Lambert strikes late for Durham, as Birmingham go top of Barclays Women's Championship

By Rishi Tanna

Birmingham City picked up a crucial three points in the race for promotion with a 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses in the Barclays Women’s Championship.

Blues picked up all three points to move three points clear at the summit, with Lionesses and Durham level on points behind them after the Wildcats salvaged a point away at Southampton.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth earned their first point of the season at home to Sheffield United, while Bristol City beat Newcastle United and Sunderland got past Blackburn Rovers.

Blues go top with win over Lionesses

Birmingham City went three points clear at the top of the Barclays Women’s Championship after winning a feisty top of the table clash 2-1 away to London City Lionesses.

Two first-half headers from Gemma Lawley and Neve Herron gave the Blues a 2-0 lead at the break, and the Lionesses couldn’t find an equaliser despite Georgia Broughman poking home with five to go.

The tone was set early by the Blues, who stole the ball from Emily Orman, but her blushes were spared as Simone Magill couldn’t convert from just six yards out.

The opener on 25 minutes was well deserved when Magill, who was a threat all game, hit the bar with a hooked shot following a corner, and Gemma Lawley was on hand to nod in the rebound from eight yards out.

A hard-fought encounter saw plenty of battles all over the pitch and Blues took advantage from a free-kick just before the break, as Rebecca Holloway picked out a towering Neve Herron, who thundered a bullet header in off the bar for 2-0.

Birmingham’s Magill spurned another chance, and Teyah Goldie had to slide one off the line from Lily Agg’s fierce drive.

Broughman’s second of the season made for an interesting ending, as she stabbed home after being alert to a loose ball in the box.

But the Lionesses couldn't produce another shot on goal, giving Birmingham a crucial victory at the top.

Late Lambert equaliser for Durham frustrates Saints

A late Mollie Lambert equaliser cancelled out Aimee Palmer’s first half finish as Southampton and Durham drew 1-1 at St Mary’s.

Saints took the lead on 19 minutes, after some neat build-up play was delightfully finished off by a delightful Palmer dink.

Durham looked to respond quickly through Sarah Wilson’s header, which flicked past the post.
However, only some last-ditch defending and sublime saves from Tatiana Saunders kept the Saints from doubling the lead following a goalmouth scramble.

The Wildcats pushed hard but with ten to go they left themselves open at the back as Lauren Briggs cleared Tara Bourne’s effort off the line.

Lambert set up a grandstand finish, slotting home from Carly John’s flick to equalise with 85 on the clock, but both sides settled for a share of the spoils.

Resurgent Sunderland make it three on the bounce

Eleanor Dale’s second half winner made it three wins in a row for Sunderland with a 2-1 victory at home to Blackburn.

Katie Kitching gave the Black Cats the lead on the half-hour mark, when she shimmied superbly before finishing with her left foot.

But they were pegged back on the half time whistle by Emma Taylor’s well-taken finish, as the defender plucked Tyler Toland’s deep free-kick from the sky, before slotting under Demi Lambourne for the equaliser.

Sunderland pushed on from the restart through Dale, whose strong header was matched with a strong save from Brooks.

Dale crashed in on 73 minutes and that was enough for Sunderland, who extended the gap to tenth-placed Blackburn to 10 points despite remaining eighth.

Pompey off the mark with point against Blades

A brilliant second-half performance gave bottom side Portsmouth their first point of the season as they drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers Sheffield United.

Maria Farrugia gave the Blades the lead early on, but 18-year-old Lily Dent’s second half goal meant the points were shared.

The deadlock was broken by the away side on 20 minutes after Jacqui’s Hand found space in behind, and she squared to an unmarked Farrugia, who made no mistake to make it 1-0.

The visitors piled on the pressure, and almost had a second when Hand had her shot headed off the line by Hannah Coan after a deep freekick.

Portsmouth came roaring back after the interval, firstly through 17-year-old Grace McEwen as she had her effort blocked.

Coan’s strike grazed the bar, before Erin McLaughlin angled-drive needed saving from Sian Rogers.

The pressure told on 65 minutes as Dent poked home following Sophie Barker’s chipped through ball.

Portsmouth were flowing with confidence when Dent played in Emma Jones, but Rogers kept the Blades in the contest once again by tipping round the post to ensure the points were shared.

Robins get victory over Newcastle

A dominant Bristol City made it four wins from five after beating Newcastle United 2-0 at Ashton Gate despite a late Cecilie Struck red card.

Goals from teenager Mari Ward and Lexi Lloyd-Smith either side of the break were enough for the Robins to overtake Newcastle into fifth, while the visitors fall to seventh.

It was a tight opening at Ashton Gate, as Newcastle’s Lois Joel fired wide from Shania Hayles’ cutback.

The hosts snatched a lead just before the break, with 18-year-old Ward improvising an incredible finish off her knee from Emily Syme.

The Robins then exploded out the blocks after the break, doubling their advantage through Lloyd-Smith, who steered home after Moan parried a cross straight to her.

Newcastle, having made a double change at half-time, were handed a lifeline late on when Struck picked up her second yellow in four minutes to be sent off.

But the extra player advantage failed to inspire the Magpies, who were unable to find the target.