WSL2 GW18: Promotion Race Wide Open as Bottom Four Slip Away

Durham’s difficult run of form continued as they were held to a goalless draw by Southampton, extending their winless run to five matches. However, with every team beneath them losing, this point may ultimately prove valuable in their relegation battle.

It was a contest largely devoid of quality in the final third. Southampton arguably had the better of the play and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Atlanta Primus found the back of the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Beyond that moment, both sides were limited to speculative attempts, with neither goalkeeper consistently tested in a match unlikely to live long in the memory.

For Southampton, the result represents a missed opportunity in the race for a top-three finish. A lacklustre performance saw them fail to capitalise on dropped points at Crystal Palace and Newcastle United. The Saints consequently lose momentum in their push towards the playoff positions.

Durham, meanwhile, remain just one point above the relegation places. While the clean sheet offers some defensive encouragement, their continued struggles in attack underline the challenge ahead as the season enters its decisive phase.

Up Next

• Ipswich Town vs Southampton – Sat 28 Mar 26
• Nottingham Forest vs Durham – Sun 29 Mar 26

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Birmingham City strengthened their promotion push with a 2–1 victory over Sheffield United, closing the gap on league leaders Charlton to six points while holding a crucial game in hand.

Sheffield United, looking dangerous on the counter-attack throughout the early stages, took the lead after 14 minutes. Sophie O’Rourke capped off a well-worked move with a composed finish from inside the penalty box, giving the visitors an early advantage.

The hosts responded positively and began to assert control as the first half progressed. Their pressure was rewarded just before the interval when Lily Crosthwaite levelled the score, curling in an impressive equaliser to bring Birmingham back into the contest.

Birmingham maintained their dominance after the break and completed the turnaround with a decisive second-half goal. Wilma Leidhammar reacted quickest after a parried effort, chesting home from close range following an initial save by Rogers in the United goal.

From that point onward, Sheffield United struggled to regain momentum, offering little attacking threat as Birmingham controlled proceedings. The final scoreline arguably flattered the visitors, with the hosts creating the clearer chances and dictating the tempo for large periods.

For Sheffield United, the defeat extends a concerning run of form. They are now nine matches without a win and remain firmly entrenched in a relegation battle.

The result further reinforces Birmingham’s status as genuine title contenders heading into the decisive phase of the season.

Up Next

• Sheffield United vs Portsmouth – Sat 28 Mar 26
• Bristol City vs Birmingham City – Sun 29 Mar 26

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Bristol City returned to winning ways with a vital 2–1 victory over league leaders Charlton, ending a three-match winless run and reigniting their push for promotion.

Charlton suffered just their second defeat of the season – both coming within their last three matches – leaving the title race increasingly open as the campaign approaches its decisive phase.

Bristol took the lead in the 24th minute through Sophie Ingle, who glanced a header into the net from a corner to give the hosts a deserved advantage. The lead was doubled in the 61st minute when Lexi Lloyd-Smith netted her eighth league goal of the season, her scuffed effort looping over the Charlton goalkeeper and into the net. Not one for the highlight reel, but they all count.

Charlton responded through Gillian Kenney, who finished a well-worked move from close range to reduce the deficit. The visitors pushed strongly for an equaliser in the closing stages and struck the woodwork twice, but were unable to find a second goal.

The victory moves Bristol City to within two points of third-placed Crystal Palace, firmly placing them back in contention for promotion. Charlton, meanwhile, remain at the top of the table but will be increasingly aware of their recent dip in form as the chasing pack continues to close the gap.

Up Next

• Crystal Palace vs Charlton – Sun 29 Mar 26
• Bristol City vs Birmingham City – Sun 29 Mar 26

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Nottingham Forest secured a much-needed 2–0 victory over Ipswich Town Women, ending a five-match winless run and all but confirming their place in next season’s WSL2.

Forest made a strong start and took the lead in the 18th minute through Joy Omewa, who turned in a cross from Cerys Brown after Ipswich failed to deal with the delivery, leaving her unmarked at the far post.

The hosts doubled their advantage shortly after the break when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah produced a moment of individual quality, driving forward from distance before finishing confidently to register her sixth league goal of the season.

Ipswich offered little in response and were fortunate to keep the scoreline at two, with Forest controlling proceedings throughout and rarely looking troubled.

For Ipswich Town, the defeat marks their first loss in six matches, ending a positive run of form. They will need to return to winning ways quickly if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

The result provides Forest with a timely boost, creating significant distance between themselves and the bottom as the season enters its final phase.

Up Next

• Ipswich Town vs Southampton – Sat 28 Mar 26
• Nottingham Forest vs Durham – Sun 29 Mar 26

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Sunderland returned to winning ways with a narrow 1–0 victory over Portsmouth, securing their first win in four matches. Portsmouth’s struggles, meanwhile, continue, although results elsewhere offered slight relief with none of the teams around them picking up a win.

The only goal of the game came in the 5th minute, when Eleanor Dale headed home a well-delivered cross from Jessica Brown to give the visitors an early advantage.

Portsmouth were unable to mount a meaningful response and struggled to break down a disciplined Sunderland side. Sunderland, however, will feel they could, and should have extended their lead, having created lots of chances but lacking quality in the final third.

The result leaves Portsmouth rooted to the bottom of the table following their 13th loss of the season—the highest in the league—intensifying their relegation concerns heading into the final stretch.

For Sunderland, the victory provides a timely boost after a run of three matches without a win, restoring momentum as they look to finish the season strongly.

Up Next

• Sheffield United vs Portsmouth – Sat 28 Mar 26
• Sunderland vs Newcastle – Sun 29 Mar 26

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In a crucial match in the race for the top three, the spoils were shared as Crystal Palace were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Newcastle United.

Newcastle had Anna Tamminen to thank for preserving the clean sheet, with the goalkeeper producing a standout performance. Her remarkable double save midway through the first half was as good a piece of goalkeeping as you will see this season, and she followed it up with two further crucial stops from Abbie Larkin to ensure the points were shared.

Palace saw their three-match winning run come to an end and will feel particularly aggrieved not to have taken all three points, having dominated large portions of the contest and created the clearer opportunities.

Newcastle, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run to six matches. While they offered limited attacking threat, their organisation and defensive discipline ensured they came away with a valuable point.

The result allowed Bristol City Women to close the gap, leaving five teams now firmly in contention for the three promotion places as the season approaches its decisive phase.

Up Next

• Sunderland vs Newcastle – Sun 29 Mar 26
• Crystal Palace vs Charlton – Sun 29 Mar 26

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