Hennessy grabs late winner for in-form Charlton but win marred by Ella Rutherford’s serious injury
BY MATTHEW COX
Alex Hennessy’s injury-time winner secured an eighth straight win for Charlton Athletic as they beat the FA Women’s Championship’s bottom side Coventry United 1-0 at The Oakwood.
The hosts dominated the first half but couldn’t find a clinical edge against a stubborn United defence.
The second-half was marred by what looked to be a serious knee injury for Ella Rutherford but Hennessy’s cool finish in the seventh minute of stoppage time snatched a vital three points.
Picture : Keith Gillard
The first big chance came after half-an-hour when the hosts came close through Angela Addison, who was slipped through down the left and forced Khiara Keating into a save.
More good play soon after saw Melissa Johnson with the goal at her mercy but her shot rolled agonisingly wide.
Charlton came close again before the break with Emily Simpkins unable to get enough on Addison’s cross to convert.
Coventry came out firing after the break and had their first good opportunity as Ellen Jones on the half-volley forced a super stop from Sian Rogers.
Picture : Keith Gillard
A long stoppage on the hour mark halted the game’s momentum, when Rutherford fell injured while shooting.
It should have been 1-0 to Karen Hills’ side after Freda Ayisi rounded the goalkeeper but her shot was blocked on the line, as was Addison’s follow-up on the rebound.
Morgan Cross missed a big late chance for the visitors, poking a cross just wide.
But the goal finally came for Charlton, with Hennessy providing a composed finish into the bottom corner with three minutes to play.
Addicks boss Hills said: “The initial reaction was obviously thank god for that last-minute winner.
“It was a really even game. Coventry were excellent. The two goalkeepers were unbelievable. I definitely think we could have probably done a little better in the first half. We had a couple of really good, clearcut opportunities but it wasn’t meant to be.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“We just spoke at half time about staying calm, believing in our ability and our quality and we knew that we had players that could come on and change the game if needed.
“You see the three subs that we brought on made a massive impact and obviously then Alex scoring in injury time. It just goes to show the resilience of the team especially after the injury to Ella. That could have got in their heads a little bit but they were resilient after that. So that one was for Ella.”
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PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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