Seeking to bounce back from their opening day 2024/25 Women’s Championship defeat to Durham (1-2), Sheffield United manager Ash Thompson surprisingly dropped Eva Butler down to the substitutes bench despite her goal at The Graham Sports Centre Durham University less than a week ago.
Charlotte Wardlaw- currently on loan from Barclays WSL champions Chelsea- was handed her full debut for the club in the hosts’ other notable change.
Meanwhile, after comprehensively sweeping aside Portsmouth (3-0) in matchday 1, Charlton unexpectedly made a switch between the sticks as Jessica Sarah Gray replaced Sophie Whitehouse in goal.
SHE: Rogers; Lafayette, Wilding, Graham, Cowan; Farrugia, Robinson, Kinzett, Molloy; Grace Foy, Wardlaw
CHA: Gray; Roe, Skeels, Gracie Pearse, Newsham; Humphrey, Bashford; Brazil, Hutton, Filis; Barton
Ominously on the losing side in only one solitary head-to-head across the previous nine encounters, the hosts began assertively with an eye for the back of the net as Monique Robinson witnessed her effort expertly redirected away from goal by an opposing Charlton defender.
Ellen Molloy would continue the hosts’ pursuit of the game’s opening goal in the 24th minute, as the recalled figure of Gray did well to preserve her clean sheet.
The Republic of Ireland international’s chance turned out to be the only significant shot throughout an unimaginative first half in front of goal, with both sets of supporters in attendance surely hoping for a more attractive second 45’.
Protecting a consecutive five-match winning sequence in the Championship, the travelling Addicks supporters were captured celebrating in the 58th minute as the in-form Brazil confidently converted Carla Humphrey’s delicious delivery into the danger zone on the counter-attack beyond Sian Rogers to open the scoring for the visitors.
In a carbon copy of the first half, chances were few and far between for the two sides, as apart from the balling Brazil’s brilliant finish, a stellar stop in the 90th’ from Rogers kept the scoreline at only the one goal.
A sixth successive competitive victory for Charlton sees the Addicks off one spot off of the summit of the division, as top spot is currently occupied by Durham on goal difference. As for Sheffield United, they succumb to back-to-back defeats to kick off the 2024/25 season.
