It all comes down to one match.
Birmingham City visit the The Valley this Saturday (yes, Saturday 3pm) in a promotion showdown. The top two for the season vying not only for a spot in the WSL but for the WSL2 title as well.
For so long Charlton were top of the tree with Birmingham nipping at their heels but being kept at arms length. Poor form has meant that the roles were reversed but a surprise 3-0 defeat for Birmingham by Ipswich meant they relinquished top spot last weekend. Charlton responded with a scrappy 2-2 draw at Southampton. Emma Bissell looked as if she’d sealed victory in added time only for Atlanta Primus to equalise seconds later. Ultimately, those two points don’t make much difference. A draw this weekend guarantees promotion. The title is trickier to achieve but that doesn’t really matter.
Karen Hills faces a bit of a dilemma. Does she set up aggressively, going for the title-sealing win or does she play for a draw and the promotion guarantee? Most supporters would prefer the former but the more defensive approach would be in keeping with the rest of the season. Charlton saw just 26% of the ball in the 1-0 away win at Birmingham - taking only 4 shots. Of course, Katie Bradley had scored after seven minutes so the siege mentality was adopted early. The average possession stats of the two teams fit together nicely with The Addicks enjoying 40.3% of the ball and Birmingham seeing 59% of it. Birmingham are the division's top scorers and Charlton have the meanest defence. In general, Birmingham are a top attacking side. They’ve had the most shots on target in the WSL2, have created the most big chances and made the most accurate long balls and crosses as well as taken the most corners and touches in the opposition box. It’s pretty safe to assume that those in red will spend more time defending than attacking.
There are tough selection calls to make. Jodie Hutton is seemingly slightly out of favour but made a big difference off the bench against Southampton. Charlotte Newsham being able to play on her natural side helped. Gillian Kenney was lively off the bench too but played in a much deeper role than we’ve seen before. Amalie Thestrup had little service but was ineffective. The defence looked solid but failed to react to Sophie Whitehouse’s parried save when Primus pounced. Mistakes like that cannot happen on Saturday.
The fixture (3pm kick off) is set to see an Addicks league attendance record with 1400 tickets already sold. The Fan Zone will be open and the Fans Bar will be showing the men's final league fixture at Swansea. The Valley will also be taking part in a trial that allows drinking in view of the pitch. With warm weather, a potential promotion party and tickets costing £7 (£2 under 18) it’s well worth coming down to SE7 for your final football fix of the season.
Although, of course, it might not quite be the final fix. If Charlton lose this game and finish third they will qualify for a one-off home play-off against the bottom WSL team - Leicester. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Charlton's non-executive chair Gavin Carter encouraged everyone to get down to The Valley in support:
"If you are not travelling to Swansea, I would encourage you to come back to SE7, watch the screening of the boys and then get behind the women. If you have never experienced women’s football at The Valley, I would urge you to give it a go. This team embodies everything Charlton stands for. This group has been characterised by energy, bravery and togetherness. They have given us an incredible 18 months: a 27-game unbeaten run, record attendances and a league campaign that has put promotion in our hands. A place in the top tier of women’s football is at stake. We are all in this together and, just like last weekend, your support will make the difference. So, head to our home, to The Valley, on Saturday. Back this team, and help end the season on a high."
The club have announced that the attendance at Saturday's game will be higher than the 2,164 who witnessed the recent FA Cup tie with Liverpool. In fact the attendance will be the highest for a women's game at The Valley for over twenty years. Make sure you are there!
Photo by Danni Fairbairn