Charlton 0 Liverpool 4
Charlton Athletic Women were well beaten by a strong Liverpool side, 4-0, on their return to the top flight of English women’s football and their debut in the Barclays WSL. Despite the loss, the Addicks had moments in the game which they can build on for the rest of the season.
Liverpool started stronger and were rewarded with an early goal. A short corner routine came to nothing, but they recycled the corner for Cornelia Kapocs to float a ball into the box, which Sophie Whitehouse palmed out. The ball fell straight to Grace Fisk, who finished with a simple volley.
Charlton grew into the game after the early setback and had the next best chance when Ellie Mason smashed the ball high over the bar after receiving it free on the left-hand side of the box.
The Addicks kept Liverpool chances to nought for another 10 minutes before Whitehouse was called into action to perform a brilliant double save from Ceri Holland, first saving her downward header before charging down the follow-up.
On a hot day in SE7, Karen Hills’ side saw some good opportunities come from set pieces, but they never managed to hit the target.
The second half started with Liverpool on top, and they made that advantage pay in the 52nd minute when Fisk ran onto a long pull-back outside the area to side-foot the ball into the net.
Liverpool kept on the pressure and scored their third when Holland’s shot rebounded off Kiera Skeels and landed at the feet of Vivien Endemann. She controlled and hit a bouncing ball into the roof of the net, giving Whitehouse little chance to get there.
Both Lorena Azzaro and Grace Johnston were subbed on, making their competitive debuts for the Addicks, along with Emily van Egmond, Ash Neville, Leah Davidson and Paula Partido, who all started.
The scoreline was made even better for the travelling fans when Natalia Alvarez was tripped in the box by Neville and Kopacs stepped up to put the ball to Whitehouse’s left, scoring Liverpool’s fourth.
Even in defeat, there were positives to take. Neville looked assured at right wing-back, making great tackles and proving a good outlet. Both Van Egmond and the returning Keira Flannery were composed in the midfield, helping the defence and being part of the offence.
The Barclays WSL season is now up and running as Charlton head to Goodison Park next week to take on Everton at 2pm on Sunday, September 13.
Charlton return to The Valley the week after to face London City Lionesses on Saturday, September 19 at 12.30pm.
You can get tickets to that game now, here!
Charlton: Whitehouse; Mason (Johnston 64), N’Dow (Lobato 55), Skeels; Fitzgerald (Siber 55), Flannery, Van Egmond, Neville; Partido (Azzaro 55), Hutton, Davidson (Lockwood 84)
Subs (not used): Koivunen, Pedersen, Waldie, Humphrey, Robe
Booked: N’Dow 50 (late tackle), Fitzgerald 52 (pulling), Whitehouse 90+5 (time wasting)
Liverpool: Keating; Fisk, Kapocs, Nagano (Ramos 72), Endemann (Bergstrom 67), Olsson (Csillag 72), Clark, Holland (Hobinger 67), MacLean, Kerr, Bernabe (Agrez 72)
Subs (not used): Kirby, Enderby, Woodham, Breen
Goal: Fisk 8, 52; Endenmann 62
Assist: Kopacs 8, Endenmann 52
Booked: Holland 15 (late tackle), Nagano 27 (holding)
Referee: Sophie Dennington
Attendance: 2151