Goals from Melissa Johnson and Angela Addison secured a well-deserved 2-0 win for Karen Hills’ in the Barclays Women's Championship as Charlton defeat Durham in SE7.
It was a nervy start to the encounter for the Addicks, Durham receiving a handful of chances inside the Charlton box within just two minutes, Sian Rogers made an important save at close range to keep the score level.
Rogers was called into action just moments later as Clarke slipped in behind the Charlton defence, the 24-year-old shot-stopper was able to rush out and halt the Durham forward.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure early on as Lauren Briggs sent an audacious switch across the pitch and in behind the Addicks back line again. Crosthwaite latched onto the pass and sent her effort goalwards, eventually clipping the post.
Charlton received their first real opportunity of the afternoon as the ball slipped out to Addison on the edge of the box, the forward raced into the box before striking her effort straight at the keeper.
The Addicks opened the scoring with 15 minutes on the clock, Bruton showed great composure as she danced her way through the box before being tripped by a Durham defender.
Melissa Johnson stepped up to the spot and calmly converted into the bottom left from 12 yards, taking her goal count to 11 in the league this campaign.
The visitors continued to threaten toward the Charlton goal, this time O’Rourke putting a stop to a certain goal as the ball was swung in towards the back post. Her last-ditch interception cleared the ball out for a Durham corner in the 36th minute.
Charlton came out in the second half raring to go as O’Rourke hammered down the left wing toward the Durham goal, the fullback cut the pass back toward Addison on the penalty spot whose shot was blocked.
The away side received their first opportunity of the second half just minutes after the hour mark as their winger surged in on goal, Roe making a vital tackle to clear the ball out for a corner.
As the clock hit the 70th minute, Charlton extended their lead through Angela Addison. A well-worked attack reached Johnson who played the winger through on goal, one on one with McAloon, Addison cooly placed her effort into the bottom right, securing the three points in SE7.
Charlton: Rogers, N’Dow, Johnson, Follis (Hennessy 89), Simpkins, Bruton (Bashford 62), Addison (Logan 89), Skeels, Roche (Ross 45), Roe (Henson 76), O’Rourke
Subs: Gray Soper, Bell
Goals: Johnson 16, Addison 69
Durham: McAloon, Briggs, Lambert, Wilson, Robson (Robert 77), Hepple, Crosthwaite (Farrugia 70), Bradley, Ayre, Noonan (Galloway 77), Clarke (Hardy 67)
Subs (Not used): Saunders
Attendance: 336
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