Women’s football: Charlton Athletic squander chance to go top of FA Women’s Championship

BY MITUJ SAMJI

First-half goals from Paula Howells and Amelia Hazard consigned Charlton Athletic to a 2-0 loss at Lewes.

A win could have taken the visitors top in the FA Women’s Championship but instead they suffered their second league defeat of the campaign.

Charlton enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages but Emma Follis’ effort from the edge of the box was superbly saved by Lewes goalkeeper Tatiana Saunders.

The home side struggled to find some rhythm and failed to register an effort on target in the opening 20 minutes.

Four minutes later, the home side capitalised on a poor defensive pass and an opportunity fell to Ini-Abasi Umotong, whose close-range effort forced Addicks keeper Eartha Cumings into a smart save.

Craig Gills’ side piled more pressure towards the end of the first half and took the lead in the 38th minute when Vyan Sampson’s short backpass gifted the ball to Howells, who sent a sublime curling effort into the top corner.

The Rooks doubled their lead in quick succession after another swift counterattack saw Freda Ayisi loop a dangerous cross to Hazard in the penalty area, who tapped her effort past Cumings.

Karen Hills’ side made the brighter start in the second half, with Megan Wynne gliding into the box but the Lewes defence comfortably cleared the danger.

The best chance for the visitors came just before the hour mark as Follis squared the ball to Kiera Skeels, who fired an effort into the side netting.

Lewes’ Heidi Logan tried her luck from distance as her thumping effort flew over the bar before Kallie Balfour whipped a fine cross to Umotong, her final touch going over the crossbar as Lewes secured their third victory of the campaign.

Charlton boss Hills said: “I’m disappointed to lose the game, but credit to Lewes, who took their chances. Otherwise, it was probably quite an even game.

“We changed a couple of personnel for the game, knowing the possibility that we need to be better in the final third when it comes to creating chances. If Emma Follis’ early effort went in, the game could have looked quite different. But Lewes stood strong and defended really well as we couldn’t find a way to unlock their defence.

“I did see a way back at half-time. We regrouped and spoke to the players that we had to find the belief within ourselves. We needed to find the characters within the team and it was going to show me what capabilities we had if the game was not going our way.

“We changed shape and changed a couple of personnel. We had a few more chances in the second half, but it was just wasn’t our day.

“Football is about key moments and they were two key moments in the game that didn’t go quite our way.”

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