Bristol take top spot from Rovers

By Tony Leighton

Bristol Academy took over top spot in the Women's Premier League with an impressive 3-1 win at previous leaders Blackburn Rovers.

A stunning second-half display earned Bristol a convincing away victory.

Watford striker Helen Lander bagged a brace as the Hornets avenged an opening day 1-0 defeat by Birmingham with a 3-2 away win that lifted them up to second.

In Sunday's other game, a late own goal equaliser by Vicky Jones handed Cardiff City a 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE

Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Bristol Academy

Three goals in the first 16 minutes of the second half gave the Academy victory.

After Cheryl Williams had opened the scoring Kerry Bartlett, with her fourth goal of the season, doubled the advantage.

Gwennan Harries hit the killer third goal just after the hour, though in the 68th minute Rovers pulled a goal back through Caroline Dixon.

Birmingham City 2-3 Watford

Lander chased a long ball by Miranda Hall to put Watford ahead after just nine minutes.

The striker doubled her goal tally five minutes later with a similar effort, this time Emma Thomas providing the assist.

Lander then turned provider, pulling the ball back for Ashlee Hincks to added the third Watford goal in the 27th minute.

A heavy defeat looked on the cards for Birmingham, but a double substitution led to the home side grabbing the initiative.

Substitute Maz Ballard, in her first game back after having a baby, started the move that led to Heather Scheuber reducing the arrears in the 67th minute.

Two minutes later Ballard scored herself after a Michelle Archer shot had hit the post.

And Ballard went agonisingly close to equalising with a late effort that struck the bar.

Cardiff City 1-1 Liverpool

Kelly Jones put the visitors in front on the half-hour, but Cardiff hit back hard and Caroline Cooper was unlucky with a 37th minute shot that hit the bar.

The Bluebirds continued their search for an equaliser after the break and were rewarded 10 minutes from time, when Jones sliced an intended clearance into her own net.