Durham FC Women

 Charlton Athletic and Durham drew 1-1 in the Women’s Championship on Sunday at The Oakwood.  Both goals came late in the match with Sarah Robson heading the visitors into the lead in the 85th minute before Kayleigh Green equalised for the Addicks from the penalty spot 10 minutes into stoppage time.

Charlton started the brighter of the two in the opening 10 minutes but Durham defended well.  The hosts also had a succession of early corners that came to nothing.  The Addicks first attempt on target came in the 12th minute but Mary Bashford’s long-range shot was easily caught by the Wildcats goalkeeper Tatiana Saunders.  Carla Humphrey saw her effort go wide two minutes later as the home side continued their good start. 

The visitors best form of attack in the early stages was on the break, and their first chance came in the 16th minute when after one of these attacks they won a corner which was headed wide by Lauren Briggs. 

Seconds later they had another opportunity when Eleanor Ryan-Doyle saw her header go over.  Six minutes later, Briggs’ shot from 25-yards was stopped by the hosts keeper Jessica Gray.

After the Wildcats goalkeeper went down injured in the 23rd minute, there was a drinks/tactical break on what was a very warm and sunny afternoon in Crayford.  The rest of the first half was a bit quieter chances wise with Charlton appeals for a penalty being turned down by referee Grace Lowe in the 32nd minute. 

The visitors were still defending well, and they had the final chances of the first half in injury time with Robson being denied by Gray, then the Addicks goalkeeper made a superb save to tip over Sarah Wilson’s shot from the edge of the area.

The away side had the first opportunities after the break as well but Ryan-Doyle’s shot went well over in the 51st minute.  Five minutes later, there was a scramble following a corner with Gray doing well to stop the ball crossing the line.

Robson made a vital block to stop the ball reaching Melissa Johnson as the hosts attacked.  Shortly after, Johnson cut in from the right but shot straight at Saunders as the Addicks had their first attempt at goal in the second half in the 63rd minute.

Amy Andrews had the Wildcats next chance in the 70th minute when she cut in but saw her shot saved.  Robson was having an excellent game for Durham as she continued to make vital interventions to stop Charlton attacks and clear attempts at goal.

Second half substitute Saoirse Noonan saw her free kick from 25 yards deflected over for the away side.  From the resulting corner, Robson headed in to give Durham the lead with five minutes remaining.

Freda Ayisi sent an effort across goal for the Addicks that was cleared in the fourth minute of injury time.  Robson went down injured a few minutes later and was unable to continue meaning the Wildcats had to play the remainder of the match with 10 players as they had used all their substitutes.

Charlton were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time after Green was brought down in the area by Wilson.  Green stepped up herself to take the spot kick and put the ball low into the corner of the net to score a very late equaliser.

There was still time for both sides to have chances to win the match with the visitors Poppy Pritchard putting an effort high and wide, whilst Lois Roche shot over from close-range for the home side.  After 15 minutes of additional time, the referee blew the final whistle as the match ended in a draw.

Both sides are in Conti Cup action on Wednesday evening when Charlton travel north of the river to play WSL side West Ham, whilst Durham are at home to league rivals Blackburn.  Next Sunday in the Championship, the Addicks go to the Lancashire FA County ground to take on Blackburn, and the Wildcats are on their travels again with a trip to Southampton.

Line ups

Charlton Athletic: Gray, McKenna, Johnson (Ross 73’), Addison (Ayisi 62’), Humphrey (Muya 88’), Longhurst (c) (F. Godfrey 62’), Green, Skeels, Bashford (Roche 88’), O’Rourke, Roe

Unused substitutes: Rogers, Bell, H. Godfrey

Goal – Green (pen) 90’+10

Booked – Humphrey, F. Godfrey

Durham: Saunders, Briggs (Lambert 69’), S. Wilson (c), Robson, Andrews (Noonan 76’), Crosthwaite (Clarke 69’), Salicki, Bradley, Pritchard, Ryan-Doyle, Holmes (E. Wilson 89’)

Unused substitutes: Mcaloon, Nicholson

Goal – Robson 85’

Booked – Ryan-Doyle, S.Wilson

Referee – Grace Lowe