Photo: @Islasmithmedia for ConstancySport
Starting Lineups:
Charlton Athletic
Sophie Whitehouse (C) (GK), Charlotte Newsham, Elisha N’Dow, Gracie Pearse, Katie Bradley,
Lucy Fitzgerald, Mia Enderby, Karin Muya, Gloria Siber, Amalie Thestrup, Lucia Lobato, Keira Flannery
Liverpool
Jennifer Falk (GK), Gemma Evans, Denise O’Sullivan, Cornelia Kapocs, Fuka Nagano, Mia Enderby, Lily Woodham, Jenna Clark (C), Kirsty MacLean, Alice Bergstrom, Aurelie Csillag
Used Subs:
Charlton Athletic
Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney, Katie Lockwood, Ellie Mason, Emma Bissell, Gracie Pearse
Liverpool
Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe, Martha Thomas, Risa Shimizu, Zara Shaw
Kick off at The Valley started with Charlton Athletic, trying to keep possession, but it was met with Liverpool’s early pressure.
Soon in, we saw a header from Mia Enderby tipped over the bar by Sophie Whitehouse. Corner for giving a corner to the Reds. This was taken by Lily Woodham, punched away by Whitehouse and collectedby the keeper.
Charlton had a couple of chances from Karin Muya and Amalie Thestrup, but Liverpool kept maintaining possession leaaving the Addicks no time on the ball. While their possession is high theyre not taking many chances.
Liverpool continued to hunt for a breakthrough via the flanks, with Lily Woodham’s dangerous deliveries forcing a strong clearance from Gloria Siber before finding the head of Mia Enderby, who steered her effort just over the bar. Despite Karin Muya providing a spark for Charlton on the right, Liverpool’s pressure remained constant as Alice Bergstrom and Fuka Nagano both saw late crosses and shots sail off-target
With 1 minute of injury time added after the first half, neither side was able to get on the scoresheet.
Soon into the second half, we saw a triple change for both sides, starting with Charlton, seeing Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney and Katie Lockwood coming on for Karin Muya, Amalie Thestrup and Katie Bradley. For Liverpool, seeing Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe and Martha Thomas coming on for Lily Woodham, Aurelie Csillag and Denise O’Sullivan.
Once the new substitutions came on, it was a battle down the side from Mia Enderby and Mia Ross, with Ross getting a booking for a foul on the forward. A free kick is given just outside the box on the right. Taken by Cornelia Kapocs, it was sent to the back post, but couldn’t connect with anyone, seeing it out.
Substitutions for both teams saw Charlotte Newsham leave the pitch and Ellie Mason come on for Charlton. Additionally, Alice Bergstrom comes off for Risa Shimizu for Liverpool.
Mia Enderby, on the right, sends a ball to Martha Thomas whos in the middle of the box. It looks like a shot towards the bottom right corner, but Beata Olsson backheels it, with it ending up in the bottom left. Unfortunately, Olsson was offside, so the goal didn’t stand.
Seems like Charlton can’t get out of their own half. They’re putting all of their bodies behind the ball to defend, so they can’t move up the pitch quickly enough when they get a chance to counterattack.
The physical intensity of the match boiled over when Elisha N’dow and Martha Thomas collided, resulting in a yellow card for the Charlton defender and a brief pause in play as physios were called on to treat her.
Substitutions for Charlton see Keira Flannery coming off for Emma Bissell.
After 7 minutes of scrappy added time, the full-time whistle goes, and it’s 0-0. At the Valley. Into extra time.
After a tough afternoon battling with Mia Enderby, Gracie Pearse leaves the pitch, with Mary McAteer coming on to replace her.
Zara Shaw makes her comeback for the Reds, coming on for Mia Enderby. She’s been out for just under a year after tearing her ACL in April 2025 while on international duty for the England under-19s.
Charlton is given a Goal Kick after a shot from the Reds. Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse takes her time with this and receives a booking for time-wasting.
Kapocs takes the corner, sending it into the 10-year box. It’s headed away by the Addicks, in again, off the crossbar and brought down. Then shot into the back of the net by Zara Shaw. With 5 minutes to go its Charlton Athletic 0-1 Liverpool.
1 minute of added time is given, but it isn’t enough for the Addicks to turn it around. At the end of Extra Time, it is Charlton Athletic 0 – 1 Liverpool.
The drama on the pitch was matched by the significance of the crowd in the stands. A total of 2,164 fans watched on – the highest attendance for a women’s fixture at The Valley in over 20 years. In a week where the club hoped for a record-breaking turnout, the SE7 faithful delivered, creating an atmosphere that pushed both sides through 120 minutes.
Leave a Reply