Barclays WSL2 Matchday 20 Preview
The Barclays WSL2 heads into its final round of fixtures before the international break with the table still far from settled and pressure building at both ends. The promotion race is tightening, the relegation battle remains congested, and with just a handful of games left, there is little room for error.
By the time the league returns and moves towards its conclusion on Saturday 2nd May, outcomes will start to be decided, but first, this weekend offers a set of fixtures that could shift momentum in a significant way. Below, we take a closer look at all of the action across a pivotal Easter weekend in the BWSL2.
Southampton vs Sheffield United
Friday 3rd April, Silverlake Stadium, 12:30pm
Southampton and Sheffield United meet at the Silverlake Stadium with both sides still having plenty to play for, even if their ambitions are very different at this stage of the season.
The Saints sit sixth in the league, comfortably in midtable, and while a seven-point gap to the promotion play-off places with three games left makes a late push look highly unlikely, they are still not mathematically out of the picture. For Sheffield United, by contrast, the stakes are far more immediate. Stephen Healy’s side are only four points clear of the bottom and know that with two games in hand on Portsmouth, a win here would go a long way towards strengthening their hold on a place in the division.
Both clubs head into the game in good spirits after important wins last weekend. Southampton showed real resilience to come from behind and beat Ipswich Town 2-1, with Rachel Brown’s stoppage-time winner sealing a dramatic comeback and underlining the Saints’ ability to find a result when it matters. Sheffield United’s victory was just as significant in a different way, as they edged past Portsmouth 2-1 in a tense relegation clash at Bramall Lane. Joy Ralph gave them the lead before an own goal doubled their advantage, and although Portsmouth threatened a late fightback, the Blades held firm to claim a valuable three points.
History points firmly in Southampton’s favour, with Simon Parker’s side having won all three previous meetings between the sides. The reverse fixture in December was a composed 2-0 away win, with defenders Jess Simpson and Amy Goddard both on target in a result that reflected their control over the contest. That record should give Southampton confidence, but Sheffield United’s survival fight and recent win over a direct rival suggest they will arrive with belief of their own.
There is also plenty of familiarity in the dugout and the dressing room. Southampton’s Fran Stenson, Rachel Brown, Tara Bourne and Aimee Palmer could all face their old club, adding an extra edge to a fixture that already carries significance for both sides.
On paper, Southampton have the stronger underlying numbers. The Saints rank fourth in the league for both goals scored and goals conceded per 90, while also sitting among the division’s best for big chances created and clean sheets. Sheffield United, by comparison, have struggled badly for attacking output all season, averaging fewer than a goal per game and keeping just one clean sheet. Their defensive record has improved slightly, but they remain a side built more on survival than control.
Even so, the Blades have done enough recently to suggest this will not be straightforward for the hosts. Amy Andrews remains their main attacking threat with six goals, while Joy Ralph will be hoping to build on last week’s opening goal. Southampton, though, are likely to have more of the ball and more of the chances, especially if Ellie Brazil is fit to return alongside Mary Bashford, who has already shown she can deliver in decisive moments last weekend.
It sets up a contest where both teams know exactly what is at stake: Southampton trying to finish strongly and keep the faintest of promotion hopes alive, and Sheffield United fighting for points that could prove vital in their battle for survival.
Durham vs Bristol City
Sunday 5th April, Maiden Castle, 12:00pm
Durham and Bristol City meet at Maiden Castle in a game that carries real weight at both ends of the BWSL2 table. For Durham, the picture is stark: they remain embroiled in a relegation battle, sitting 10th and just a point above bottom-side Portsmouth, albeit with a game in hand. A win on Sunday would not settle everything, but it would go a long way towards strengthening their case for survival.
Bristol City, meanwhile, are still in the promotion race and know anything other than three points would make the task increasingly difficult. They sit fifth, five points behind Crystal Palace in the promotion play-off place, and with only three games left, they realistically need to be close to perfect if they are to force their way into the top three.
Durham are still waiting for their first points under interim boss Neil Redfearn, who took over from Adam Furness on 15 March. Last time out, the Wildcats were beaten 2-1 away at Nottingham Forest, and the manner of that defeat will have been particularly frustrating. They fell two goals behind inside the opening two minutes after a sluggish start and although Lily Agg pulled one back before the interval, they were unable to find a leveller. In a relegation fight where margins are so tight, another slow start is the last thing they needed, and Redfearn will be looking for a sharper, more disciplined response this weekend.
