Despite taking an early lead through Carla Humphrey the Addicks fall to defeat in their opening group game of this season's Continental Cup competition thanks to two second-half goals from Emma Harries and Izzy Atkinson.
In the opening minute of the match, Charlton's goalkeeper Sian Rogers was immediately put to the test by a dangerous shot from West Ham. However, Rogers showcased her incredible skills with a superb save, denying West Ham an early lead.
The ball was quickly regained by Melissa Johnson, who charged down the wing to make Charlton's presence known. But her shot ended up in the arms of West Ham's goalkeeper Megan Walsh.
As the clock ticked on, the intensity of the game continued to rise. In the 11th minute, West Ham's playmaker Asista received a long ball and made a sprint towards Rogers, ready to strike. Nevertheless, Rogers stood her ground and confidently collected the ball.
The Addicks then gained the early advantage when Carla Humphrey delivered a perfectly placed free kick into the box, causing chaos for the West Ham defence.
Freda Ayisi looked to seize the opportunity and unleashed a thunderous shot that struck the post. However, Charlton's chance for a goal wasn't over yet. Just a minute later, Humphrey found herself in the right place to slot the ball home from close range, giving the Addicks a fantastic goal and pushing them ahead of the Hammers.
The Addicks thought they made it two when Johnson the back of the net, but her celebrations were cut short as she was flagged offside.
West Ham launched a comeback in the 34th minute, initiating an attack down the wing. However, Beth Roe stood strong in defence, effectively denying the opposition and sending the ball away. As the first half drew to a close, Filis aimed in the 39th minute, but her shot curled wide of the post.
The second half commenced with great energy again. In the 56th minute, Freya Godfrey showcased her skill as she weaved through the West Ham defence, looking to open her Charlton account and unleashing her shot. However, Walsh, the West Ham goalkeeper, made a crucial save, denying Godfrey the chance to increase Chartlon's lead.
Just a minute later, in the 57th minute, West Ham's Emma Harries took advantage of a scramble in the box and slotted the ball home, levelling the scoreline.
The Hammers managed to find the back of the net once again, this time Atkinson finding the back of the net, the Addicks now trailed 2-1 in the 77th minute.
Rogers was again called into action in the 84th minute as she expertly punched away a free kick from West Ham. The Addicks almost sent the game to penalties in the 86th minute when Ayisi's free kick found Skeels. Despite Skeels' powerful half-volley, Walsh made a remarkable save to deny Charlton the equalizer. Tegan McGowan, who made her first appearance since retuning from her ACL injury, also almost found the back of the net but her late strike went over the bar.
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West Ham: Walsh, Smith (Atkinson 45), Shimizu, Harries, Filis (Stringer 52), Denton, Asseyi (Evans 52), Cooke, Cissoko, Ademiluyi (Ueki 62), Flannery
Subs (unused): Arnold, Tysiak
Yellow Cards: Atkinson (92)
Goal: Harries (58) Atkinson (78)
Charlton: Rogers, Ross, Johnson (McGowan 79), Humphrey (Bashford 24), Ayisi, Longhurst, F.Godfrey (Addison 58), Roche (Muya 58), O’Rourke, Roe, H.Godfrey (Skeels 58)
Subs (unused): Gray, Mckenna, Green, Bell
Goal: Humphrey (20)
Yellow Cards: Muya (76)