Charlton Women boss: Being off bottom of table is a psychological boost

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Riteesh Mishra admits it is a psychological boost that his Charlton Athletic side are off the bottom of the FA Women’s Championship.

The Addicks drew 2-2 at home against Liverpool on Sunday to go above Coventry United on goal difference.

Charlton head to Sheffield United on Sunday knowing that even a point could be enough to take them above London Bees, who have played two matches more.

“We’ve been on the bottom of the table for a long time, so to get that psychological thing is a brilliant feeling,” said Mishra.

“But things can change very quickly.

“We try not to focus too much on the league table. The message we give to the players is that we’re a work in progress.

“We’ve brought some new players in and we believe in the group, that we’re better than where we sit in the table. We’ve just got to go and prove that.

“Without playing extremely well for two games we are unbeaten in two, I guess we need to look at it that way.

“Sheffield is a good opportunity for us to play well and improve. We are seeing the group improving and I feel we are going to have a strong end to the season.”

Charley Clifford’s stoppage-time penalty earned Charlton a share of the spoils against full-time Liverpool.

Shauna Vassell had put the Addicks in front early on at a snowy Oakwood.

Crystal Palace are at home to London Bees on Sunday.

The Eagles drew 2-2 at Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

Annabel Johnson put Palace into an 87th-minute lead only for Natasha Fenton to level.

Cherelle Khassal had cancelled out Jade Richards’ opener.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD