Charlton Athletic went back to the top of WSL2 by a point after a battling 2-2 draw against a game Southampton side. The match started slowly but grew and grew, climaxing with a dramatic period of extra time that saw two goals and the bar rocked.
Despite early pressure from Charlton, Southampton had the best first chance. If anyone but Sophie Whitehouse were in the net, it would have been a goal, but this time our number one came out on top.
As Southampton broke down the left and whipped a cross into the box that found Southampton’s Megan Collett and the far post. She controlled the bouncing ball and volleyed at goal, but Whitehouse charged out and made herself big, making a huge save for the Addicks.
Soon after, the Addicks had their first chance of the game. Gloria Siber got the ball and played a lovely one-two with Amalie Thestrup. She continued her run into the box, bearing down on goal, but shot just wide of the post.
Southampton eventually took the lead in the 26th minute as a ball down the right found Michaela McAlonie, who took one chance to look up before curling a great cross to the back post. That found Jess Simpson steaming for a first-time finish and put the Saints ahead.
The rest of the half did not see many more chances, but Jodie Hutton, a first-half sub for Siber, did hit the side netting and post from a header, though she looked to be just off the pitch.
The second half started quite bitty with lots of fouls breaking up the game. Southampton again got the first chance of the second period, when Saints’ Ellie Brazil helped on a corner that hit the outside of the post.
Karen Hills brought on Gillian Kenney at halftime, with Mary McAteer and Katie Lockwood entering play in the 61st minute. They all brought new energy to the team that saw them grow into the game and take some control.
It was one such substitute who got the Addicks back into the game. A corner bounced around before falling to Ellie Mason. Her pass-come-shot found Kenney, who calmly side-footed the ball into the net and restored parity.
From then on, the Addicks went from strength to strength with dynamic movement, always dangerous from corners, and fighting to find that winner. Both Lucia Lobato and Mason had chances from corners, but their headers went wide.
Then, the chance came for Charlton in the last minute of normal time as Charlotte Newsham was fouled in the box after nicking in before the defender to get the ball. Emma Bissell came on and, with her first touch, confidently put the ball to the keeper’s right to joyous celebrations from the Addicks’ players and travelling fans.
Sadly, the lead lasted only a couple of minutes after a floated cross into the box was saved by Whitehouse, who palmed it onto the bar. The ball fell right at the feet of Atlanta Primus on the line, and she made the game level at 2-2.
In the last action of the game, Charlton hit the bar from a corner, and as the ball came out, the ref blew her whistle. It was a chaotic, dramatic, and heartbreaking end to the game, but it is a good point at the end of the day.
The Addicks go back to the top of the league by a point and look ahead to the huge season closer against second-placed Birmingham City at The Valley on May 2nd.
Charlton Athletic: Whitehouse, Mason, Newsham, N’Dow, Bradley (McAteer 61), Fitzgerald (Lockwood 61), Muya (Bissell 90), Siber (Hutton 33), Thestrup (Kenney 45), Lobato, Flannery
Subs (not used): Pedersen, Ross, Pearse, Skeels,
Goal: Kenney 70, Bissell 90+1
Booked: N/A
Southampton: Stenson, Collett, Goddard, Mott, Bourne (McGowan 77), Simpson (Brown 90+3), Palmer, Bashford, Primus, Brazil (Nicoll 84), McAlonie
Subs (not used): Ferguson, Edwards, Sena, Pettit, Robers, Rae
Goal: Simpson 26, Primus 90+4
Booked: Bashford 36, Goddard 57, Primus 80
Referee: Alice Parker