Championship round up: Charlton and Sunderland epic draw, big wins for London City and Bristol City | OneFootball

Goals were flowing in the Women’s Championship over the weekend as three games saw six goals shared in various ways. Once again, the second tier is the place to be if you want drama and excitement as another thrilling season unfolds.

Let’s take a look at how all the latest action unfolded in the Championship, including a thrilling 3-3 draw between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland, and Durham’s narrow win over Newcastle.

Charlton Athletic 3-3 Sunderland

An absolute barn burner of a game at The Valley saw Charlton’s 100 percent Championship record ended by Sunderland. The Lasses looked like they were going to take home all three points until a late fightback earned Charlton a point.

Sunderland were causing all sorts of problems with the pace across their attacking line. But it was a set piece that gave them the lead in style as Katie Kitching curled a beautiful shot into the top corner. That set the tone for the match and the visitors were two up soon after. Jessie Stapleton nodded in at the back post after a cross from Jenna Dear was deflected into her path. Charlton were stunned into action and Kayleigh Barton halved the deficit before half time with a looping header.

There was no relenting from either side after half-time and the finish to the game epitomised the efforts from both. Sunderland looked like they’d sealed another Championship win 12 minutes from time as Dear produced a spectacular volley from a Kitching corner. Back came the hosts, though, and Karin Muya took advantage of a rare Demi Lambourne error to make it 3-2 and to set up a grandstand finish. Muya ended up having the final say as she lifted a finish past an onrushing Lambourne late on to cap an excellent recovery.

Sheffield United 2-4 Bristol City

Bristol City claimed their first win since returning to the Championship as they produced a clinical display at Bramall Lane. Lexi Lloyd-Smith gave City the lead on 12 minutes as she raced onto a pass from Jamie-Lee Napier to calmly lift the ball home. Ffion Morgan made it two on the half hour mark from a Lloyd-Smith assist and the visitors were in complete control. The Blades did get one back before half time as Eva Butler found the corner smartly from an angle.

But it always felt like a false dawn as City raced into a 4-1 lead just after half-time. First, Amalie Thestrup was the first to react from an Emily Syme shot that rattled the crossbar. Then, substitute Abi Harrison finished well into the bottom corner to make the points safe following a City break. United got another goal back with 15 minutes to go as Maria Farrugia scored with a long range effort but the result was never in doubt. The Blades are yet to pick up a point in the league while Bristol City sit seventh with five points.

London City Lionesses 5-1 Portsmouth

After defeat to Sunderland last weekend, London City returned to form in style by hammering Portsmouth, who are still looking for their first point of the Championship season. Isobel Goodwin, signed from Sheffield United in the summer, was the star of the show with four of the hosts’ five goals.

Goodwin had yet to score in a London City shirt until the weekend but the duck was broken in spectacular fashion. Teyah Goldie put her team in front before Goodwin got her first of the afternoon to give them a 2-0 half time lead. Goodwin wasted no time in completing her hat-trick after the break as she scored her second and third goals in the opening five minutes of the season half. Sophie Quirk got one back for Pompey but there was no containing Goodwin as she got her fourth with six minutes to play.

London City are back up to fourth in the table with that win as Pompey remain bottom and without a point.

Birmingham City 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn had made a decent start to the season but it’s now back-to-back league defeats for them as Birmingham City eased to a win at St. Andrew’s. The Blues controlled possession and never really looked in any trouble throughout the game.

Louise Quinn got the opening goal of the game as Ivana Fuso’s corner was headed in by the City defender. A goalmouth scramble was the closest Rovers came in the first half but the home side never looked in real danger. Birmingham sealed the win in the 77th minute as substitute Christie Harrison-Murray glanced a header into the net. After defeat last weekend, it was an important victory for the Blues, who close the gap on Charlton at the top to three points.

Newcastle United 0-1 Durham

Durham’s status as Championship dark horses isn’t showing any signs of letting up as they beat neighbours Newcastle United at Kingston Park. The game looked like it was moving towards a goalless draw despite plenty of goalmouth action including a fantastic save from Durham keeper Tatiana Saunders from a Rachel Furness header.

Late in the game though, Carly Johns had a shot blocked and Mollie Lambert followed up to score. Newcastle threw everything at the final few minutes of injury time and could have levelled but Durham held strong for another impressive victory.

What’s next?

Friday night sees Birmingham City travel to struggling Sheffield United before four games take place on Sunday.

There are mouthwatering clashes everywhere with a South Coast Derby and North East Derby on the fixture list. Portsmouth and Southampton go head-to-head while Sunderland host bitter rivals Newcastle United in their next Championship clash. At the top of the table, London City host Charlton Athletic in another big game. Blackburn attempt to get back on track as they visit Bristol City.

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