Charlton Athletic 1 London City Lionesses 4
Charlton Athletic lost 4-1 to London City Lionesses on their return to The Valley after last week’s away trip, despite Jodie Hutton scoring a wonder goal.
London City made a faster start than the Addicks, forcing Sophie Whitehouse into the first save of the match from a looping effort off a corner kick.
That save spurred the Addicks into action as the next chance fell Charlton’s way.
Jodie Hutton made it all off her own good work, winning a challenge and bursting through the defence before her shot was blocked and skewed wide.
After 13 minutes, London City took the lead when Alexia Putellas put through Izzy Goodwin, whose first-time shot was just out of the reach of Sophie Whitehouse.
She soon after made it two for herself and her team when a Daniela Argues through ball found the forward running into the box, and she poked the ball under the onrushing Whitehouse.
Seemingly while trying to stop that goal, captain Kiera Skeels picked up an injury that ended her afternoon early. Ellie Mason came on to replace her.
London City settled into the game after going two up, dominating the ball and exerting their superiority in possession. The Addicks, though, also settled into a solid defensive shape, making key blocks, fighting for the ball, and constantly looking to create opportunities on the break.
The Addicks finally got their first goal of the season from their first shot on target, and it was an outrageous strike.
Hutton, tenacious all day, challenged for a header and just about won the tussle. The ball bounced behind both players, with Hutton getting their first. She took a touch, pushing the ball into the box and then unleashed a goal-of-the-month contender on the half-volley, off the underside of the crossbar.
It was a momentous occasion for Charlton, not only being a way back into the game, but also the first goal for Charlton in Barclays WSL history, and what a worthy goal that was.
Unfortunately, the one-goal margin only lasted for four minutes, as a deflected header by Jana Fernandez wrong-footed Whitehouse, making it 3-1 at the break.
The second half started with Grace Johnston on the pitch for Leighanne Robe, before more changes after 56 minutes saw Lorena Azzaro and Lucy Fitzgerald come on for Gillian Kenney and Cassandra Korhonen.
Charlton were much more in the game from the start of the second half 45, limiting London City to minor chances whilst looking more threatening themselves.
London City did eventually make it four, when a Danielle van de Donk shot was well saved by Whitehouse and Nicole Anyomi got to the ball, dispatching the rebound.
London City kept the pressure up, but Whitehouse repelled them until the end, the standout moment being the save from a Nikita Parris header that she palmed onto the post.
Whilst the Addicks build up play was clicking, the final ball wasn’t, meaning good opportunities went amiss. The game finished 4-1 to London City, but the sparks of what could be coming were there for Charlton.
Charlton: Whitehouse; Robe (Johnston 45), N’Dow (Flannery 77), Skeels (Mason 17), Lobato; Hutton, Van Egmond, Davidson, Siber; Korhonen (Azzaro 57), Kenney (Fitzgerald 57)
Subs (not used): Koivunen, Waldie, Humphrey, Lockwood
Goals: Hutton 39
Assists: Robe 39
Booked: Robe 40 (pulling), Mason 54 (pulling), Davidson 70 (pushing)
London City Lionesses: Lete, Fernandez (Thomsen 62), Kardinaal, Leon, Pattinson; Geyoro (Perez 82), Arques; Diani (Godfrey 62), Van de Donk (Parris 82), Putellas; Goodwin (Anyomi 62)
Subs (not used): Earps, Kafaji, Linari, Powroznik
Goals: Goodwin 14, 16, Fernandez 44, Anyomi 76
Assists: Putellas 14, Arques 16, Diani 44
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
Attendance: 1886