Women’s football: Charlton climb to third in the Championship table after impressive win at Bristol City
A stunning strike from Lois Heuchan set Charlton on their way to an impressive 2-0 win at Bristol City on Sunday that moved the South Londoners up to third in the FA Women’s Championship table.
Heuchan crisply connected with a cross on the half-volley that flew into Fran Bentley’s top corner midway through the first half. Elise Hughes wrapped up victory 15 minutes from time with a close-range finish to end the Robins’ five-game unbeaten league streak.
Three points were just reward for a professional performance at the Robins High Performance Centre and ensured the Addicks, who were level on points with their opponents heading into the game, leapt to third in the table – although still nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
The first chance of the game fell to Bristol City when Chloe Bull failed to connect properly with a Ffion Morgan cross.
Charlton went ahead on 25 minutes.
Hughes whipped a cross into the box from the right and Heuchan expertly guided the ball into the top right-hand corner of Bentley’s net on the half-volley from about 12 yards out.
Despite a decent spell of possession before the break, the Robins were unable to test Eartha Cumings in the Charlton goal and the Addicks almost doubled their advantage on 52 minutes as only Bentley’s diving save prevented Beth Roe’s 30-yard effort from finding the net.
Mia Ross did score for the visitors from close range shortly after but had it ruled out for offside before Brooke Aspin’s header from Aimee Palmer’s dangerous free-kick landed on the roof of the net at the other end.
The Addicks managed to put the result beyond doubt on 73 minutes when Lois Roche’s corner was headed goalwards and although Bentley made the initial save, the ball ricocheted to Hughes to lash home from a couple of yards out.
It was almost 3-0 at the death when Bentley managed to push Jorja Fox’s looped effort on to the crossbar but the points were already secure and Charlton kept their slim title hopes alive.
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PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD