Barclays Women’s Championship: Sunderland win at St Andrews | OneFootball

Key defending from Danielle Brown of Sunderland against Birmingham City. (Karl Newton/SPP)

Sunderland were 3-1 winners at Birmingham City in the Barclays Women’s Championship, Coventry United got off the mark after a dozen attempts.

Durham 0-0 Southampton Birmingham City 1-3 Sunderland Charlton Athletic P-P Lewes Coventry United 3-2 Crystal Palace Sheffield United 1-1 Blackburn Rovers Bristol City P-P London City Lionesses

Sunderland went up to eighth on goal-difference when winning at St Andrews, where they opened the scoring on 41 minutes, Emily Scarr meeting Danielle Brown’s cross with a firm header. City were level by the break though, Claudia Walker’s ball headed in by Jade Pennock. The Black Cats were back in front when Brown tapped-in Liz Ejupi pass to the back post and it was 3-1 when Emma Kelly’s corner was headed in by Grace McCatty.

Southampton missed a chance to go level with second-placed Bristol City, held 0-0 at Durham. Saints’ Laura Rafferty cleared Saoirse Noonan’s header off the line, while the Wildcats’ Naoisha McAloon tipped away an Ella Morris strike wide.

Coventry United were on their way to their first points off the season, with a 3-1 interval lead over Crystal Palace. Ebony Wiseman set up Mary McAteer for an early opener, who turned provider for Katy Morris. Elise Hughes replied but Eleanor Ryan-Doyle restored the two-goal cushion with a solo effort. Annabel Blanchard got Palace back in it 11 minutes from time, but the home side won to go within five points of safety.

Tamara Wilcock gave Sheffield United their first point in seven BWC games. (Photo: Julian Barker)

Sheffield United are the team in Coventry’s sights, after a draw with Blackburn. Rovers looked to be going in one up at Bramall Lane after Ellie Leek played in Saffron Jordan to score but in added time, Tamara Wilcock hit home her first senior goal for the Blades.

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