Millwall’s excellent unbeaten run ended as Charlton miss out on top spot – women’s football round-up

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the FA Women’s Championship after conceding a late equaliser against Sunderland at The Valley on Sunday.

The Addicks took the lead late on when Tegan McGowan scored in the 90th minute but a strike five minutes into added time from Katy Watson denied Karen Hills’ side all three points.

The South Londoners also failed to convert a 53rd minute penalty. Kayleigh Green was brought down but saw her spot kick saved by Black Cats keeper Claudia Moan.

Charlton stayed top of the second tier on goal difference, with Sunderland level on 22 points after the first 11 games.

“We had done enough in the second half to win the game,” Hills told CharltonTV.

“We had a lot of opportunities and chances. Sunderland had a couple in the first half and it could have looked a little bit different, but the way we started the second half was positive.

“Young Tegan came on for her first opportunity to play after coming back from an ACL injury and took her goal superbly.

“I’m pleased with our defensive performance but it’s about managing those moments, especially in those latter stages of the game when emotions are high and you have just scored – you need to manage the game better.”

Crystal Palace missed the chance to move top of the table after they suffered a 4-3 defeat to Southampton at Selhurst Park.

The visitors went ahead in the 13th minute through Molly Pike, but Aimee Everett levelled for the Eagles five minutes later.

Ella Morris restored Southampton’s lead before a double from Elise Hughes put Laura Kaminski’s side 3-2 up.

Rianna Dean and Katie Wilkinson scored for Southampton in the final 20 minutes to end Palace’s two-game winning run.

Chelsea secured a 5-1 win at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

A hat-trick from Lauren James and goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Sjoeke Nusken saw Emma Hayes’ side keep their three-point gap over second-place Arsenal at the top of the Super League. James has scored four goals this season in her first six top-flight games.

“Lauren knows what I think of her,” said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. “She’s a young player still and we always want everything from young players, but she showed the best of herself. She was unstoppable.

“She’s the most naturally gifted footballer in the country – she does things with very little back-lift. Lauren is a really, really intelligent footballer. Forget the technical bit, she’s really intelligent.”

Hayes was announced as the new boss of the USA Women’s national team last week. The 47-year-old will become the world’s highest-paid women’s football coach when she leaves the Blues.

They host mid-table Leicester at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.

Millwall Lionesses suffered their first defeat under co-caretaker managers Adam Rowland and Alex Russell after losing 1-0 at home to Dulwich Hamlet in the London and South East Women’s Regional Football League,

Their seven-game winning run came to an end following a strike from the visitors in the 84th minute.

AFC Wimbledon extended their lead at the top of the National League Division One South East after a 4-2 win over London Seaward.

A brace from Ashleigh Goddard, an own goal and a late strike from Sandra Soares-Martins made the difference for Kevin Foster’s side.

The Dons are six points clear of second-placed Norwich City.