Charlton’s women suffered a 5-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham United in their first group stage outing in the Subway Women’s League Cup at The Valley on Wednesday evening.

The visitors got the first sight of goal when Seraina Piubel fired an effort just wide of the post, before they took the lead with 17 minutes on the clock through Ffion Morgan who struck a low volley into the bottom left-hand corner.

Charlton fired a couple of warnings towards their WSL opponents at the other end, with Charlotte Newsham almost finishing off a fine move which began with Gillian Kenney’s smart backheel to work the ball into the box, but Hammers stopper Megan Walsh denied the Addicks’ number three one-on-one.

Newsham threatened again on the half-hour mark when she got down the right, before cutting in and being denied by Walsh once again and the sides retreated to the dressing rooms at the break with the advantage to the visitors.

West Ham would double their lead in stunning fashion shortly after the restart when sub Manuela Pavi found the top-right corner with an unstoppable strike from distance, but Charlton gave themselves hope in the 55th minute when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Kenney in the box.

Katie Bradley stepped up and saw her initial spot-kick saved, but was quick to react and ensure she would putt away the rebound to half the deficit.

Ten minutes later, however, the Hammers restored their two-goal lead - once again in spectacular fashion with an eye-catching strike from long range.

This time, it was Leila Wandeler with the showstopper from all of 30 yards which flew into the top right-hand corner.

With seven minutes remaining, the Hammers made it four as Sarah Brasero broke free to slot home in off the post, before Shekiera Martinez smashed in a fifth from 10 yards in the 89th minute, rounding off a clinical evening for the top-fight visitors.

Karen Hills’ Addicks will now turn their attention back to the league as they make the trip to Newcastle on Sunday.

Charlton: Pedersen, Newsham (Hutton 46), Lobato, Skeels, Pearse, Fitzgerald (Barratt 73), Bradley (Finlayson 73), Ross, McAteer, Siber (Muya 46), Kenney.

Subs (not used): Whitehouse, N’Dow, Bissell, Thestrup.

Goal: Bradley 5

West Ham United: Walsh, Endo, Tysiak, Bellloumou, Csiki (Pavi 46), Brasero (Siren 83), Morgan (Brown 61), Wandeler, Houssein, Cemal (Hanshaw 61), Piubel (Martinez 61).

Subs (not used): O’Hanlon, Nystorm, Denton, Asseyi.

Goals: Morgan 17, Pavi 48, Wandeler 65, Brasero 83, Martinez 89

Referee: Levi Gray

Att: 352