REPORT | Blackburn Rovers 1 Charlton 1

Freda Ayisi

A second half equaliser rescued Charlton a point at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium as the Addicks continued their now four game unbeaten run in the Women’s Championship. 

The game started as it intended to go on with Angela Addison smashing the upright with a sweet strike from the edge of the area just four minutes in. 

Beth Roe was next to challenge the woodwork with a wonderful effort on 29 minutes before Melissa Johnson was also denied by the crossbar with her effort following a corner ten minutes later. 

Charlton rued their missed chances as Blackburn broke the deadlock against the run of play with Niamh Murphy charging through the middle and laying off for midfielder Chloe Williams to slot into the back of the net. 

Rain poured into the second half, but the Addicks didn’t let this dampen their spirits as they pushed for an equaliser - going close on 58 minutes with Brooks in the Rovers goal denying point-blank headers from both Kiera Skeels and Freda Ayisi. 

Karen Hills’ side finally managed their deserved equaliser on 67 minutes with Ayisi avenging her earlier chance by picking up a ball in the box from Johnson and making no mistake with a precise finish. 

With confidence from breaking level Charlton looked to push on and Johnson nearly won the game on 75 minutes by creating space with a good run but firing her effort over the crossbar. 

A late effort by substitute Lois Roche was saved by the Blackburn goalkeeper and after four additional minutes the whistle blew, and the points were shared in Lancashire. 

The Addicks now move within nine points off top spot with a game in hand as they go into Sunday’s contest at home to Sunderland. 

Blackburn Rovers: Brooks, Dixon, Coan, Fenton ©, Richards, Crompton (Thomas 75), Jordan, Kur (Hornby 66), Hutchings, Williams, Murphy 

Subs (not used): Salgado, McDonald, Nokuthula, Chandarana, Worthington, Doyle 

Goal: Williams (42) 

Charlton: Rogers, N’Dow, Johnson, Simpkins © (Logan 90), Ayisi, Bruton (Roche 75), Addison (Hennessy 80), Skeels, Bashford, O’Rourke, Roe 

Subs (not used): Gray, Bell, Henson 

Goal: Ayisi (67) 

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