CHARLTON 2, WATFORD 3, REPORT
The Addicks suffered a tight loss as Watford won 3-2 in SE7.
Hills’ team tried to overcome a three-goal disadvantage at the break, but despite a determined second half effort, Carla Humphrey and Angela Addison’s goals in the second half weren’t enough.
Within the first two minutes, the visitors took the lead. Carly Johns put a ton of pressure on the goalkeeper until she managed to catch Sian Rogers off guard in the back. Rogers’ attempted pass was intercepted by Johns, who then passed the ball to McLean, who scored a goal for Watford by shooting into an empty net.
In the 25th minute, Charlton had their first significant opportunity to tie the score. Johnson controlled the ball effectively but was unable to get her shot off after Mia Ross received the ball on the edge of the box and swung a cross towards the back post for Johnson.
In the 34th minute, Hills’ team had another chance to tie the score when Johnson’s shot was parried into Karin Muya’s path. The 28-year-old attempted to score from six yards out, but Corinne Henson made a crucial last-ditch block to keep the advantage for the visiting team.
In the 37th minute, Sian Rogers was brought into the game as a result of an outstanding Watford move. Georgiou received the ball at the edge of the box and thundered a shot across goal. Rogers made the save but had to leave the game due to an injury, and Jess Gray took her place in goal.
The visitors extended their lead in extra time shortly after the change. Carly Johns created issues in the final third once more as she easily converted from close range after latching onto a loose ball in the box.
On the verge of the half, Watford increased their advantage to three. When McLean was given a clear shot at goal, she gently slid her shot through Gray in the Charlton goalkeepers’ legs.
After the break, the Addicks came out with a lot of energy and almost scored right away. Freya Godfrey, a halftime replacement, received the ball in the other team’s 18-yard box, but Clark in the Watford goal stopped her close-range shot.
Just before the hour mark, Charlton was rewarded when Carla Humphrey’s spectacular free kick flew into the top corner of the goal to give the Addicks a point.
Two minutes later, Humphrey was just inches away from netting her brace. From the right flank, a beautiful pass was lofted into the box. The midfielder charged into the box but was unable to make a clean connection with the ball, and her header strayed wide.
Charlton scored a second goal through Addison with 11 minutes left in the game. After some skillful passing, Ayisi eventually pushed the ball wide to Addison in the Watford penalty area. The winger’s initial shot was stopped, but she then volleyed the rebound into the top corner to reduce the score.
The Addicks put in a valiant effort in the second half, but they were unable to salvage a point from the game and fell just short of defeating newly promoted Watford.
Rogers (Gray 41), McKenna, Ross (O’Rourke 71), Johnson, Addison, Humphrey, Longhurst (Ayisi 45), Muya (Godfrey 45), Skeels, Roche (N’Dow 45), and Roe are the players for Charlton.
Attempts made: Humphrey 57, Addison 79
Watford: Harbert, Haines, Reid, Henson, Clark, Leon (Head 82), Lafayette (Fife 63), McLean, Johns (Baptiste 76), Bennett, Georgiou (Palisch 63), and
McLean 2, 45+7, Johns 45+3 are the goals.
Participation: 721
