Karen Hills' side started pre-season with a bang, winning 3-1 in a dominating performance against National League South side Chatham Town.
Charlton Athletic began the match on the front foot, with Hutton coming close in the 3rd minute after capitalising on a defensive error, but her shot went narrowly wide.
The early pressure paid off in the 5th minute when Beth Roe scored a stunning goal from the top of the box, giving Charlton the lead after regaining possession in their own half.
Charlton continued to dominate, with Muya making promising runs down the wing and chances from Humphrey, Kayleigh and Filis.
In the first half, Chatham had spells of possession but defensively Charlton were solid with Skeels controlling the defence and stopping any advances and Gray taking care of an attempt from a corner.
After a continued dominance, Charlton found the net once again in the 37th minute with a goal from Bashford, who slotted the ball in the back corner making the score 2-0.
![Mary Bashford shooting](https://cdn.charltonafc.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/img_6993l.jpg)
At the start of the second half Hills' made a number of substitutions bringing on Whitehouse, N'Dow, Ross, Bradley, Siber and Finlayson on.
Throughout the half Charlton held the majority of possession, with Chatham hardly stepping inside the Addicks half.
While Charlton continued to make chances, in the 89th minute a mistake from the reds led to a goal for the home side with their only attempt on goal in the second half up to this point.
In added time, Chatham had a chance over the bar in the 91st minute, but Charlton responded immediately. Bashford scored a spectacular goal from 20 yards in the 93rd minute to seal the victory.
Final Score: Chatham Town 1 - 3 Charlton Athletic
First Half Squad: Gray, Skeels (c), Pearse, Newsham, Roe, Bashford, Filis, Humphrey, Muya, Hutton, Barton
Goals: Roe 5, Bashford 37
Second Half Squad: Whitehouse, N'Dow, Johnson, Roe, Pearse, Ross, Filis, Siber, Finlayson, Bradley, Hutton
Subs: Newsham, Bashford, Nelson-Iye, Ademiluyi
Goals: Bashford 90+3