REPORT | Watford Women 0 Charlton 5

The Addicks passed with pace and pressed with intensity as they cruised to a 5-0 away win against Watford in their final game of the Continental League Cup group stages.

Ella Rutherford scored twice, with Mia Ross and Elisha Sulola also finding the net after an early own goal as Karen Hills’ side made it three wins in a row.

The performance was one the Charlton Manager was pleased with. She said: “It was a dominant performance, I was pleased to get some players on the pitch to get some extra minutes as well. I’m pleased with the result.”

Charlton found a lot of joy down the right in the first half, with centre back Keira Skeels impressing with her outstanding distribution.

Her pass into the right channel, in the 26th minute, found Emma Follis charging into space. The attacker’s cross was deflected into the goal by a Watford defender.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 when Beth Roe crossed from the right into the path of Rutherford, who controlled well and squeezed the ball into the net past Mia Smith.

The third goal was a near replica of the first. Again Skeels sprayed the ball into space, again Follis ran in behind the defence to collect. This time her cross to the back post found Ross to tap home her second goal in as many games.

The Addicks went in 3-0 up the break and made changes, including bringing on the returning Becky Jane, who has had a spell on the sidelines through injury.

It didn’t take long for Hills’ side to score again as Rutherford calmly netted her second of the game, capitalising on a miss-communication in the Watford defence.

Substitute Sulola made it 5-0 in the 67th minute, getting on the end of a devilish cross from the right from fellow sub Hollie Olding. 

The Charlton pressure continued, with Olding well denied by Smith, who also made a good save from a Rutherford free kick.

The impressive Roe blasted over with minutes remaining as the game finished 5-0.

Watford Women: M. Smith, Vyse (Wilshire 60), Harney, Ali (C) (Bell 46), Biggadike (Meiwald 73), R. Smith, Humes (Meola 46), Charles, Roberts, Henson, Waldron

Sub (not used): Ferguson

Charlton: Cumings, Filbey (C), Follis (Sulola 59), Wynne (Bashford 59), Hughes (Olding 46), Skeels, Roche, Rutherford, Roe, Huechan (Jane 46), Ross (Newborough 59)

Sub (not used): Grimmond

Goals: Own goal 26, Rutherford 32, 54, Ross 41, Sulola 67

Referee: G Bull

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