Flannery’s Charlton Top Durham, Walsh to Cup Final 2026

Key Points

• Keira Flannery, on loan from West Ham United Women, played the full 90 minutes as Charlton Athletic defeated Durham 4-2 at The Valley on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run to 26 Barclays Women’s Super League 2 games.
• Charlton took the lead through Karin Muya on 25 minutes; the first half saw three goals in nine minutes, with Mariana Speckmaier equalising for Durham, followed by quick strikes from Lucy Fitzgerald and Gillian Kenney to make it 3-1 at half-time.
• In the second half, Elisha N’Dow’s own goal with five minutes remaining made it 3-2, but Katie Lockwood sealed the win moments later, extending Charlton’s lead at the top of the league to eight points over second-place Birmingham City, who have a game in hand.
• Third-place Bristol City lost 2-0 at home to Southampton, with goals from Tegan McGowan in first-half stoppage time and Ellie Brazil in second-half stoppage time; West Ham loanee Camila Sáez was an unused substitute for Bristol City, who remain three points off automatic promotion spots despite two games fewer played than Birmingham.
• Nottingham Forest’s match at Sunderland was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, so West Ham loanees Jessie Stapleton and Rebekah Dowsett did not feature.
• Soraya Walsh, another West Ham loanee, was named as a substitute as Hashtag United thrashed Bowers & Pitsea 6-1 in the BBC Essex Women’s Cup semi-final, with braces from Elicia Mulvaney and Honor Norton, plus goals from Flo Jackson and Isabelle Tomlin; Hashtag United will face their Reserves in the final on Thursday, 16 April.

London (East London Times) February 16, 2026 – Two West Ham United Women’s loanees shone for their temporary clubs over the weekend, as Keira Flannery helped Charlton Athletic to a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Durham in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2, while Soraya Walsh’s Hashtag United booked their place in the BBC Essex Women’s Cup final with a dominant 6-1 win.​

Charlton’s triumph at The Valley marked their 26th consecutive unbeaten league game, solidifying their position at the summit. Flannery, the West Ham midfielder on loan, featured for the full 90 minutes in the contest.​

Who Led Charlton to Victory Over Durham?

Karin Muya opened the scoring for Charlton on 25 minutes, giving the home side a deserved lead. The first half then exploded into life with three goals in just nine minutes, as reported in the original match coverage.​

Mariana Speckmaier pulled one back for the visitors to level the score, but Charlton responded swiftly. Lucy Fitzgerald and Gillian Kenney struck in quick succession, restoring the two-goal advantage by half-time.​

The second half remained tense, with Elisha N’Dow unfortunate to score an own goal five minutes from time, reducing the deficit to one. Katie Lockwood, however, wrapped up the three points moments later, ensuring Charlton’s eight-point lead at the top, though Birmingham City hold a game in hand.​

As detailed in the Women’s Loan Watch update, Flannery’s full-match involvement underscored her growing influence at Charlton.

What Happened in Bristol City’s Defeat?

Third-place Bristol City suffered a 2-0 home reverse against Southampton, denting their promotion push. Tegan McGowan netted in first-half stoppage time, with Ellie Brazil adding a second in second-half stoppage time to seal the points for the Saints.​

Defender Camila Sáez, on loan from West Ham United, remained an unused substitute for the Robins. Bristol City now sit three points adrift of the automatic promotion places, having played two fewer matches than Birmingham.​

This result highlights the competitive nature of the division, where every point counts in the race for promotion.​

Why Was Nottingham Forest’s Game Postponed?

Nottingham Forest’s scheduled clash away at Sunderland fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, leading to a postponement. Consequently, West Ham loanees Jessie Stapleton and Rebekah Dowsett, both at the Tricky Trees, did not see action over the weekend.​

Such weather-related disruptions are not uncommon in the lower tiers, affecting fixture schedules across the women’s game.​

How Did Hashtag United Secure Cup Progression?

Soraya Walsh’s Hashtag United cruised into the BBC Essex Women’s Cup final with a comprehensive 6-1 home victory over Bowers & Pitsea in the semi-final. Walsh herself was named among the substitutes for the match.​

Elicia Mulvaney and Honor Norton each claimed braces, while Flo Jackson and Isabelle Tomlin also found the net. The Tags will now face Hashtag United Reserves in the showpiece event on Thursday, 16 April.​

This emphatic win showcases Hashtag United’s attacking prowess under Walsh’s temporary stewardship.​

What Is the Impact on West Ham’s Loan Players?

The weekend’s results provide a mixed bag for West Ham United Women, with Flannery gaining valuable minutes in Charlton’s title charge. Sáez’s bench role at Bristol City offers tactical flexibility, though game time remains key for her development.​

Stapleton and Dowsett’s inactivity due to postponement means they await their next opportunity at Nottingham Forest. Walsh’s cup progression adds another positive note, even from the bench.​

These loan spells are proving fruitful, exposing players to high-stakes environments across various competitions.​

How Does Charlton’s Unbeaten Run Compare in the League?

Charlton’s 26-game unbeaten streak in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 is a remarkable feat, positioning them as frontrunners. Their eight-point cushion over Birmingham, despite the game in hand, speaks to their consistency.​

Bristol City’s slip keeps the pressure on, but their games in hand offer hope. Durham’s spirited fightback, despite the loss, indicates the division’s depth.​

Southampton’s late goals against Bristol demonstrate their clinical edge in tight contests.​

Who Were the Key Goalscorers Across Matches?

In Charlton’s win, Muya, Fitzgerald, Kenney, and Lockwood were decisive, with N’Dow’s own goal adding drama. Mulvaney and Norton’s doubles powered Hashtag United, alongside Jackson and Tomlin.​

McGowan and Brazil’s stoppage-time strikes proved pivotal for Southampton. Speckmaier’s equaliser for Durham was a highlight in defeat.​

These performances underline the talent bubbling in women’s football’s second tier.​

What Lies Ahead for These Loan Clubs?

Charlton will look to maintain their dominance, with Flannery central to their ambitions. Hashtag United’s cup final on 16 April presents Walsh with a chance for silverware.​

Bristol City must regroup quickly to close the promotion gap. Nottingham Forest’s rescheduled fixture will test Stapleton and Dowsett.​

The Barclays Women’s Super League 2 remains fiercely contested, with promotion and cup glory up for grabs.

Broader Context of Women’s Football Loans

West Ham United’s strategy of loaning players like Flannery, Sáez, Stapleton, Dowsett, and Walsh fosters development across leagues. Such moves benefit all parties, providing minutes and experience.​

The inverted pyramid of the weekend’s action—from Charlton’s summit extension to Hashtag’s cup joy—captures the vibrancy of the women’s game.