The Addicks were condemned to defeat at The Valley in front of a record-breaking crowd as two late goals from London City Lionesses saw the visitors claim triumph in SE7.
Melisa Filis fired the Addicks ahead early on - scoring in her first appearance at The Valley - before the visitors netted two goals in the dying embers to secure all three points on Sunday afternoon.
Charlton accumulated a handful of chances early on, with the most threatening coming as Kiera Skeels’ header was cleared off the line by an opposing defender.
Shortly after and the Addicks were ahead, courtesy of a Melisa Filis strike. A superb display of work rate from Charlton saw Kayleigh Barton win possession in the London City Lionesses’ box, the forward passed off to Rebecca McKenna, who then teed up Melisa Filis. The midfielder surged into the box, wrapping her strike into the opposing top corner.
Jessica Gray was called into action in the 13th minute as Lois Joel let fly with a curling effort from range, a comfortable save for the Charlton stopper.
On the cusp of half-time, Barton tested Grace Moloney with an audacious attempt from distance, for the second time of the encounter. Forcing the visiting keeper into an important stop.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah came closest for London City Lionesses on the stroke of the interval, rattling a curling effort off of the post.
Kate Longhurst was on hand to make an important interception as Paige Satchell was threaded in on goal, superb from the skipper just moments before the hour mark.
An impressive passage of play from the away side saw Satchell take it past two Addicks defenders, eventually squaring for Boye-Hlorkah. Thankfully for Charlton, Gray was quick off her line to make the stop.
With ten minutes remaining of the fixture, substitute Tegan McGowan was next to test Moloney in between the sticks. McGowan was slotted in on goal, rifling an effort toward the near post, but Moloney was quick to make the all-important save.
In the 89th minute, London City Lionesses drew level. A cross was swung into the box from the right-flank and Lotta Lindström was on hand to rise highest and head home.
The visitors then took the lead with minutes to spare as Boye-Hlorkah homed in on goal, one-on-one with Gray. The Addicks defenders did well to race back however, the forward’s deflected effort crept over the line in the final moments of the encounter, securing the win for Remi Allen’s side.
Charlton: Gray, N’Dow, Skeels, McKenna, Roe, Longhurst © (Ayisi 79), Ross, Addison (Godfrey 90+2), Humphrey (McGowan 65), Filis, Barton (Johnson 90+2)
Subs (not used): Rogers, Muya, Bashford, O’Rourke, Pearse
Goal: Filis 5
Attendance: 1,315
