The stage was set in E10, as Brisbane Road played host to the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup in a London fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic.

After falling out of the Continental Tyres League Cup on Wednesday evening, Robert Vilahamn’s Tottenham side would be eagerly searching to march on in their FA Cup journey, in a searching quest for 2023/24 silverware.

Despite residing in the Barclays Women’s Championship, today’s visitors would arrive in E10 with an insatiable hunger to strike down their Barclays WSL opponents. Currently sitting at the league table’s summit on the Championship ladder, Charlton would be sure to prove a mountainous test for the Spurs.

TOT: Spencer; Bartrip, Grant, Nildén, Summanen, Ahtinen, Bühler, Wang, Clinton, Bizet, England

CHA: Gray; Ross, N’Dow, Addison, Ayisi, Longhurst, McGowan, Barton, Skeels, O’Rourke, Roe

All was underway here at Brisbane Road Stadium, as Grace Clinton kicked off proceedings from the centre spot.

Olga Antihen teed up Tottenham’s first opportunity in the opening minutes, as her searching corner effort floated nicely into the danger zone. Despite her leaping efforts, Eveliina Summanen’s headed attempt was sent just shy of the woodwork.

Shuang Wang was next to provide the service, as her corner strike provided a golden opportunity for the home side inside of the area. A clatter of limbs saw the ball drop inside of the penalty area, before Kate Longhurst cleared the play away from potential danger.

Tottenham captain Beth England would find herself in a prime position mere moments later. Despite unmarked inside of the area, the England forward’s header would fly just shy of the goalposts in a mistimed attempt.

Tottenham’s isolated press caused havoc for the visitors, as Charlton’s last line found themselves unable to play through the high press of Vilahamn’s side.

It would be Kayleigh Barton who would instigate the first attacking stride for the visitors, as she claimed the wide area with authoriy. Despite her expert footwork working to evade intruders, Amanda Nildén’s lunging challenge saw the ball out for a Charlton corner. Despite the opportunity to appear threatening in the box, the corner arrived with no success.

Despite what was a quiet commencement to proceedings for the visitors, Charlton slowly began to knock on the door of the home side. Placing pressure on the Spurs last line, Freda Ayisi found herself awarded a free kick in an opportunistic position. Lining up from the marker, Ayisi’s disappointing effort was immediately halted it’s tracks by the Tottenham wall.

Despite Shuang Wang’s strike from the edge of the area being hit with intent, her attempt from distance flew just wide of Jessica Gray’s goalposts. The clock ran down on the opening half as the fixture entered the interval at a goalless stalemate.

Play was back underway in E10, as the visitors recommenced proceedings from the centre spot.

It would be the hosts who would strike first in the second half, as Charli Grant drove the space along the wide area before locating the feet of an advancing Celin Bizet in a dangerous area. Delicate footwork from Bizet allowed her to evade her marker, before sending a floating cross inside the area. Despite making good connection, recently substituted Martha Thomas was unable to the gap between herself and the defender as her strike was deflected away from danger.

Despite a moment of nerve, Charlton bit back with immediate hunger. Surging up the wing with intent, Tegan McGowan’s impressive cross-body effort only narrowly surpassed the back post.

England once again found herself in a prime position, as the play was teed up for her on the edge of the area. Despite finding herself in an unmarked scenario, the Spurs captain was unable to break the deadlock as she slid her shot weakly just left of the goalposts.

As the clock ran in to it’s final 25 minutes, England was once again faced with a golden opportunity to open the evening’s scoresheet. Brilliant build up play saw the Spurs enter the area with intent, before a cut-back cross allowed England an opportunity to pull her team ahead. Though her strike was denied by the woodwork, clattering the post as the ball was cleared away from danger.

Jessica Naz appeared threatening as she entered the pitch, immediately attempting to lift a tired looking Tottenham outfit. Surging forward with intent, Naz worked her way around the Charlton last line. Though her shot did not have the intended outcome, as a deflection saw the strike fly through to an awaiting Jessica Gray.

The call was finally answered for the hosts, as a recently substituted Kit Graham provided the Spurs the boost they needed. A strike from distance found the back of the net, providing Tottenham with the advantage in the 76th minute of play.

Graham’s strike against her former side proved to be the difference at Brisbane Road, as the final whistle blew on the 1-0 result in East London.

The victory for Robert Vilahamn’s side means that Tottenham continue their stride in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, securing progression through to the quarterfinal stages of the competition.