The Barclays Championship is back, and Charlton have started 2025 with a win after beating Durham 2-1 away from home.
Both sides started strong in the freezing conditions, and there were chances at goal in the first ten minutes. The Addicks' first chance came ten minutes into the first half as the team went on the attack through Barton and Brazil, who played off each other while traveling up the pitch and found Muya on the right-hand side. Muya crossed the ball, but Brazil couldn’t quite reach it in time to find the back of the net.
The rest of the half continued evenly, but the Addicks looked comfortable both in and out of possession.
The first goal came just before halftime when Charlton went on the counter, and Barton saw the Durham keeper off her line. She chipped it over the top and into the back of the net, giving the Addicks the advantage as they went into the break.
The second half played out similarly to the first, with a bit of snow added to the mix. Both sides continued to create chances, but the Charlton defence stayed strong and cleared any attacking threats from Durham.
Durham came close in the 50th minute with a corner that hit the post and bounced into a mass of players, all scrambling to get a touch. Luckily, the Addicks got there first and cleared the ball from danger.
In the 63rd minute, Filis, who was on a yellow card, was replaced by Primus. Twelve minutes after the change, Charlton capitalised on a Durham mistake, and Primus doubled the lead, scoring her first goal for Charlton.
As the 90 minutes approached, Durham threw everyone forward, trying to get something out of the game. Seven minutes were added on, and the home side managed to pull one back in the 95th minute.
The game ended 2-1, with three points for Charlton to take home on the road.
CHARLTON: Whitehouse, Newsham, N'Dow, Pearse, Hutton, Skeels, Bradley, Filis (Primus 63), Brazil, Barton, Muya (O'Rourke 90+1)
GOALS: Barton 44, Primus 75
SUBS (unused): Gray, Siber, Chime, Humphries, Bashford