Charlton Athletic Women got their first competitive win of the season on Wednesday, November 20th after beating London City Lionesses 1-0 in the Continental Cup.
An 80th minute Charlie Estcourt goal was enough to see the Addicks claim their first three points of the season.
It was an open start to the game, with neither team taking dominant control in the early stages.
As the game grew, Charlton saw more possession and control as they searched for an opener.
London City were sloppy at the back more than once, with the first incident coming in the ninth minute. City goalkeeper Lucy Thomas was too slow to release the ball and Sara Eggesvik latched on to it, but the goalkeeper pulled off a fine save to make up for her mistake.
Just two minutes later a similar incident happened, this time with a London City defender. Siobhan Wilson pinched the ball and struck at goal, but her effort was just wide.
The Charlton midfield worked nicely together, with neat passing play proving too much for London City who couldn’t stifle the growing attacks.
In the 21st minute, Georgia Griffin received the ball in the box after a smart move between Jenna Legg and Charley Clifford, but her strike was straight at Thomas.
Claims for a Charlton penalty were waved away on the half-hour mark after Eggesvik seemed to have been brought down in the penalty area when she was through on goal.
London City won a free-kick at the edge of the box in the 34th minute, but the Addicks got rid of the danger without any fuss.
Charlton started the second half in a strong way, Griffin shot from distance and Thomas fumbled the ball out for a corner.
Shanell Salgado was called into the mix in the 61st minute, a powerful London City strike from the edge of the box looked destined for the top corner, but the Addicks shot-stopper was there to save.
Charlie Estcourt and Charlie Devlin were brought on in the second half, as the Addicks pushed for a winner.
In the 80th minute, Charlton’s persistence paid off when a neat move between Rachel Newborough, Devlin and Estcourt saw the latter slot home to give Charlton the win.
London City hit the bar in the 89th minute, but the Addicks saw the game out and claimed their first victory of the season.
Charlton: Salgado, Newborough, Clifford, Gotch, Casley, Griffiths (Maple, 85), Griffin, Eggesvik (Estcourt, 66), Legg (Devlin 74), Wilson, Mustaki
Subs not used: Startup, Dorey, Espinosa, Heuchan
Yellow cards: Charley Clifford (78)
Report: cafcwomen.co.uk
