Charlton AthleticSport

Women’s football: Rutherford sparkles as Charlton win vital basement battle at Coventry United

Sports Reporter

BY HARRY WRIGHT

Ella Rutherford set up both goals as Charlton Athletic beat Coventry United 2-0 in a thrilling relegation six-pointer in the FA Women’s Championship.

Rutherford, pictured, teed up Jess King and Lois Heuchan for decisive strikes as the Addicks pulled three points clear of their opponents at the foot of the table.

The bottom side’s misery was compounded when Anna Wilcox was sent off for foul and abusive language in the latter stages at Butts Park Arena.

The Addicks dominated the first half with their best chance coming through Ellie Dorey, but her shot was well blocked by Wilcox after a flowing move involving Rutherford, King anped Emma Plewa.

It took just five minutes for the visitors to make their dominance tell after the break.

Rutherford slipped in King, who cooly slotted past Coventry United captain Sue Wood in goal.

The hosts almost levelled three minutes later when Helen Dermedy crashed a free-kick off the crossbar and Destiny Toussaint couldn’t quite scramble home the rebound.

Charlton sealed the victory on 67 minutes when Rutherford rolled a low free-kick into the path of Heuchan, the left-back wrapping her foot around the ball and finding the bottom-right corner.

Coventry’s disappointing afternoon was complete seven minutes before full time as Wilcox was given her marching orders for abusing referee Georgia Ball following the award of a free-kick.

Charlton manager Riteesh Mishra said: “Ella (Rutherford) has got great quality and a great personality and character. She’s has a real tough time over the last six months and we’re trying really hard to help her, I don’t think she’s there yet, she’s got a long way to go but today you saw some of her quality and she’s a big player for us.
“When you look at things it’s a huge win, we knew that coming into the game and for us it wasn’t just about the points but for us to prove the football we’re playing is being represented.

“For us of course it was about the points but also to try and set a bit of a marker. We want to be kicking on and we feel that we’re better than where we are in the table.”

To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD

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