REPORT | SUNDERLAND 2 CHARLTON 3

Ella Rutherford

The Addicks came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory against Sunderland thanks to a stoppage-time towering header from Elisha N'Dow.

The hosts created the first opportunity of the match inside two minutes, but Brianna Wetstrup's header was well defended. 

Charlton's first chance came through a free-kick which was swung in by Ella Rutherford but eventually cleared away by a well-orchestrated Sunderland defence.

The hosts continued to look dangerous in attack but thanks to some superb defending from the Addicks the threat was cleared away.

Sunderland continued their attacking press and eventually, their work was rewarded when Emily Scarr put the hosts ahead after drilling her shot into the back of the net just shy of the 30-minute mark, the goal saw the black cats go into the lead at the interval.

Karen Hills' side came firing out of the blocks in the second half in search of their equaliser. But it was Mel Reay's side who almost doubled their advantage after Emily Scarr's shot hammered off the crossbar.

The Addicks finally found their opener and it was Ella Rutheford who secured her second goal in two weeks after she bundled her header home from the back post from a super Beth Roe corner. 

Charlton continued to press and midfielder Freda Ayisi was impressive in the middle of the park threading some beautiful balls over the top to Melissa Johnson but the forward was just offside. 

It was the hosts who put their noses in front again when Emma Kelly nudged her effort past Sian Rogers at the far post in the 78th minute.

But the Addicks responded straight away after centre-back Kiera Skeels smashed a shot at goal from far out which deflected off the Sunderland defender and trickled past Moan.

With 10-minutes left to play of normal time both sides were level pegging in search of the victory, and Sunderland's chances were dented after Abby Holmes was shown a second yellow and dismissed. 

Charlton had a few good opportunities in the final third with 18-year-old Tegan McGowan looking energetic and lively but unable to convert. 

But in the 93rd minute, the Addicks found a late winner, after Roe pinged a beautiful ball to N'Dow who got up and sent her header flying into the back of the net the late goal saw the Addicks head back to the capital with all three points, and make it three wins from four. 

Charlton: Rogers, N'Dow, Johnson, Simpkins (Henson 55), Ayisi, Addison, Logan (McGowan 55), Skeels, Rutherford (Ross 69), O'Rourke, Roe

Subs (Not used): Soper, Bashford 

Goals: Rutherford 62, Skeels 79, N'Dow 90+ 

Booked: Rutherford 66, Rutherford 90+ (Red).

Sunderland: Moan, Holmes, McCatty, Westrup, Griffiths, Herron, Brown, Kelly, Joice (Watson 86), Dodds, Scarr (Manders 86)

Subs (Not used):  Cowling, McInnes, Gears, Brown, Mullen, Beers, Ramshaw 

Goals:  Scarr 28, Kelly 78

Booked: Holmes 81, (second yellow - red)

Referee: A. Rahjoo 


 

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