Arsenal Women 5-1 Charlton Athletic Women

Charlton were well beaten on Wednesday night at Meadow Park against a strong Arsenal side in their penultimate preseason friendly.

The hosts started well enjoying most of the early possession but Charlton were very well organised defensively and didn’t really allow Arsenal the opportunity to create any clear cut chances.

Charlton took the lead in the 24th minute. A throw in from Ash Neville was aimed towards Jodie Hutton and, as the ball bounced off a couple of players, hesitation between Leah Williamson and Steph Catley allowed Emily Van Egmond to run on to the ball and she crossed to Lucy Fitzgerald who slotted home from around the penalty spot.

Arsenal were back level in the 35th minute. A good period of passing down the right saw the ball eventually with Lisa Baum who’s reverse pass allowed Georgia Stanway to race on to it and she just got the ahead of Keira Skeels and an onrushing Sophie Whitehouse to find the net from a tight angle.

Arsenal were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute. An Arsenal corner was sent in and Paula Partido has a coming together with Georgia Stanway and, whilst there is contact, I think it’s soft as I’m not convinced the contact was strong enough. One could say it’s a decision the bigger clubs get 🤨 Mariona Caldentey sent Sophie Whitehouse the wrong way to give Arsenal the lead.

HALF TIME ARSENAL 2-1 CHARLTON

The second half started in a similar manner to the first with Arsenal dominating possession. 

Arsenal increased their lead in the 56th minute with an absolute wonder goal from Kyra Cooney-Cross. A cross from Baum was well defended in the box by Ash Neville but it fell perfectly to Cooney-Cross who, from about 25 yards out, hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

As the game worked towards its climax, Arsenal added two more goals as Charlton began to tire having put in a strong shift of defending. Olivia Smith got Arsenals fourth in the 89th minute. A quick free kick for Arsenal was played to Caitlin Foord who’s cross found Selina Cerci who’s shot was blocked but the rebound fell to Smith who absolutely leathered it past Whitehouse who was initially unsighted with a host of bodies in front of her.

Arsenals fifth came in the second minute of stoppage time. Frida Maanum found herself in space just outside the Charlton box and, after turning, curled it into the corner to make it 5-1. Whitehouse got a hand to it but just couldn’t prevent it from going in.

Arsenal ended up worthy winners and their class told in the end but there were many positives for Charlton to take from the game and they will have learned a lot playing against an opposition of the highest quality. Sophie Whitehouse made some great saves and commanded her box well and our two full backs, Ash Neville & Ellie Mason both had excellent games and it was more good minutes in the tank for the squad.

FULL TIME ARSENAL 5-1 CHARLTON

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chatham Town Women 0-3 Charlton Athletic Women

Charlton began their preseason campaign with a 3-0 win against Chatham on a sunny afternoon at The Bauvill. It was the hosts who enjoyed the better of the opening minutes but Charlton grew into the game and ended up running out comfortable winners. In the 32nd minute, Ellie Mason scored our first goal, collecting the ball just inside the area and then finishing well after a neat first touch and turn. Ellie Mason & Jodie Hutton both hit the woodwork in the first half too. Charlton had the chance to increase their lead in the 37th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Gloria Siber was brought down but Gillian Kenney saw her spot kick well saved by Chatham keeper Baravik. Two goals in 5 minutes at the start of the second half saw Charlton increase their lead. First, on 52 minutes, Kiera Skeels headed home a corner at the back post. Then, on 57 minutes, some good high pressing from Charlton saw Gillian Kenney win the ball on the edge of the area and she coolly slotted home in t...
Read more

League Cup Opponents Announced

Charlton found out today their opponents in this years League Cup, which is now known as The Subway Players Cup, having been previously known as The Subway League Cup. The format has been given a revamp for the 2026/27 season with it now adopting a Swiss style league format with all participating teams guaranteed at least 6 matches with fixtures done by region. There are 3 points awarded for a win during the league phase. If the scores are level after 90minutes, a penalty shootout will decide the winner, who would be awarded 2 points and the loser would get 1 point. At the conclusion of the “league” games in the cup, it then becomes a knockout competition until only 2 teams remain, who will then face each other in the final for the trophy. The WSL teams who are involved in the Women’s Champions League will not take part in the Players Cup. They are Manchester City, Arsenal & Chelsea. Charlton’s opponents are as follows : SEPTEMBER 23rd Brighton & Hove Albion (A) 30th Crystal Pa...
Read more

Contracts, Contracts Everywhere!

After a relatively quiet summer things have suddenly sprung into life in SE7 as Charlton Women have announced new contracts / contract extensions for 7 players. Carla Humphrey, Ellie Mason, Anna Pedersen, Gloria Siber, Gillian Kenney & Lucy Fitzgerald have all signed deals keeping them at the club until 2027.
Read more