A dominant Charlton put in a very impressive performance at The Valley to beat Birmingham City 3-0.
The Blues were unbeaten coming into the game, not conceding in their opening two league games, but Karen Hills’ Addicks played some lovely football and scored three good goals to secure an excellent three points.
Charlton’s performance was even more impressive given that key players, Emma Follis and Hannah Godfrey, were both substituted with injuries in the first half.
Karen Hills made two impactful changes from the starting lineup that took on London City in the Addicks' previous outing. Elisha N’Dow made her full debut at the heart of the Charlton defence, and was excellent, while Ella Rutherford, who was involved in everything, made her first start of the season.
It took Charlton just four minutes to go in front, with Follis collecting a clearance just inside the penalty area and passing back to Rutherford on the edge of the area, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the goal with a perfectly-placed, side-footed shot. The winger celebrated in style with a knee slide in front of the Charlton supporters.
Addison, on the left wing, caused the Birmingham defence problems throughout the game and was denied well by Blues’ goalkeeper, Lucy Thomas, shortly after the Addicks opener.
Hills was forced into a 17th minute substitution when Follis was injured in a tackle and had to be replaced by Heidi Logan.
Shortly after the half hour mark Hills had to make her second substitution of the day when Godfrey, who had started the game well, was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Mia Ross.
The Addicks spirit showed though, as they kept their momentum going and Addison doubled Charlton’s lead with a left-footed finish from close range as she reacted quickest to a bouncing loose ball in the box.
Charlton made it three shortly after the half-time break in unusual fashion. Melissa Johnson did well to win possession back off Birmingham and Rutherford’s wonderstrike hit the post and bounced off the head of the unfortunate Thomas, into her own net.
Birmingham did create chances but Sian Rogers was rarely forced into a save as Charlton picked up a second league win of the season.
Charlton: Rogers; Roe, N’Dow, Godfrey (Ross 36), O’Rourke; Skeels, Simpkins (c) (Ayisi 85); Rutherford, Follis (Logan 17), Addison; Johnson (McGowan 85)
Subs (not used): Soper, Bashford, Henson
Goals: Rutherford 4, Addison 40, Thomas own goal 48
Booked: Roe 90+1
Birmingham City: Thomas, Scott, Quinn (c), Pennock, Finn, Smith (Ryan-Doyle 66), Murray, Wilson (Worsey 90+2), Green (Lawley 74), Estcourt, Devlin (Cole 74)
Subs (not used): Jones, Simkin, Jenner, Cowie, Worsey
Referee: A Keir
Attendance: 446
