Blues lay down a marker as Newcastle earn debut draw

By Etta Hamley, Sportsbeat

Birmingham City laid down a marker on the opening weekend of the Barclays FA Women’s Championship as they put five past Sunderland.

Meanwhile, in their first game at this level, Newcastle United earned a 1-1 draw away to London City.

It was the same scoreline for relegated Bristol City, away to Southampton, while Charlton secured an impressive 3-0 win over promoted Portsmouth.

Last but not least, Durham edged out Sheffield United 2-1.

Blues off to a flyer

Birmingham City could not have wished for a better start to their season as they overwhelmed Sunderland 5-0.

Lucy Quinn got the ball rolling after just 10 minutes, before Lily Agg headed home the second just after the half-hour.

It was three by half-time, Choe Yu-ri extending the lead against a Sunderland side who finished third last season.

They had no answer on this occasion though, with Quinn extending the lead from the spot after Tegan McGowan was brought down in the area.

Birmingham then saved the best for last, Ivana Fuso exchanging passes with Choe before sliding the ball home.

First point on the board for promoted Newcastle

There was much anticipation around Newcastle United’s first game at this level, and they lived up to the occasion, earning a 1-1 draw at London City.

Shania Hayles put them in front on 20 minutes, Newcastle pinching the ball in the London City half before Hayles poked the ball under Emily Orman.

The Lionesses responded before half-time though, skipper Kosovare Asllani finding the net on debut. Asllani played in Lotta Lindström down the right, and was then on hand to fire home the return pass inside the box.

After an entertaining first half, the second was scoreless, despite no lack of ambition from both teams.

Brazil double gets Charlton up and running

Ellie Brazil scored twice as Charlton gave newly-promoted Portsmouth a stark introduction to life in the second flight with a 3-0 victory.

It took just four minutes for them to take the lead at the Valley against a Pompey side who came up via FA Women’s National League South division last season. Brazil was on hand to slot home Kayleigh Barton’s clever backheel.

Jodie Hutton made it two just after the quarter-hour with a brilliant strike from the left, firing home to double the lead.

And with just 23 minutes on the clock, Charlton were three to the good, the Barton-Brazil combination working again as Portsmouth failed to deal with a long ball.

From there, Portsmouth tightened up in defence, with Charlton unable to add to their lead.

Southampton hold Bristol City to draw

In their first game back in the Barclay FA Women’s Championship, Bristol City had to settle for a point away to Southampton after a 1-1 draw.

Lexi Lloyd-Smith cancelled out Aimee Palmer’s opener to secure the draw for the visitors.

After a tight first half, Palmer put Saints in front immediately after the break with a fine free-kick.

City battled in search of an equaliser and it came on 61 minutes, a sharp break down the left leading to a thumping finish from Lloyd-Smith in the box.

The final half-hour was extended with eight minutes of stoppage time, but neither side was able to find a winner.

Durham edge out Sheffield United

Carly Johns was the match winner on debut for Durham as they got the better of Sheffield United 2-1.

Mollie Lambert’s fierce strike had put Durham in front early, but Eva Butler levelled before the break, only for Johns to decide 10 minutes into the second half.

After good build-up work on 10 minutes, Lambert found some space and fired home from 20 minutes to break the deadlock.

Durham almost had a second when Rebecca Salicki hit the post from Beth Hepple’s corner, while the visitors were close to an equaliser, only for Tatiana Saunders to get out to deny Grace Foy,

The leveller came on 40 minutes though, Butler grabbing her first senior goal as Durham could not clear Maria Farrugia’s corner.

But it was Durham who were able to find a winner, Johns scoring on the turn after Ella Wilson had worked hard to set her up.