Birmingham City and Crystal Palace secure promotion to WSL

Birmingham City and Crystal Palace have secured computerized promotion to the WSL after a dramatic winner-takes-all finale noticed the Blues beat title rivals Charlton Athletic 2-0 on Saturday.

Charlton, who wanted a win or a draw to verify their computerized promotion, will enter a playoff decider in opposition to the WSL’s backside aspect, Leicester Cityon May 23 — which was confirmed following the Foxes’ 7-0 loss in opposition to Arsenal on Wednesday.

A double from membership document signing Wilma Leidhammar secured the win for Birmingham City, handing them the WSL 2 title, with Palace edging second place with a 6-1 win over portsmouth.

With the WSL increasing from 12 to 14 groups subsequent season, each Palace and the Blues had been ready to verify their spots within the league, whereas Charlton, who’ve led the way in which for almost all of the marketing campaign, had been left in third place, simply outdoors of the automated promotion locations.

Palace secured a right away return to the WSL after only one season within the second division, whereas Birmingham return after 4 years away, following their heartbreaking final-day loss to London City Lionesses final season.

South London aspect Palace, arguably had the best fixture of the day, going through a last-placed Portsmouth aspect, however had been shocked early into the sport when Megan Hornby scored within the third minute.

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They didn’t path for lengthy nonetheless, retaliating eight minutes later and scoring six previous the league strugglers.

At the Valley, Birmingham City had to maintain their lead for 13 further injury-time minutes earlier than they may start their celebrations and regardless of Charlton’s finest efforts, the full-time whistle cued wild celebrations because the guests had been topped champions.