Elise Hughes seals Charlton Athletic win over Lewes in FA Women’s Championship

A confident Charlton side underlined their FA Women’s Championship promotion aspirations with a 1-0 over Lewes in east London on Sunday.

The Addicks’ top scorer Elise Hughes tapped in her sixth of the season 10 minutes before the break to settle the contest.

Charlton were well on top for the majority of the first half with Lois Heuchan and Lois Roche forming an unplayable double-act at times.

Roche created the game’s first chance of note with her quick feet, finding Elisha Sulola in a pocket of space – but she could only slice wide.

Megan Wynne and Sulola both narrowly missed out on the end of searching deliveries from Jorja Fox and Hughes.

When Mia Ross smacked one inches over from 20 yards, it only added to the feeling of inevitability of a Charlton goal.

Hughes broke the deadlock minutes later. Rhian Cleverly’s pass was intercepted by Heuchan, who drove to the byline before cutting across to give Hughes the easiest of tap ins and leave Tatiana Saunders in the Lewes goal stranded.

Ini Umotong poked just wide when she might have done better as Lewes rallied before drawing a superb low save out of Eartha Cumings just before the break.

The Rooks were more competitive after the interval – Georgia Timms providing a spark – and they were unlucky not to draw level when Freda Ayisi saw a brilliant long-range effort cannon off the crossbar.

Izzy Dalton’s well-struck free-kick was comfortably held by Cumings and Saunders bravely thwarted Wynne at the other end as both teams showed ambition in the final third.

Charlton held on to build on an unbeaten run which began in mid-November.

Addicks captain Lauren Bruton said: “The main thing today was the three points and we really desperately needed the win, especially with Lewes being a point behind us with a game in hand,”

“We looked comfortable for most parts of the game. Lewes did come out in the second half but we dealt with it well and deserved the points, so it was a good day.

“We are doing really well defensively and have picked up lots of clean sheets, but it’s putting the ball in the back of the net where, at the moment, it’s maybe just the one a game. That’s something we are looking to improve. But today, we’ll take it.

“The pressing was relentless and the tactics from us were spot on, which led to the goal. When you’ve got someone in your team like Wynney [Megan Wynne], it’s her game to a tee. Lewes tried to play out whenever they could, so the high press was perfect for us.”

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PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD