The second round of the Subway Players Cup brought just as much excitement as the first as some hard to predict fixtures took place on Wednesday night.
All seven matches saw BWSL teams come out on top, meaning that we are yet to see a BWSL2 team win a game as we head into round three.
West Ham’s Oona Siren, Liverpool’s Marie Höbinger and Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall all scored braces, whilst matchweek two of the Subway Players Cup also brought about the first red card of the season as Southampton goalkeeper Alina Santos was sent off in the first half.
As it stands, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and London City Lionesses share the top spot in the table, having secured six points each.
West Ham United 3-1 Southampton
This fixture was packed with action as the home side secured a win for the second week in a row. Despite this, it was Southampton’s Ellie Brazil who opened matchweek two with a shot from inside the box just two minutes into the first half.
Southampton were down to ten players for much of the match after goalkeeper Alina Santos received a red card, the first of this season’s Subway Players Cup. Despite this, the BWSL2 side sustained their lead for the rest of the half, with a 0-1 scoreline as the half time whistle blew.
However, the tables turned in the second half, West Ham taking a 3-1 victory thanks to a close range shot by forward Leila Wandeler and a brace scored by Oona Siren.
Crystal Palace 3-0 Charlton Athletic
Crystal Palace picked up a second Subway Players Cup win this week in a battle between two of the BWSL’s newcomers. Midfielder Shanade Hopcroft put the home side in front with a right footed shot and Kirsty Howat reinforcing the lead in the second half, scoring from inside the box.
A long-range strike from summer signing Lexi Lloyd-Smith formed the third goal of the game, after the forward was subbed on in the 80th minute. Despite their defensive efforts, Charlton Athletic will need to put out a more confident performance in their next Subway Players Cup meeting against Bristol City if they are to pick up points any time soon.
Durham 1-5 Manchester United
Despite a shaky start in the BWSL, Manchester United are performing well in the Subway Players Cup having obtained two victories so far. Despite this, the away side were unable to keep a clean sheet against the BWSL2 team – Durham forward Lucy Watson capitalised from a free kick, scoring the second goal of this six-goal thriller.
The away side’s five goals came from the likes of Rebeca Bernal, Dominique Janssen, Monica Jusu Bah, Mared Griffiths and Elisabeth Terland. This notably marks a debut goal for Swedish midfielder Jusu Bah, who signed with the club from BK Häcken in August.
Durham’s next Subway Players Cup meeting will see them face BWSL2 newcomers Burnley, perhaps providing them with an opportunity to secure their first cup win of the season.
Birmingham City 3-4 Liverpool
This week marked another cup win for Liverpool, despite tough competition in the form of Birmingham City.
The Reds were quick to take the lead, Marie Höbinger finding the back of the net four minutes into the game with a shot from distance. Birmingham City defender Marie Levasseur equalised later, creating a level playing field heading into the second half.
Despite Birmingham City’s Lee Geum-min and Wilma Leidhammar adding their names to the scoresheet, it was ultimately Liverpool that secured a victory thanks to second half goals from Neve McDonald and Natalia Ramos Álvarez, as well as Marie Höbinger scoring her second of the night.
Ipswich Town 0-1 London City Lionesses
This meeting almost brought about the first major upset as Ipswich Town held their ground until the final minutes. Despite London City Lionesses looking like the stronger team on paper, it was not until the 90th minute that the away side were able to make it 0-1.
Ipswich Town provided threats in attack and put in an impressive defensive performance in their first cup game of the season, though eventually faced defeat after second half substitute Danielle Van de Donk’s strike found the top left corner of the goal.
The away side certainly used this fixture to demonstrate their squad depth, making five substitutions in the second half. A noticeable absence from the pitch however was Alexia Putellas who remained on the bench.
With Wolverhampton up next, Ipswich Town are certainly ones to watch in terms of upcoming winners, having maintained a clean sheet for the majority of this week’s fixture.
Aston Villa 3-1 Newcastle United
The second 3-1 scoreline of the night arrived after Aston Villa hosted Newcastle United.
On loan from Manchester City, Lily Murphy opened the scoring with her debut goal for Aston Villa, before right winger Oona Sevenius equalised in the 27th minute. Aston Villa took the lead late in the game after England international Lucia Kendall scored a brace.
Newcastle United have an important meeting on the horizon, their next Subway Cup fixture presenting them with a Tyne-Wear derby.
Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
The final fixture of matchweek two resulted in Tottenham Hotspur’s first Subway Players Cup win of the season, having narrowly lost to West Ham United last week in a penalty shootout.
Olivia Holdt’s strike into the top right corner, assisted by summer signing Victoria Pelova, created the only goal of this match and put the away side in the lead.
