REPORT | Charlton 1 Sheffield United 0

Charlton v Sheffield United

Charlton move up to third in the table after a Lauren Bruton close-range strike secured The Addicks' fourth consecutive win. 

The home side were awarded a free-kick five minutes into proceedings the ball was sent in towards the back post by Emily Simpkins but Sheffield United managed to clear their lines comfortably.

The Addick’s captain again found some space and tried to divert a cross goalward, but the ball was cleared well by Sheffield United.

Fifteen minutes later forward Melissa Johnson did well to get in behind the United back line but could capitalise on her opportunity. A chance then fell to Mia Ross in the penalty area, but her effort blazed over the bar.

The game continued to be an evenly matched affair as the away side stood very firm, and the Addicks struggled to break down their rigid shape.

Soon after a free kick was given to Sheffield United just outside the area. It was swung in by Maddy Cusak, and the Blades won a corner. The ball was fired into the Addicks’ penalty area but was missed by everyone. 

There was a Charlton flick on at the near post and the Blades earned themselves another set piece. Rogers went up to gather the ball and was fouled. The ball ended up in the back of the net, but the whistle was blown, and it remained 0-0.

As the half progressed Charlton continued to press high A lovely ball was played into the Charlton penalty area by United’s Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, but Mia Ross intercepted brilliantly to deny the away side.

Addicks defender Elisha N’Dow calmly managed to clear the ball away from a sleek-looking attack launched by United’s Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.

As half-time loomed, the ball was whipped in beautifully by Simpkins from a free kick. Elisha N’Dow was the target, but a United player was caught in the area, and nothing came of the opportunity. 

N’Dow then got herself into a collision with a United midfielder and was then booked for her troubles.

Angela Addison took a hefty blow as she charged down the wing, and United’s Sweetman-Kirk was booked. 

After the interval Charlton started brightly, there were some lovely exchanges between Emily Simpkins, Beth Roe, and Emma Follis, around the penalty area but the ball was eventually gathered safely by Bethan Davies.

The Blades then moved well up the field, and Addicks’ goalkeeper Sian Rogers produced an excellent piece of goalkeeping and managed to gather the ball away from the feet of United’s Rhema Lord-Mears.

Soon after Sheffield United won a free kick in a dangerous area, as the ball was swung in towards Charlotte Newsham, but it was steered away from the goal well by the Charlton defence.

A change came for the Addicks 58 minutes into the second half, as Freda Ayisi came on to replace Emma Follis.

Ayisi’s introduction was lively, as she did well to travel forward with the ball after dancing through a crowd of players, but her pass failed to reach anyone in the United box.

Charlton then made their second change of the game, as Lauren Bruton came on to replace Elisha N’Dow. There were a few appeals for fouls on Charlton players as the game fired up. 

Chene Muir did well for United, sending a lovely ball into the box, but it was met by Melissa Johnson who sent it out for a corner. 

The visitors then came forward again and saw their effort sensationally tipped over by Sian Rogers. The second corner came in, and was missed by the Addicks goalkeeper, but the Charlton defenders were there to prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.

The away side made their first change of the game, as Chene Muir made way for Georgia Walters.

Angela Addison drifted forward excellently with the ball but saw her attempt blocked by Sheffield United. 

With 80 minutes gone, the Addicks had earned themselves a corner. The ball was swung into the area by Beth Roe, and United failed to deal with it as it bounced around in the box. In a goal-mouth scramble, the ball was eventually smashed home by Lauren Bruton scoring her first goal of the season.

Sheffield United’s Sweetman-Kirk charged into the penalty area as the clock neared 90 minutes, but her effort was met by the palms of Rogers. 

Six minutes of added time was indicated by the fourth official, and the Addicks managed to see out a close encounter with the South Yorkshire side and come away with three points and a clean sheet. 

The Addicks will be back at The Oakwood this Sunday to take on MK Dons in the FA Cup, click here to secure your tickets

Charlton: Rogers, N'Dow (Bruton 66), Johnson, Follis (Ayisi 57), Simpkins, Addison, Skeels, Rutherford, Roe, Henson, Ross. Subs (not used) Gray, Newborough, Logan, Bashford, O'Rourke 

Sheffield United: Davies, Wilson, Newsham, Hartley, Sweetman-Kirk, Cusak, Rayner, Paul, Lord-Mears, Muir, Brown 

Goals: Bruton

Attendance: 355

Written by: Isabelle Rogerson

Charlton v MK Dons

Read Time: 4 mins