Women's Report: Saints 0-2 Charlton Athletic

Charlton, a team who Saints failed to beat last season, sat just behind the home side on goal difference at the start of today, so it was set to be an important clash for both sides.

Ahead of the game, on Remembrance Sunday, both sides and fans perfectly observed a period of silence, remembering those lost in conflict.

A strong start to the first half saw Saints look likely to score, but a resilient Charlton were able to keep things level until the second half.

The visitors opened the second period with one of their first clear opportunities of the game, Kayleigh Green's shot coming off the crossbar and an unfortunate Kayla Rendell and into the back of the net.

Charlton were then able to double the deficit deep into injury time, as Saints threw everything forward; Melissa Johnson sealing all three points on the counter with a calm finish.

Saints had a bright start, penning Charlton back into their own half and moving the ball well. Despite having played on Wednesday, there was no sign of lethargy, with Molly Pike and Lucia Kendall looking particularly dangerous in possession.

It took until after the first ten minutes for Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side to fashion a real chance however. Milly Mott did well to take a quick throw in before getting involved in the attack, slamming a ball across the box.

Jemma Purfield swept up the clearance over the other side, sliding a ball into Katie Wilkinson, who shielded the ball well before sending the ball back across the box. Ella Morris and Pike were both stretching for the opportunity, but it was not quite to be.

Charlton had their first chance of the game just before the 15 minute mark. Rebecca McKenna drove forward, passing to Kayleigh Green in the box. Rosie Parnell did well to get back in position and slide in to deny the cutback.

Wilkinson went just inches from opening the scoring shortly after. Spotting Addicks keeper Sian Rogers out of position, the Saints no.9 unleashed a shot from distance, which was only denied by the upright.

Charlton were growing into the game, and it took some smart keeping from Rendell to deny from the corner, before shutting down a promising Addicks attack.

Mott was having a blinder of a game, involved heavily in a number of Saints attacks, her perseverance off the ball buoying the rest of the home side.

Saints continued to push forward in attack, and Rogers was called upon at the close of the half to deny the home side once again. 

Mott was involved once again, driving forward and sending a ball into Kendall, who sent the perfect through ball to Pike in the box. It looked to be an almost certain opener, but Rogers’ excellent split save denied the no.14.

A half which Saints had started brightly, but with scores level at the close of the first 45, there was work to be done in the second period.

It was an unfortunate start to the second half, as Charlton opened the scoring. A shot from Kayleigh Green was tipped onto the crossbar, but came back down and ricocheted off Rendell and into the back of the net in the 48th minute.

There was a short break in play after the restart as Ella Morris received a ball to the face during defensive duties.

Saints had a set piece opportunity on the stroke of the 60th minute, as Sophia Pharoah was wiped out by Elisha N'Dow.

The swinging delivery from Purfield was a good one, and captain Parnell was inches from pounching on the spilt ball from Rogers, but she recovered well.

Spacey-Cale made a triple change not long after, with Lexi Lloyd-Smith, Rianna Dean and Alice Griffiths replacing Molly Pike, Katie Wilkinson and Chloe Peplow in the 63rd minute.

Dean had a near instantaneous impact as she doggedly chased down the keeper and prevented her from clearing the ball from a pass back, but Charlton just about did enough to clear their lines.

A slick St Mary's pitch was causing issues for both sides, but Lloyd-Smith was the main threat on Charlton's mind.

Making a nuisance of herself to the Charlton defence, Lloyd-Smith did well to cut inside and unleash a shot that went narrowly high of the crossbar.

Less than a minute later, she was driving down the left-hand side; Charlton having no choice but to concede a set-piece to deny the pacy winger a foray into the box.

The Addicks once again cleared their lines, but Saints were seemingly getting closer to finding their equaliser.

Another change saw Welsh international Megan Wynne replace Ella Morris - fresh legs searching for that perfect final ball.

Continuing their attacking push, Emily Kraft entered the fray as the final Saints sub, replacing Sophia Pharoah.

Jemma Purfield had Saints fans on their feet on the 90th minute as her left-footed free kick whistled narrowly past the far post.

With seven minutes on the fourth official's board, Saints pushed high up the pitch. However, it was the Addicks who were able to profit from that push; a counter attack seeing Melissa Johnson convert in injury time.

A disappointing result for Saints, who drop to fourth in the table as it stands. They'll be hoping to bounce back as they travel to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park next weekend - another team in and around Saints in the table.

Saints XI: Rendell, Mott, Parnell ©, Peake, Purfield, Kendall, Peplow (Griffiths, 63'), Morris (Wynne, 81'), Pike (Lloyd-Smith, 63'), Pharoah (Kraft, 86'), Wilkinson (Dean, 63').

Substitutes unused: Howard, Rafferty, Thompson, Milne.

Charlton XI: Rogers, McKenna, Ross, Addison, Humphrey, Ayisi (Godfrey, 68'), Green (Johnson, 68'), Skeels, Bashford, O’Rourke (N'Dow, 45'), Roe.

Substitutes unused: Gray, McGowan, Muya.