Charlton Athletic close gap on Women’s Championship leaders after derby victory at Crystal Palace

Emily Simpkins and Melissa Johnson fired Charlton Athletic to a 2-1 derby day win away at Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. 

Simpkins opened the scoring from the spot with just 17 minutes on the clock after Johnson was felled in the box, before the striker grabbed a second on the stroke of half-time. 

Fliss Gibbons grabbed one back for Palace – a stunning free-kick – to create a grandstand finish in South London but the Addicks held on to move within four points Women’s Championship leaders London City.

Palace controlled possession in the early stages and had the first chance when Molly Sharpe’s cut back from a tight angle was intercepted by Sian Rodgers. 

Charlton held off the early Palace pressure and sprung on the counter-attack as Johnson broke behind the Eagles defence and was brought down by Fran Kitching inside the area for a penalty. Simpkins dispatched with a dink down the middle.

The visitors doubled their advantage on 44 minutes. Angela Addison broke down the left flank and squared the ball to Johnson, who raced into the area and curled past Kitching.

Charlton continued to push forward early in the second period and Ella Rutherford’s effort from the edge of area skimmed the crossbar. 

Palace started to pile on the pressure and pulled a goal back after Gibbons whipped a 20-yard free-kick past Rodgers and into the bottom corner.

The hosts, playing in front of 1,969 spectators, pushed hard for an equaliser with Kirsty Barton and Elsie Hughes both coming close but the visitors held on for all three points. 

Charlton manager Karen Hills said: “We came here to try and win the game and we were very good in the first half. We could have put the game to bed after hitting the bar just before half time.

“We deserved it and it’s always nice to win a local derby.

“That’s her [Simpkin’s] fifth goal now, so she’s doing really well with her penalties and she practices them in training. She is confident in her ability and we back her as a team. We always know that she’s going to step up and be confident in herself.”

“We encourage our players to be confident and brave on the ball. Today we were more composed, we retained the ball, but what was really good about our play today was how quickly we broke and we countered them.

“That second goal was unbelievable from us. We defended the corner really well, got first contact, a fantastic ball from Angela Addison to slip Mel Johnson through and then for her to put the ball in the net – fantastic goal.”

Palace goalscorer Fliss Gibbons said: “We were a bit nervous to start with and it took us a little while to get into the game.

“Obviously they took their chances and went 2-0 ahead. But we showed good character. It’s a derby, it was a big occasion, but it took us too long to get into the game.

“The nerves settled down at half time and we came into the second half and started playing with a bit more freedom to be the team that we want to be. Overall we are disappointed with the result, but performance-wise we were quite happy.”

Asked about her free-kick, Gibbons replied: “There was a bit of discussion about who should take it. Kirsty [Barton] said it should be a left-footer – because of the distance. But we decided to just go for it. Anna Filbey said: ‘Just hit the target.” So I just thought if I can get it over the wall I’ve got a chance and it flew in – but unfortunately it didn’t mean anything today.”

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PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD