London City Lionesses promoted to WSL with draw at Birmingham City | OneFootball

London City Lionesses have been promoted to the Barclays Women’s Super League for the very first time after recording a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park this afternoon.

The Pride needed a positive result to rubber stamp their place in English football’s top division. They led 2-0 thanks to goals from Isobel Goodwin and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and while they were pegged back, they were able to hold on for a point which guaranteed their promotion.

It was Birmingham City who went close to breaking the deadlock after 14 minutes but Emily van Egmond’s effort was blocked by Boye-Hlorkah.

At the other end, Goodwin fired the ball into the net for London City Lionesses but her effort was ruled out for offside. Boye-Hlorkah then saw an effort cleared off the line before Goodwin was denied by Birmingham City goalkeeper Adrianna Franch.

London City Lionesses opened the scoring early in the second half when Goodwin produced an emphatic finish from 20 yards. Boye-Hlorkah then made it 2-0 when she headed home from a corner kick.

Birmingham City responded and they pulled a goal back just after the hour mark. London City Lionesses keeper Emily Orman was unable to claim a ball in the six-yard box and Van Egmond headed home.

Simone Magill was then denied by Orman as the Blues searched for an equaliser before Franch diverted a Goodwin effort wide at the opposite end.

Birmingham City levelled matters with four minutes to go. Cho So-hyun thumped the ball into the net after connecting with a cross from the right.

The Blues threw everything at London City Lionesses at the death but The Pride hung on desperately for a decisive point.

London City Lionesses’ promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League comes six years on from the club’s creation.