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

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