Charlton Ladies let 3-0 lead slip as they suffer FA Cup penalty shootout heartbreak
Charlton Ladies let a 3-0 lead slip before crashing out on penalties to Huddersfield Town Ladies in the FA Cup.
The fourth round tie looked to heading only one way, as Riteesh Mishrah’s side went 3-0 up midway through the second half. But they were pegged back and then had the frustration of bowing out in the shoot-out – the luckless Liz Ejupi having her effort saved.
Kit Graham netted a brace and Charlotte Gurr was also on the scoresheet with a header to put the Addicks in the driving seat, but a tap-in from Brittany Sandersan following a 74th minute corner sparked a great Terriers fightback.
One minute later the visitors made it 3-2, when Laura Elford chipped the ball over Katie Startup to make it a nervy final 15 minutes at The Oakwood.
But Charlton couldn’t hold on and Huddersfield made it 3-3 thanks to Kate Mallin, who poked the ball in after a goalmouth scramble.
The visitors almost grabbed a late winner in the 87th minute, when Elford headed just off target. Lily Agg, Charley Clifford and Harley Bennett all went close to grabbing a winner for the Addicks in extra-time. But they could not get the better of Terriers stopper Laura Carter, whose spot-kick save settled the outcome.
Charlton’s next game is away to Aston Villa on Wednesday (February 20). The next home game for the Addicks is at The Valley against Millwall Lionesses on Wednesday, March 13 (7.45pm).
IMAGES BY KEITH GILLARD
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