Birmingham City Women Close Gap on Leaders to Three Points

Birmingham City Women cut the gap on Barclays WSL 2 leaders Charlton Athletic, who had to settle for a draw at Sheffield United.

Durham 2-1 Portsmouth
Sheffield United 1-1 Charlton Athletic
Birmingham City 5-1 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United 1-1 Ipswich Town
Southampton 3-1 Crystal Palace

Birmingham City thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-1 to move within three points of the leaders.

An own goal by Georgia Brougham put Birmingham one up, Forest equalised late in the first half through new signing by Joy Omewa. Just two minutes after the interval the Blues restored their lead, with Wilma Leidhammar scoring a header from a Veatriki Sarri cross. Lotta Lindström struck a six-minute hat-trick to blow away any hopes of points for Forest.

Tenth-placed Sheffield United ended a run of four defeats by holding leaders Charlton to a draw.

They went ahead through Amy Andrews’ headed goal from Abbie Lafayette’s cross, but Lucy Fitzgerald equalised for the Addicks before half-time.

Southampton beat fourth-placed Crystal Palace to move within a point of them.

The Saints took a 2-0 lead with two Ellie Brazil goals in the space of six minutes, both set up by Michaela McAlonie. Close to the interval, Ashleigh Weerden pulled a goal back for Palace from out wide. But Tegan McGowan set up Brazil for her hat-trick in added time.

Ipswich Town are now just three points adrift at the bottom after a draw at Newcastle United.

Beth Lumsden struck from distance early on for Newcastle, Sophie Peskett levelled for Ipswich late in the half with an assist from Lucy O’Brien.

Durham pipped Portsmouth with a stoppage-time penalty, moving three points ahead of them.

After trailing to a Tia Primmer goal just after the restart, Beth Hepple soon had the hosts level. Then in the 94th minute, Lucy Watson converted from the spot after Grace Collinson was fouled in the box by Greta Humphries.