Birmingham City Women ran out 5-1 winners over Bristol City, as last season’s runners-up made a strong start to the new Barclays WSL 2 campaign.
Barclays WSL 2
Birmingham City 5-1 Bristol City
Charlton Athletic 1-0 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Newcastle United
Portsmouth 0-2 Durham
Birmingham were pegged back at 2-1 by Bristol before the Blues secured the win
Simone Magill struck twice in the opening 13 minutes for Birmingham, both times turning in a cross from Rebecca Holloway.
Bristol replied through Maria Farrugia but the Blues had a third three minutes after the interval, Lily Crosthwaite the scorer when picked out by Lee Geum-Min.
Crosthwaite turned provider for Christie Harrison-Murray who hit the back of the net from outside the box, Batcheba Louis later fired in number five.
Charlton edged the south London derby against Crystal Palace with a single goal.
The Addicks scored 10 minutes after the break, Katie Bradley’s cross bringing about a finish from Emma Bissell.
Charlton held on for the victory after Bradley’s second yellow card in the dying minutes.
💥 Emma Bissell bags the first goal of the new season! 🙌#cafc pic.twitter.com/QGNFOjxV2p
— Charlton Athletic Women (@CAFCWomen) September 7, 2025
Newcastle win away to newcomers Nottingham Forest at the City Ground
Emily Murphy headed Newcastle into an early lead via a Beth Lumsden corner, Molly Pike making it 2-0 before the half-hour mark when set up by Shania Hayles.
Kirsty Smith scored Forest’s first-ever WSL2 goal, with a header following Chloe Mustaki’s corner.
Durham take all three points at Pompey
Grace Ede opened the scoring for Durham at Portsmouth aided by Beth Hepple midway through the first half, Mariana Speckmaier doubling the advantage with the help of Hannah Blake
Maz making it two!✌️🤩#DurhamWFC pic.twitter.com/f8XoU0RdUh
— Durham Women FC (@DurhamWFC) September 7, 2025
