Late drama and screamers galore in thrilling Championship weekend

By Will Castle

Katie Bradley was the hero of the day as she bagged a late brace to break Durham hearts and shoot Charlton to the top of the Barclays FA Women's Championship.

The Addicks were one of four sides to maintain an unbeaten start to the season, with Birmingham City, London City Lionesses and Newcastle United also emerging as victors on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues comfortably dispatched Portsmouth 4-0, while Newcastle bagged two before the break to see off Sheffield United, 2-0.

London City also put on a strong first-half display as they edged out Bristol City 2-1, with Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah stealing the show with a goal of the season contender from the halfway line.

And in one of the surprise results of the afternoon, Blackburn Rovers took all three points on the road at promotion hopefuls Southampton with a 1-0 win.

Bradley spearheads late turnaround

Charlton ensured that their 100 percent record in the league continued with a late comeback win over Durham in Sunday’s early kick-off.

The Wildcats, who had similarly enjoyed a strong start to the season with two wins in as many games, took the lead at the Valley in the first-half as Lily Crosthwaite dinked past Sophie Whitehouse on 17 minutes.

Having trailed for much of the contest, Charlton found a reprieve from the spot in the 82nd minute as Katie Bradley slotted home to equalise.

And just three minutes later, Bradley struck again to flip the game on its head and send the Addicks to the top of the table.

Blues on fire to power past Pompey

Lee Geum-min bagged a brace as Birmingham ran riot over struggling Portsmouth at St Andrew’s.

Libby Smith opened the scoring for the Blues on 20 minutes, turning inside the area and finding the bottom.

Pompey managed to keep the deficit at one going into the interval but things got away from them after the restart, with Lee netting twice before Louise Quinn put the icing on the cake in stoppage time to make it four.

The win sends Birmingham to second and leaves Portsmouth bottom of the table, having shipped 10 without reply in three games so far this season.

New girls adapting to life well

Newcastle are not letting the bright lights of the Women’s Championship get to them, continuing their unbeaten start with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United.

After earning a draw in their first-ever Championship game against London City, the Magpies put in a stellar first-half display as they returned to Kingston Park.

Beth Lumsden got the ball rolling in the fifth minute, stretching at the back post to turn home Shania Hayles’ cross.

Hayles then turned from provider to goalscorer to double Newcastle’s lead, heading past Sian Rogers at the front post.

Taking a 2-0 lead into the break, they were able to hold onto their advantage for the rest of the afternoon to secure an inaugural Championship victory.

Stunners galore as Bristol City slump

Bristol City’s hopes of an immediate return to the Women’s Super League have taken an early hit, with the Robins still seeking a first win this season.

After playing out two draws in their opening two games, Bristol City fell behind in the 16th minute through an absolute worldie from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, who spotted Fran Bentley off her line before lofting the ball into the net from the edge of the centre-circle.

Five minutes later and the Pride had netted another beauty, Sofia Jakobsson this time who cut in from the left flank before whipping the ball into the bottom corner.

Amalie Threstrup cut London City’s advantage in half in the 68th minute, but the hosts were able to hold on for the remainder, making it seven points from a possible nine to start the campaign.

Blackburn shock the Saints

Blackburn Rovers came away from promotion hopefuls Southampton with all three points as they made it two wins in as many games against the Saints.

Southampton looked unstoppable on the opening day as they bagged a 3-0 win at Sunderland, but could not match that performance against Rovers.

Looking to hit back, Southampton desperately went in search of an equaliser, with Lucia Kendall and Molly Pike coming close.

But even after 13 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game, Blackburn were able to hold on for the win, picking up their first points of the campaign in the process.