Charlton Athletic Women’s first away game of the season ended in defeat as Durham ran out 2-0 winners at Maiden Castle on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Kathryn Hill and Beth Hepple secured the Addicks’ first defeat of the season.
The hosts had a dream start as Hill scored in just the third minute after the Addicks failed to clear from a corner, allowing Hill to curl the ball into the back of the net.
Charlton struggled to maintain possession throughout a scrappy first half which saw three Durham players go into the referee’s book.
The Addicks almost went 2-0 down in the 32nd minute, but outstanding goal-line blocks from Hannah Godfrey and Hollie Olding kept Charlton in it.
Charlton had a shout for handball on the stroke of half-time after a strike from the edge of the box, however the officials waved away the claims and the Addicks went into the break 1-0 down.
Less than ten minutes into the second half Durham were awarded a penalty after the referee deemed Godfrey had handled the ball in the penalty area. Hepple sent Eartha Cumings the wrong way to double Durham’s lead.
Charlton grew into the second half however struggled to find any clear-cut chances.
In the 64th minute Anna Filbey played a good ball into the path of Megan Wynne, but Durham goalkeeper Megan Borthwick was quick off her line to clear.
A minute later Ella Rutherford whipped in a free-kick, Godfrey managed to get a flick on it but it skimmed just wide of the post.
Rutherford hit the bar in the 93rd minute with another free-kick attempt, however the Addicks left the north east empty handed.
Karen Hills’ side will be looking to bounce back on Sunday, September 26th when they host Blackburn Rovers at The Oakwood in Crayford. Click here to buy a ticket.
Durham: Borthwick, Hill, Briggs, Lambert, Wilson, Robson, Hepple, Galloway, Salicki, Bradley, Holmes
Subs (not used): Mackain, Crosthwaite
Yellow cards: Robson, Lambert, Hill
Goals: Hill 3, Hepple 54
Charlton: Cumings, Newborough (Jane 69), Olding (Sampson 81), Filbey, Sulola (King 54), Wynne (Heuchan 81), Skeels (Roche 69), Rutherford, Roe, Godfrey
Subs (not used): Hillyerd, Ross
Yellow cards: Godfrey 54, Wynne 78