United – Wed 18 Mar 26
- Newcastle vs Birmingham City – Wed 18 Mar 26
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Sun 15 Mar 26 | Jobserve Community Stadium
Ipswich Town picked up a massive three points in this relegation six-pointer, delivering when it mattered most with a sharp first-half display. It’s only their third win of the season, but arguably their most important. Durham, meanwhile, are sliding at the worst possible time.
The hosts came flying out of the blocks. Princess Ademiluyi (7’) grabbed her first goal for the club, finishing smartly after meeting Ava Baker’s low delivery. Baker was at it again just past the half-hour, driving forward before squaring for Lucy Ashworth-Clifford to roll into an empty net.
Durham thought they had a route back before the break, but Dee Bradley was ruled to be interfering with play as Lucy Watson’s long-range free-kick found the net.
Tyler Toland’s stunning strike (72’) set up a tense finish, but Durham couldn’t find the equaliser.
Three straight defeats now for Durham, who sit just above the drop zone on goal difference. Ipswich, meanwhile, are building momentum at exactly the right time.
Up Next
- Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town – Sun 22 Mar 26
- Durham vs Southampton – Sun 22 Mar 26
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Sun 15 Mar 26 | The Valley
Charlton Athletic bounced back from last week’s shock defeat to Portsmouth with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Sunderland, maintaining their nine-point lead at the top—though Birmingham still hold games in hand.
The game’s defining moment came in the 36th minute. Amalie Thestrup produced an improvised scorpion-kick finish from a Katie Bradley corner to give Charlton the lead.
Sunderland came out with intent after the break and controlled large spells but couldn’t find the breakthrough. Louise Griffiths came closest, her powerful header crashing off the post, before being sent off in the 76th minute after a second booking.
Charlton are now one win away from securing a top-three finish. Sunderland remain inconsistent and stuck in the bottom half with little left to play for.
Up Next
- Sunderland vs Sheffield United – Wed 18 Mar 26
- Bristol City vs Charlton – Sun 22 Mar 26
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Sun 15 Mar 26 | VBS Community Stadium
Crystal Palace’s impressive second-half of the season form continued with a hard-earned 1–0 win over Nottingham Forest, creating daylight between themselves and the promotion-chasing pack for the first time this season.
The only goal of the game came early, with Aimee Everett heading in her first goal in 3 years after a well worked short corner routine from Ashleigh Weerden and Kirsty Howat.
Both sides had opportunities to add to the scoreline but couldn’t find the finish. Jamie-Lee Napier’s goal-line clearance and a sharp, improvised parry from Yáñez following a Forest corner were the closest either side came.
Palace’s promotion push is gathering serious momentum as they tighten their grip on the top three. For Forest, the slump continues—now four without a win, and anything beyond a mid-table finish is starting to look unlikely.
Up Next
- Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town – Sun 22 Mar 26
- Newcastle vs Crystal Palace – Sun 22 Mar 26
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Sun 15 Mar 26 | Westleigh Park
Bristol City’s push for a play-off place took a major hit as they were held to a 2–2 draw by Portsmouth, extending their winless run to three. Portsmouth, meanwhile, backed up last week’s win over Charlton with another valuable point, opening up a four-way relegation fight at the bottom.
Bristol struck early, Jessie Gale (6’) heading home from Katie Robinson’s pinpoint delivery from the edge of the six-yard box. Portsmouth responded almost immediately, levelling just three minutes later as Olivia Woś turned a Jasmine Bull cross into her own net.
The second half was chaotic. Fran Bentley kept Bristol in it with a string of sharp saves before the game turned controversial on 68 minutes. Portsmouth were awarded a very soft penalty—saved by Bentley—but a second spot-kick was given after Lawley was penalised in the aftermath. Lucy Shepherd made no mistake.
Bristol were then also handed a soft penalty of their own, with Rio Hardy converting (80’) to level.
Bristol’s promotion push is stalling, now four points off Palace in third, while Portsmouth are finding belief and points at just the right time.
Up Next
- Portsmouth vs Sunderland – Sun 22 Mar 26
- Bristols City vs Charlton – Sun 22 Mar 26
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Sun 15 Mar 26 | St Mary’s
Birmingham City kept the pressure on Charlton at the top with a narrow 1–0 win over Southampton, bouncing back from last week’s disappointing home defeat to Crystal Palace. With Palace now just a point behind, this had the feel of a must-win, and Birmingham delivered.
It was a tight, evenly contested game throughout, with clear chances limited. The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute after sustained Birmingham pressure. Substitute Asato Miyagawa reacted quickest, firing home after an excellent goal-line clearance fell kindly in the box.
Southampton never truly looked like finding a way back into it, and were kept in the game largely thanks to Stenson in goal, who ensured the scoreline remained respectable.
There was late frustration for the hosts as Rio Hardy was sent off in the 98th minute for a second booking.
Birmingham remain firmly in the promotion race with games in hand still a major advantage, while Southampton’s inconsistency continues to cost them at a crucial stage.
Up Next
- Newcastle vs Birmingham City – Wed 18 Mar 26
- Durham vs Southampton – Sun 22 Mar 26
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