Conti Cup roundup: Penalty shootout drama, Leicester keep on shining | OneFootball

The latest instalment of Continental Cup fixtures delivered plenty of action across the board. Women’s Super League leaders Leicester battled with their chasers Liverpool, while three matches ended in thrilling penalty shootouts.

As we soak in the latest round of fireworks, let’s take a look at how each result unfolded on Wednesday night.

Group A

Durham 3-2 Blackburn

An early goal from Saoirse Noonan gave the hosts the early lead. An equaliser from Helen Seed in the 19th minute restored the deadlock. Millie Chandarana gave the visitors the lead just 10 minutes later. Converting a spot kick in the 72nd minute, Noonan bagged her second of the evening, bringing the tie back level.

Another penalty in stoppage time gave Durham a huge win over Rovers.

Sheffield United 2-3 Sunderland

After a delayed kick-off, the hosts got the game underway with a goal just seven minutes in. Ellie May’s opener was one of four opening half goals. Tara Bourne also found the back of the net for the Blades whilst Emily Scarr and Mollie Rouse got on the scoresheet for the visitors. A 66th minute goal from Emily Cassap gave the visitors the lead with a little more than 20 minutes to play.

Group B

Leicester 2-1 Liverpool

First half goals from Aimee Palmer and Tash Flint saw the two sides go in level at the break after a balanced first half. Just five minutes after the break, Hannah Cain gave Leicester the lead in their Conti Cup clash to continue their impressive winning run.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City

Former Everton loanee Jess Park got the goal-scoring underway with a 21st minute opener. No sooner had the second half got underway, Man City’s star striker Bunny Shaw doubled the visitors lead. A late goal from Everton’s Toni Duggan put the hosts third in Group B, while the Sky Blues finished the evening joint group leaders with Leicester.

Group C

London City 2 (6)-(7) 2 Watford

Annie Rossiter’s 16th minute opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Lois Joel’s equaliser just five minutes later. An early second half goal for the hosts saw Grace Neville give her side the lead just four minutes after the break. A late goal for Coral-Jade Haines forced the game to a penalty shootout.

After a total of 13 penalties scored between the teams, Watford won the shootout claiming two points from the tie. The result moved the visitors second in Group C, separated from Crystal Palace only by goal difference.

Lewes 1 (2)-(0) 1 Crystal Palace

Despite good chances for both sides, neither team was able to find the opener throughout the first half. For much of the second half, it seemed as though Elsie Hughes’ 64th-minute goal would be enough to clinch all three points for the visitors. A goal deep into stoppage time from Hollie Olding however would be enough to send the tie to a penalty shootout. Lewes would take the additional point from the spot kicks as Palace failed to find the target. The win puts the hosts joint top of Group C whilst Palace join London City on a single point.

Group D

Tottenham 6-0 Reading

Two early goals from Zhang Linyan and Kit Graham gave the hosts a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into the break. Asmita Ale got the second half underway, bagging Spurs’ third of the evening just two minutes after the break. A fourth of the evening for the hosts came 10 minutes later, as Ria Percival found the back of the net. Further goals from Jess Naz and Martha Thomas capped off an impressive evening for the hosts.

Bristol 1 (3)-(4) 1 Southampton

Rachel Furness got the goal-scoring action underway for the hosts as she nodded the ball home in the 33rd minute. Lexi Lloyd-Smith found the reply for the visitors in the 50th minute as she converted Katie Wilkinson’s assist.

With the game level after 90 minutes, penalties were required to separate the two sides. With seven penalties scored between the teams, it was the visitors who would claim the victory. The additional point puts Southampton second in Group D with just one point separating them from top spot.

Group E

West Ham 2-1 Charlton

An opening half goal from Carla Humphrey got Championship side Charlton’s evening off to a dream start as they took on WSL side West Ham. Despite trailing at the break, the Hammers were able to find a route back into the tie through goals from Emma Harries and Isibeal Atkinson. The win put Rehanne Skinner’s side second in Group E, while Charlton moved third in the table.

Birmingham 0-3 Brighton

A 16th minute goal from Charlize Rule gave the visitors the early lead at St Andrew’s. A second for the Seagulls came almost straight after the break with Katie Robinson doubling Melissa Phillip’s side’s lead. A late third for Brighton assured the visitors all three points with Elisabeth Terland capping off the scoring for the evening.

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