Charley Clifford sets new appearance record for Charlton Athletic Women – but West Ham inflict heavy cup defeat

Charlton were on the end of a 4-0 loss to West Ham on Wednesday night in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres Cup – the only bright spot being Charley Clifford setting a new appearance record.

The midfielder played her 273rd match for the Addicks.

Emily van Egmond continued her scoring run while Leanna Kiernan got herself up and running for the season with a double, with Martha Thomas adding the fourth for the visitors.

Charlton’s best chance to score came through Beth Lumsden at the far post but she was unable to direct her volley on target.

The evening went from bad to worse for the Addicks when Rachel Newborough was shown a red card for a cynical foul on substitute Adriana Leon, who looked to be through on goal.

Victory kept West Ham top of Group D while Charlton are still yet to score in the competition this season.

Clifford said: “Whether it was a 4-0 game tonight is another question but to come up against a team that has multiple internationals in it and fight like we did makes me very proud of the girls.

“To take over the record from Kim [Dixson] makes me really proud and very honoured and I can’t wait to carry on now. Kim is Miss Charlton as everyone knows, so it just means so much to me.

“I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet because it feels just like another game but I am a little bit emotional. Maybe tonight when I look back it might start to sink in.”

To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com