It was another busy weekend in the WSL 2, with important wins coming up and down the country.
Blue Girls back in the race – Bristol City 0-1 Everton
Everton travelled to the Stoke Gifford knowing nothing less than a win would do as both eyed the two promotion spots. The Toffees were given a huge early boost when Chloe Kelly converted a spot kick past Caitlin Leach just ten minutes in, the Vixens responded well and the two played out eighty breathless and end-to-end minutes and despite a goal-line clearance at either end, neither could add the games' second.
Wildcats see off U's - Durham 2-1 Oxford
Keen to keep pace with the top three, Durham got off to a great start at home, taking the lead twenty minutes in through Beth Hepple as she converted from the spot after Jordan Atkinson was fouled in the area. With the hosts well on top they doubled their advantage as Atkinson volleyed a rebound past Demi Lambourne. Despite their chances the Wildcats couldn’t add to their tally and were in for a nervous end to the game after Ella Franklin-Fraiture reduced the deficit 66 minutes in after a scrap in the box.
Villains leave Hive empty-handed - London Bees 2-1 Aston Villa
In an open first-half which could have gone either way, the Bees were the team on top at the break after Evie Clarke latched onto a long ball, besting both defence and keeper, the loanee was free to roll the ball into the waiting net. If the first-half was anyone’s, the second-half was all Villa, the visitors on top from the restart to unable to make their possession and chances count; left shocked when a rare Bees counter saw Jo Wilson finish off a slick one-two with Clarke by finding the bottom corner.
The Villains got their thoroughly deserved goal in stoppage time as Beth Merrick caught Beth Davies out with a perfectly looped chip, however there just wasn’t enough time for Villa to push for a second and were resigned to defeat.
Spoils shared in Sheffield - Sheffield 1-1 Yeovil
After having taken points off of two of the top three, all that was left for Sheffield to complete a fantastic hat trick was to trip Yeovil up. The two couldn’t be separated at the half despite good chances for both but it wasn’t until after the hour that the match had its’ first goal, the ball fell to Jodie Michalska and the striker converted from six yards.
With Everton and Bristol snapping at their heels, Yeovil threw all they could at Sheffield and were rewarded late in the game when debutant Lucy Quinn finished past Julianna Draycott after connecting with a Kelly Aldridge cross.
Lionesses roar in Berkhamsted - Watford 1-2 Millwall
In the battle of the bottom two Millwall took a commanding lead very early on as, Ashlee Hincks volleyed Amber Gaylor’s rebounded effort in just two minutes into the match and Lucy Gillett had to be on top form to keep Millwall out as the Lionesses dominated the first-half.
As Watford kept themselves alive at both ends of the pitch they restored parity early in the seconds-half when Anne-Laure Davy nodded in an Anneka Nuttall free kick but it was short lived as Lucy Loomes rounded her namesake in the Watford goal before rolling the ball far past the helpless keeper. Both failed to capitalise on clear chances but the result is the correct one on the balance of the game and leaves the Lionesses opening up a gap on strugglers Watford.
