Charlton edge closer to safety in FA Women’s Championship after stalemate at London City Lionesses
BY MO SHER
Charlton Athletic and London City Lionesses played out a goalless draw in Dartford on Sunday, despite openings at both ends.
Charlton’s Jess King and Ella Rutherford both missed golden opportunities late on in the first half, after Lily Agg was thwarted by Eartha Cumings.
In the end, two organised sides, compact and well-structured in defence, had to settle for a point apiece, keeping Charlton unbeaten since Karen Hills’ arrival earlier this month.
The solidity of both outfits led to 30 minutes of stalemate before Agg provided the first moment of note.
A punt down the middle of the pitch was headed into her path by Kallie Balfour, Agg striking the ball cleanly but at a comfortable height for Cumings to palm to safety.
That prodded the visitors, with owner Thomas Sandgaard watching on, into life – and they squandered two brilliant chances just before the break.
Lionesses skipper Hayley Bennett played a misplaced pass just outside her penalty box, which King latched on to, but could only fire wide.
Three minutes later, Rutherford poked wide from six yards with Shae Yanez scrambling to get across.
Hannah Short’s long-range hit and a Flo Fyfe cross which landed on top of Cumings’ goal signalled the home side’s intent early into the second period but they couldn’t fashion another clear opening.
The Addicks, marshalled superbly in defence and attack by midfield duo Alice Griffiths and Charley Clifford, will no doubt be pleased to inch one step further away from the Championship trapdoor.
Hills said: “Yes, we’re disappointed we couldn’t pick up all three points because we’d probably done enough. If we maybe had a little more belief in the final third, we could have taken all three points.
“A point is a fantastic point for us at this moment in time. The girls didn’t disappoint, they were excellent. We thought there might be a little fatigue towards the second half, but they kept going and that shows the character among the group.
“I see the competitiveness in the them. Alice [Griffiths] in the middle is such a young, talented player with so much heart and desire and her workrate was unbelievable. She just gets on with it, but I wasn’t surprised with how we turned up because we saw that against Crystal Palace.
“I’m very surprised actually that we’re in the position we’re in, given what I’ve seen. They have been magnificent for me.
“We go into the rest of our games with a lot of confidence and belief to move forward.”
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PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD
