Women’s football round-up: Charlton suffer promotion blow as Palace climb to second in Championship standings

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic suffered a blow in their bid to secure promotion to the Women’s Super League after a 1-0 defeat at home to mid-table Reading on Sunday afternoon.

The Addicks were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute when Jessie Stapleton brought down Kayleigh Barton inside the area.

Barton stepped up to take the spot kick, but Emily Orman saved her effort to deny Charlton the early advantage.

Reading scored what turned out to be the matchwinner in the 42nd minute when Charlie Wellings lobbed Sian Rogers.

Karen Hills’ Addicks are four points behind leaders Sunderland but have a game in hand over the Black Cats.

Crystal Palace moved up to second after a crucial 1-0 win over Sheffield United at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles – now only a point away from Sunderland and having played a fixture fewer – secured their third Championship win in a row through Molly-Mae Sharpe’s 73rd-minute strike.

It was the first time Palace’s women’s side had won at Selhurst Park.

Laura Kaminski’s Palace are top scorers in the division, finding the net 44 times in 16 games.

The second-highest scorers in the division are Southampton, who have netted 28 times.

AFC Wimbledon’s clash at London Seaward was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Millwall suffered a 3-2 defeat at London and South East Regional Women’s League leaders Dartford on Sunday afternoon.

They went behind after 25 minutes at Princes Park.

The Lionesses equalised six minutes after the half-time break when Emel Huseyin tucked Sophie Chapman’s cross past the Dartford keeper.

Shannan Drewe put Millwall ahead in the 66th minute but two goals in the last 10 minutes gave the home side all three points.

Chelsea progressed to the semi-final of the Women’s FA Cup after a 1-0 win at Everton on Sunday.

Catarina Macario, who scored on her debut last time out against Leicester after 20 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, doubled her Chelsea account in the 66th minute when she slotted Aggie Beever-Jones’ pass beyond Courtney Brosnan.

“The difference for us was Cat Macario and that little bit of class,” Chelsea boss Emma Hayes told BBC Sport. “It was the one bit of quality we needed to win the game.

“Everton played well and probably deserved more from the game, but this is what you have to do.

“You have to grind results out. We did just about enough.”