Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.6 2020-21
P. 5

Leicester  City  are  the  new  leaders  of  the  FA  Women's  Championship
       following their 3-0 victory against London Bees. Natasha Flint put the
       Foxes in front when she curled home a shot after eight minutes and another
       fine strike from Paige Bailey-Gayle doubled their lead early in the second
       half. Millie Farrow wrapped up the points for Leicester with the third goal, nineteen minutes
       from time.
              Previous leaders Durham Women preserved their unbeaten record but are back
       in second place after being held to a goalless draw by fast improving Blackburn Rovers,
       who have now gone five matches without defeat themselves. Torrential rain throughout the
       match made it difficult for both teams who cancelled each other out the day in a game of few
       chances.
              Liverpool meanwhile stepped up their challenge with a 4-0 victory over Crystal
       Palace. Rinsola Babajide gave Liverpool a second minute lead after exchanging passes with
       Rachel Furness and the second came just after the half hour, Amy Rodgers scoring from
       distance. Palace tried to rally after the break but any hopes of a fightback were ended with
       fifteen minutes remaining when Amalie Thestrup drilled home a shot from the edge of the
       area and Babajide netted her second with a deflected strike in injury time.
              Lewes ended a run of three league matches without a win with a hard fought 2-1
       success against Charlton Athletic. The Rookettes inflicted the damage in the six minutes
       leading up to half time by scoring both goals, Megan Mackey putting them ahead by slotting
       home following a free kick and Samantha Quayle added the second when she broke through
       to tuck the ball past Eartha Cumings. Charlton pulled a goal back midway through the second
       half, courtesy of a neat chipped finish from Lois Heuchan, and the Addicks pressed hard for
       an  equaliser  but  Lewes  stood  firm  for  a  result
       which moves them to within one point of fifth  Durham Women 0
       placed Blackburn.                      Blackburn Rovers 0
              London  City  Lionesses  were  in -
       action for the first time in a month and made up Leicester City 3 (Flint 8, Bailey-Gayle 56, Farrow 71)
       for  lost  time  by  beating  Coventry  Utd  2-0,  London Bees 0
       continuing their climb towards mid-table. Lucy  - Lewes 2 (Mackey 39, Quayle 45)
       Fitzgerald gave the Lionesses the lead midway  Charlton Athletic 1 (Heuchan 64)
       through  the  first  half,  finishing  off  well  from -
       Atlanta  Primus'  cross  from  the  left.  Lily  Agg Liverpool 4 (Babajide 2,90, Rodgers 32, Thestrup 75)
       almost made it two with a shot which came back Crystal Palace 0
       off the bar but with twelve minutes remaining,  - London City Lionesses 2 (Fitzgerald 22, Balfour 78)
       Lionesses substitute Kallie Balfour secured the  Coventry Utd 0
       points for her side with a fine solo goal.
       CHAMPIONSHIP          P  W D  L  F  A Pts GD
       LEICESTER CITY        9  6  2  1 27 13 20  14
       DURHAM WFC            9  5  4  0 13 5  19  8     LEADING SCORERS
       SHEFFIELD UTD         9  5  2  2 17 5  17  Nat              Leicester City  7
                                               12asha FLINT
       LIVERPOOL             8  5  2  1 16 4  17  Bet             Durham Women  7
                                               12h HEPPLE
       BLACKBURN ROVERS      9  4  2  3 10 7  14  Kat 3ie WILKINSON  Sheffield Utd  7
       LEWES                 8  4  1  3  5  6  13  Rinsola BABAJIDE  Liverpool  5
                                                -1
       LONDON CITY LIONESSES  8  3  1  4 10 10 10  Paige BAILEY-GAYLE  Leicester City  5
                                                0
                                                -8
       CRYSTAL PALACE        9  2  2  5 13 21  8  Melissa JOHNSON  Sheffield Utd  5
       COVENTRY UTD          9  2  0  7  9 24  6  -15
       LONDON BEES           10 2  0  8  6 24  6  -18
       CHARLTON ATHLETIC     8  1  2  5  7 14  5  -7
        Issue no. 6 - 10 December 2020         news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk
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