WSL 2 leaders Charlton put on yet another impressive display against fourth-placed Newcastle United as they stormed into 2026 with another win to extend their unbeaten league run.
Charlton’s women began the game dominant in possession, with Amelie Thestrup coming close to netting a cross-come-shot in the 12th minute, but it wasn’t long before Jodie Hutton made use of an excellently placed pass by Lucy Fitzgerald, smashing a goal in from close range just three minutes later to put the undefeated Addicks ahead.
The Magpies began to settle into the match midway through the first half, but they struggled to convert. The first potential threat from the visitors saw a golden opportunity for Beth Lumsden who attempted a volley that landed harmlessly in the safe hands of Sophie Whitehouse.
The 31st minute also saw Jordan Nobbs make an attempt from range for the Magpies that saw the Addicks number one stretched for the first time in the match, diving to her left and keeping Newcastle out.
Meanwhile Charlton’s efforts continued to prove fruitful as Katie Bradley extended the lead, sending Anna Tamminen wrong way with a calmly taken penalty that came when Newcastle’s Ashanti Akpan brought down Karin Muya in the box.
Just two minutes later Bradley returned with another attempt on the Magpies’ goal, as she strode through Newcastle’s backline before firing a shot that ultimately ended in the arms of Tamminen, keeping their deficit to just two.
It was the visitors that closed out the half with a chested attempt gently guided towards goal by Emily Murphy which was ultimately caught by Whitehouse once again.
The Magpies fought back as the second half commenced, and the 58th minute saw Oona Sevenius narrow the score as she struck a ball in the bottom right-hand corner just out of the grasp of the Addicks’ keeper.
As the clock ticked on, chances came and went for both sides, and whilst Newcastle dominated possession for much of the second half, Charlton’s women exercised their trademark patience and game management that became a staple for the reds in their unbeaten first half the season.
The reds showed off their defensive prowess despite nine minutes of added time, securing all three points for the unbeaten table leaders to start off the calendar year.
The Addicks return to SE7 on Sunday, February 15th (KO 12.30pm GMT) when they host Durham for our annual Football v Homophobia game at The Valley.
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Charlton Athletic: Whitehouse, Newsham, N’Dow, Bradley, Fitzgerald (Ross 82), Hutton (Kenney 82), Muya (McAteer 66), Siber, Thestrup (Lockwood 66), Lobato, Flannery
Booked: McAteer 71 (foul), Newsham 90+9 (delaying restart)
Subs (not used): Pedersen, Pearse, Bissell, Finlayson, Waldie
Goals: Hutton 15, Bradley 36 (Pen),
Newcastle United: Tamminen, Stokes, Nobbs, Purfield, Pike, Torpey (Fox 66), Sevenius (Joel 78), Akpan (McQuade 46), Mannion, Lumsden (Gregory 46), Murphy (Hayles 66)
Subs (not used): Moan, Grec, Freeman
Booked: Pike 90+8 (foul on Lobato)
Goals: Sevenius 58
Attendance: 740
