Charlton’s women opened their campaign with all three points against Crystal Palace at The Valley on Sunday.

Emma Bissell’s second-half strike was enough for the Addicks to kick off the campaign in style and claim bragging rights over their local rivals in the south London derby.

A tight first half saw the visitors edge possession and shots on goal with Sophie Whitehouse being called into action to keep out Abbie Larkin’s deflected effort, before the goalkeeper produced another good save to keep out Weerden from distance.

The best chance of the half, however, fell to the hosts when the ball fell kindly for Jodie Hutton in the box, but she could only fire over.

Although the first-half had been a close encounter, it was a different story after the break, with Charlton taking control.

A double switch ahead of the second half saw Keira Flannery and Mary McAteer involved and the latter made an instant impact, testing Palace keeper Jessica Yanez at her near post moments after the restart, before hitting the crossbar via a header in the 53rd minute.

The breakthrough finally came two minutes later when Bissell broke the deadlock. The Addicks’ press caught out the Eagles as they looked to play out from the back, wrestling back possession and leaving Yanez stranded to allow Bissell to slide it home.

On 67 minutes, Charlton came close again when Hutton’s low, angled free-kick skimmed narrowly past the post while Lucy Fitzgerald was denied a glorious opportunity by Yanez who kept her out while through one-on-one, while Gillian Kenney saw her follow up well blocked.

In truth, the Addicks remained comfortable for the remainder of the half with the only blemish being the dismissal of Katie Bradley in the 89th minute for a second bookable offence after being adjudged to have taken too long over a free-kick.

It was a well-deserved victory for Karen Hills’ side who will now prepare for the long trip to Durham next Sunday.

Charlton: Whitehouse, Mason (Pearse 90+7), Newsham, Ross (Flannery 46), N’Dow, Bradley, Bissell (Fitzgerald 62), Hutton, Muya (McAteer 46), Skeels, Thestrup (Kenney 62)

Subs (not used): Pedersen, Barratt, Lobato, Chime.

Sent off: Bradley 89 (second bookable offence)

Goal: Bissell 55

Crystal Palace: Yanez, Napierr, Everrett, Howat, Weerden Sharpe 87, Green, Nolan, Watson, (Arthur 70), Blanchard (Hughes 87), Vanhaevermaet, Larkin (Brown 58).

Subs (not used): Annets, Sibley, Riley, Hopcroft.

Referee: Megan Wilson

Attendance: 770