Cardiff City beat Charlton to close the gap on Brighton

Cardiff City made the most of FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion being in cup action as they closed the gap to just a single point, with a 3-1 victory against Charlton.

After a hard-fought first half it was Charlton who took the lead as Nikita Whinnett made the most of some confusion in the Cardiff penalty area to slot past Laura O’Sullivan.

But this woke hosts Cardiff up and just minutes later they were level when Kelly Aldridge fired home.

Michelle Green then gave Cardiff the lead as she lifted the ball over oncoming visiting goalkeeper Megan Lynch.

And in the final minutes Lynch tried to take the ball past Aldridge only for the striker to tackle her and seal victory by stroking the ball into the unguarded net.

Coventry United were the big winners on Sunday as they left Plymouth Argyle with a 4-0 victory to show for their efforts.

Dani Selmes got the ball rolling with a superb half-volley before she doubled the visitors lead when through one-on-one.

Helen Dermody added a third after more great play by Selmes before Maz Gauntlet scored the goal of the game to seal the three points, rocketing home from 25 yards.

Defeat leaves Plymouth third from bottom while Coventry United are fifth on 12 points.

QPR’s search for their first points of the season continues after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Lewes.

Lauren May’s third-minute opener had fired Rangers into an early lead, but Ellie Lock’s first-half double handed the Rookettes the half-time advantage at Honeycroft. 

The FA WPL trophy

The R’s cause wasn’t helped by the late dismissal of defender Micaela Lopes, which was immediately followed by Kelly Newton’s goal to seal victory for the visitors. 

Forest Green Rovers were celebrating just their second win of the campaign as they left West Ham with a 3-0 victory.

Jordan Guard got the ball rolling for the visitors with the opening goal before Kirsty Richardson doubled Forest Green Rovers’ lead from the penalty spot.

Ella Hitchcox added a third before half-time but West Ham – who remain second from bottom – improved after the break to keep their visitors at bay.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur are now just four points behind leaders Brighton as they beat C&K Basildon Ladies 4-1 at the Frost Financial Stadium.

There was one Premier League Cup game in action but it was an exciting one as Charlotte Gurr’s dramatic extra-time double sent Brighton & Hove Albion into the first round proper with a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth at Privett Park.

Imi Umotong gave Pompey the lead after 24 minutes; the Nigerian international seeing her first shot saved by Faye Baker before netting the rebound with a diving header. 

But after some constant pressure the Seagulls found an equaliser in the 56th minute as Kate Natkiel clinically dispatched a shot past Sadie Blakely at the second attempt.

That was how the game remained but in extra-time Gurr’s eighth and ninth goals of the season – the second a sumptuous chip – sent Brighton through to set up a first round meeting at Queens Park Rangers.