WOMEN'S REPORT | Charlton 2 Durham 1

The Addicks made it three wins in a row with a 2-1 against second-placed Durham on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Beth Lumsden and Jess King sealed the win for Karen Hills’ Addicks, who are now unbeaten in five.

It was the visitors who started the game on the front foot, dominating possession in the early stages.

Eartha Cumings made an outstanding save in the 13th minute, tipping a ball destined for the top corner away.

Charlton won a number of dangerous free-kicks in the first half, but were unable to capitalise.

The Addicks took the lead in the 24th minute. Ella Powell bursted down the right-wing, drilled the ball to King who flicked on for Lumsden to slot the ball home.

Durham had a good chance to equalise on the half-hour mark. A long ball was played over the top for Beth Hepple, but Cumings was quick off her line to parry it away.

Charlton almost doubled their lead just before half-time. King was cynically brought down at the edge of the box, Charley Clifford’s free-kick slammed against the wall and bounced back to Alice Griffiths whose strike was just wide.

Just after half-time, the Addicks had another brilliant chance to get their second. Angie Dunbar-Bonnie, Powell and King all had shots blocked in the box in quick succession before Durham were able to eventually clear their lines.

On the hour mark a misplaced Durham pass put King through on goal, but her effort was wide.

King got her goal with twenty minutes left to play, as Durham again misplaced a pass at the back, allowing Shauna Vassell to square the ball to King who rolled it into the back of the net.

The visitors tried to get forward but the Charlton defence remained stern until the 88th minute when Durham pulled one back as a powerful Lauren Briggs shot flew past Cumings.

Sunday’s game was only the second time Durham had lost in the league this season, only losing to champions Leciester City prior.

Charlton: Cumings, Griffiths, Smith, Clifford, King, Powell (Dorey 81), Dunbar-Bonnie, Sampson, Sulola, Heuchan, Lumsden (Vassell 67)

Subs (not used): Legg, Eligon, Godden, Gotch, Coombs

Booked: Clifford (90+4)

Goals: Lumsden 24, King 65


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