After a victorious start to the campaign away to Southampton on the opening weekend, our table-topping women’s team return to the Oakwood for the first home game of the season on Sunday (kick off 4.30pm)
If you fancy heading to Crayford to support the team as they begin their home campaign for 2022/23, here is everything you might need to know about the clash with London City Lionesses.
When, Where and how much?
The game will take place at the women team’s regular home of the Oakwood in Crayford,(DA1 4DN), which is about a twenty minute walk, uphill from Crayford station.
Both the 492 and 96 buses stop near the ground; Old Road Perry Street Stop for the 492, or Bigs Hill Wood for the 96.
Car parking is available free on the streets surrounding the ground.
Tickets are just £8 for adults; £4 for under 18s and over 65s.
Last Season
When the Addicks and the Lionesses met last season, they traded 2-0s over the two clashes at their home grounds in Crayford and Dartford.
At the Oakwood last November, Mia Ross’ header and former Addicks defender Harley Bennett’s own goal would earn all three points for Charlton kicking off their unbeaten and clean sheet run which would go on to last until February.
In April, at the reverse fixture at Princes Park in Dartford, London City came away with the points. A brace from Karin Muya gave LCL the victory on the way to clinching 2nd place in the FA Women’s Championship.
Opening Day of this Season
Karen Hills’ side got their campaign off to a winning start against newly promoted Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium, with two debutantes on the scoresheet.
After an early spell of threat from the hosts, former Addick Megan Wynne brought down Angela Addison in the box for a penalty. This season’s new Club Captain Emily Simpkins stepped up to open her account with a beautifully placed penalty into the corner.
The second half would see Charlton extend their lead as a quick throw in from Heidi Logan caught the Saints defence napping with a cool turn and finish from another summer arrival, Melissa Johnson making it two-nil. It might have been three when Ella Morris bundled Beth Roe over in the box but Addison’s penalty was well saved by Kayla Rendell.
While we may not have seen the best of them at the weekend, Southampton impressed many with their summer recruitment and I can’t see many teams coming away from Hampshire with all three points; an excellent start to the campaign for the Addicks.
London City Lionesses faced a tough test at home on the opening day, as they welcomed Crystal Palace to Princes Park. Another team who have impressed with their summer recruitment, The Eagles are fancied by many this season. A closely fought London Derby was separated by just the one goal from Eagle's Isabella Sibley who followed up after Chloe Arthur’s thunderbolt strike cannoned off the crossbar.
Predicted XI
I can’t imagine Karen Hills will be looking to change too much from the winning team against Southampton as everyone impressed in a brilliant team performance.
The shape looked to be that of the Gaffer’s favoured 4-2-3-1, with Mel Johnson leading the line and Emma Follis playing in behind her. Heidi Logan and Angela Addison played supplying the width, while Mia Ross & Emily Simpkins sat deeper in the midfield.
The back four of Beth Roe on the right, Sophie O-Rourke on the left with Hannah Godfrey and Kiera Skeels at the heart of defence, backed up by Sian Rogers between the sticks.
Forward Ella Rutherford, midfielder Freda Ayisi and winger Corinne Henson all saw action from the bench.
Ones-To-Watch
For Charlton, Hannah Godfrey was rock solid at the back, continuing on from her defensive work last season after being made Vice Captain for the new campaign,
Goal scorer Mel Johnson carved out plenty of chances for herself and her teammates at St Mary’s.
Many were surprised that we didn’t see Chelsea loanee Lucy Watson on Saturday. The 18 year old is coming off an excellent last season with Sheffield United, which enticed the WSL Champions Chelsea and no doubt she will make an impact in a Charlton shirt when she is called to action.
For London City Lionesses, former Addicks Lois Heuchan may come back to haunt us at the Oakwood with the winger no doubt seeing this weekend as a perfect opportunity to make a good impression for her new club. We know better than most how dangerous she can be.
Also, 22 year old Jamie-Lee Napier may also be one to watch; a good performer for LCL in her first season with the club last time out and she continued in that vein with a great performance in last weekend’s defeat against Crystal Palace.
We look forward to seeing you at The Oakwood on Sunday