Bristol City arrive in the North East on the back of a damaging setback of their own. Charlotte Healy’s side were edged out 1-0 by Birmingham City at Ashton Gate last weekend, a result that dented their promotion hopes and underlined how unforgiving the race at the top has become. The Robins know they cannot afford many more slip-ups if they are to stay in touch with the teams above them, and this feels like the kind of fixture they simply have to win if they are to keep their top-flight dream alive.
Recent history is in Bristol City’s favour. They have won three of the four previous meetings between the sides, with Durham taking the other, and the reverse fixture in October saw the Robins come out on top 2-1. Sophie Ingle gave them the lead before Vicky Losada added a second, and although Mollie Lambert pulled one back in the second half, Durham could not get back on level terms. That result will give the visitors confidence, but it also serves as a reminder that Durham can make life awkward if they stay in the game for long enough.
Beth Hepple remains Durham’s main attacking threat and key source of creativity, with seven league goals and nine goal contributions overall this season. Lambert, meanwhile, will be particularly motivated after scoring against Bristol City already this campaign and has shown she can make an impact in games of this type. Durham will need both of them, and more, if they are to trouble a City side that still carries plenty of firepower of its own.
The Robins have goals throughout their side. Lexi Lloyd-Smith and Rio Hardy are both joint top scorers in the division with eight goals each, while Jessie Gale adds another dangerous attacking option with seven league goals. Even after their quiet afternoon against Birmingham City, the Robins remain one of the league’s most potent sides when they find their rhythm, and they will be determined to rediscover that edge here.
The numbers back that up. Durham’s season has been a difficult one statistically, with the Wildcats ranking ninth in the league for goals scored per 90 and 10th for goals conceded per match. They have kept just three clean sheets and created only 24 big chances all season, which helps explain why so many of their matches have become uphill battles. There is some resilience in their possession figures, though, with Durham averaging 49.9 per cent of the ball, which suggests they are not always being overrun even if the end product has too often been lacking.
Bristol City’s numbers are much stronger. They rank second in the league for goals scored per match, have kept five clean sheets, and sit inside the division’s top three for shots on target and big chances created. Their defensive record is respectable rather than outstanding, but it is their ability to score that has kept them in the promotion hunt. Averaging 52.5 per cent possession also speaks to a side comfortable dictating games, especially against opponents who sit deeper and look to counter.
There is also an added layer to the occasion, with Rio Hardy, Maria Farrugia and Lily Agg all returning to face former clubs. That should give the fixture a little extra edge, but the real story is obvious enough: Durham need points to pull away from danger, while Bristol City need them to keep their promotion push alive.
Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town
Sunday 5th April, VBS Community Stadium, 2:00pm
Crystal Palace will be looking to continue their excellent form and take another step towards promotion when they host Ipswich Town this weekend. Jo Potter’s side currently sit third in the BWSL2, occupying the promotion play-off spot, three points clear of Newcastle United below and six points behind Charlton Athletic in the automatic promotion places with a game in hand on the Addicks. With only three games remaining, it remains finely poised at the top, and Palace know that another win here would keep the pressure firmly on those above, while keeping their play-off spot secure. They also come into the game in outstanding form, now unbeaten in their last five league matches, winning four of them, a run that has given real momentum to their promotion push.
Ipswich Town, meanwhile, find themselves in a very different battle. The Tractor Girls sit 11th, level on points with bottom side Portsmouth and only above them on goal difference. However, they do have two games in hand on Pompey, which could prove crucial if they can turn performances into points in the final weeks of the season.
Palace arrive full of confidence after a statement 3-2 win over league leaders Charlton Athletic last weekend, which handed the Addicks just their third league defeat of the campaign. Despite falling behind, goals from Hayley Ladd, Kirsty Howat and Abbie Larkin turned the game around before the Eagles held firm through late pressure. It was a performance that underlined both their attacking quality and their growing resilience at a crucial stage of the campaign.
The Tractor Girls’ last result could hardly have been more contrasting. They suffered a cruel 2-1 home defeat to Southampton, conceding a stoppage-time winner after Lucy Ashworth-Clifford had cancelled out the Saints’ early opener. It was a result that left David Wright’s side frustrated, particularly given their strong spells of pressure, and one that keeps them firmly entrenched in the relegation fight.
There is also recent history that favours the hosts. The Eagles have won both of the two previous meetings between the sides, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season. On that occasion, Ipswich led through Sophie Peskett before Palace’s second-half quality, via Ashleigh Weerden and Abbie Larkin, proved decisive.
Key players are likely to have a major say once again. Larkin, fresh from scoring last weekend, is now the league’s joint-top scorer with eight goals, while Weerden continues to be one of the division’s most creative forces, leading the league with eight assists. Howat, with 10 goal contributions this season, adds further threat in the final third.
