Charlton's Women completed 2025 undefeated in the league with a last-gasp win against Nottingham Forest at The Valley. Having played every team in the Women's Super League 2 so far, the Addicks have proved themselves unbeatable as they charge into 2026 as legue leaders.
The first 20 minutes were on pretty even keel with one or two chances at both ends. For Charlton, Amalie Thestrup nearly caught Nottingham’s Batty out of goal and Jodie Hutton made an attempt on goal narrowly saved by the keeper, whilst at the other end Forest made good use of the left wing but to no avail.
In the 34th minute, Aimee Claypole broke through for Forest, but was denied by Sophie Whitehouse’s save.
The Addicks started the second half strong, with Karin Muya sending in a cross which Lucy Fitzgerald missed by just centimetres as she broke free in the box. The ball eventually bounced out to Glória Siber who took a shot that landed just north of the crossbar.
It was Forest who ultimately took the lead when Claypole capitalised on an opportunity assisted by the head of Nottingham’s Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, as she tapped the ball just past Sophie Whitehouse from close range.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah almost extended the lead as the half went on, starting a run from a long ball delivered from Forest’s defensive line. The Addicks forged on, displaying that characteristic Charlton grit as they paced towards the Forest box where Thestrup made another attempt on goal for the reds.
The equaliser ultimately came when sub Emma Bissell planted a cross at the feet of the awaiting Muya who hammered it home from close range following a fantastic first touch.
Meanwhile, Forest ended the match with 10 players for the last 10 minutes when skipper Georgia Brougham received a red card following her second booking.
The Addicks came close in added time when another cross from Bissell was almost put home by Mary McAteer, but the big moment eventually came when Bissell took advantage of a defensive error and slammed the ball in the back of the net, securing Charlton's win.
Charlton Athletic’s women return to home WSL 2 action with a bang! On Sunday, January 25th (KO 2pm GMT) The Addicks face Newcastle United.
Join us for the second half of an unstoppable season! Be there behind the reds!
Charlton: Whitehouse, Newsham, N’Dow, Bradley, Fitzgerald (McAteer 73), Hutton, Muya, Siber, Thestrup (Bissell 68), Lobato (Ross 73), Flannery
Subs (not used): Pedersen, Kenney, Finlayson
Booked: Bradley 37 (foul on Stapleton), N’Dow (foul on Perez)
Goals: Muya 70, Bissell 90+8
Nottingham Forest: Batty, Stapleton, Brougham, Mustaki, Rodgers, Claypole, Hed, Rowe, García (Rose 66), Smith (Hamilton 81), Boye-Hlorkah
Subs (not used): Ferguson, Johnson, Lia, Almqvist, Olding, Green, Howe
Sent off: Brougham (second bookable offence)
Goals: Claypole 48
