Blades’ Rayner denies Charlton opening day win at The Valley in Women’s Championship

Rebecca Rayner’s wonder goal snatched a point for Sheffield United as they drew 1-1 with Charlton Athletic to start the 2023-24 Women’s Championship season in dramatic fashion.

The Addicks withstood early pressure from the Blades before Kayleigh Green fired the home side in front at The Valley.

Sheffield United looked for a way back into the game and finally found it in the last minute of normal time as Rayner’s stunning strike saw the game end in a draw.

Isobel Goodwin, one of four players making their debut in the Blades’ starting line-up, provided much of her side’s attacking threat as she sent a shot just wide in the opening exchanges.

Charlton took the lead on 15 minutes as they capitalised on a defensive mistake from the Blades, debutant Green pouncing on to a poor backpass to fire into an open net.

Sheffield United almost copied the Addicks as Elisha N’Dow’s pass back to Sian Rogers was stolen by Goodwin, who saw the rebound of her shot bounce just past the post.

Rogers continued to be tested as Ashleigh Hodson fired just over before Goodwin’s cross-turned-shot saw the Addicks’ keeper backpedalling to watch the ball over the bar.

The Charlton keeper was involved throughout the second half, parrying away a strike from Goodwin before saving from point-blank range with seven minutes left on the clock.