For Ipswich, Peskett remains their standout attacking outlet and will be eager to replicate her earlier success against Palace, while defensive figures such as Paige Peake and captain Maria Boswell will need to be at their best to withstand sustained pressure.
Statistically, the contrast between the two sides is clear. Palace rank third in the league for goals per game and average over 55 per cent possession, reflecting their ability to control matches and create chances consistently. Ipswich, by contrast, rank near the bottom across most attacking metrics, averaging less than a goal per game and creating the fewest big chances in the division, while also having the lowest average possession. That suggests this could be a game where Palace dominate the ball and territory, with Town relying on defensive organisation and moments of transition.
There is also an added layer of intrigue, with Natalia Negri and Rianna Dean potentially returning to face their former club.
Everything points towards a match defined by contrasting pressures: Palace pushing to keep their promotion momentum alive and Ipswich fighting for the points that could be vital in their bid to avoid relegation.
Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest
Sunday 5th April, Gateshead International Stadium, 2:00pm
Newcastle United host Nottingham Forest in a game that could have a significant bearing on the promotion race, while also offering Forest a chance to measure themselves against one of the division’s strongest sides. For the Magpies, the equation is straightforward: they need to keep winning if they are to close the gap on the top three. They sit fourth in the BWSL2, three points behind Crystal Palace in the promotion play-off spot, so anything less than three points would leave their margin for error dangerously slim.
Tanya Oxtoby’s side head into the weekend in encouraging form, unbeaten in their last seven league games after rescuing a point in last weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby. They fell behind at Sunderland, but Oona Sevenius’ late equaliser ensured the points were shared and the bragging rights remained split. The Magpies may have hoped for more against lower-placed opposition, but in a derby that was as tense and emotional as it was hard-fought, a point was not disastrous. What matters now is whether they can turn that momentum into a winning run at precisely the right time of the season.
Forest arrive with some confidence of their own after back-to-back wins over relegation-threatened sides. Joy Omewa and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah struck inside the opening 20 minutes against Durham last weekend, allowing the Reds to take control early and see the game out despite conceding once before the interval. That kind of fast start could again be crucial here, as United are the sort of team that will punish any lapse in concentration, especially at home.
The head-to-head record suggests a competitive afternoon. Newcastle have won two of the three previous meetings, including a 2-1 away win in the reverse fixture in September, when goals from Emily Murphy and Molly Pike proved enough to secure the points. But Forest will take confidence from the fact that the sides also met in the Subway League Cup in November, when the Reds came from behind to record their first ever win over the Magpies. Beth Lumsden had given Newcastle the lead that day, only for Aimee Claypole and Kirsty Smith to turn the game around quickly, a reminder that Forest are capable of hurting Newcastle if they are given any space.
The attacking talent on both sides gives the fixture plenty of appeal. Murphy remains Newcastle’s leading scorer with seven league goals and will again be central to their hopes of making pressure count in the final third. Lumsden, with seven goal contributions, has also been one of their most reliable performers. Jordan Nobbs, meanwhile, continues to be the heartbeat of the side, with 10 goal involvements this season and the kind of experience that often proves invaluable in games with so much riding on them. At the back, Aoife Mannion’s ever-present presence has helped give Newcastle much of their defensive structure.
Forest have their own match-winners too. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah has been in excellent form, taking her league tally to seven goals and keeping herself in the mix for the golden boot race, while young striker Claypole has also shown she can make a difference in advanced areas.
The numbers underline both the threat and the uncertainty around Forest: they rank fifth for goals scored per match and are excellent in possession, but have also missed a significant number of big chances this season, which means they often depend on their forwards being sharp when it matters most.
Statistically, the contest looks well-matched in possession. Forest lead the league for average possession at 60.6 per cent, while the Magpies are close behind on 57.2 per cent, so both sides are comfortable with the ball and capable of building attacks patiently. United’s underlying numbers are particularly impressive, with the Magpies ranking second in the league for goals conceded per game at 1.1 and having kept four clean sheets. Forest, meanwhile, have scored 1.3 goals per game and conceded 1.6, which suggests they can compete but may still leave openings if Newcastle move the ball quickly enough.
That balance makes this a fascinating fixture. Newcastle need the win to stay in the promotion hunt, while Forest will be looking to continue their positive finish and test themselves against one of the league’s most complete sides. With both teams preferring to have the ball and both capable of moving it well, this has the potential to be one of the more finely balanced games of the weekend.
Play our Score Predictor?
See how many results you can get right across Matchday 20 of the Barclays WSL2, by using our new Score Predictor.