WSL2 leaders Charlton Athletic edged past Oxford United in a tight game at the MGroup Stadium to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday.
The hosts came into the game with a strong record at their home ground since Liam Gilbert’s appointment as head coach back in November, with six straight wins across the WFA Cup and National League. But Charlton’s season has been hugely impressive, unbeaten all season in the league, and in all competitions since defeat at the hands of West Ham in the League Cup back in September.
With the crowd behind them, Oxford United matched their higher league opponents in an entertaining first-half, but neither side managed to carve out any clear goalscoring opportunities. Charlton stepped up a gear after the break and started to turn the screw, though United’s defenders all remained confident on the ball, despite Charlton’s energetic press.
The decisive moment came 15 minutes from time. A scramble in the United box saw shots fired in from Hutton, Muya and Fitzgerald in quick succession, with the last effort being blocked on the line by Palmer’s outstretched hand. The referee had no choice but to send off Palmer and award a penalty, which was duly dispatched by Fitzgerald.
Charlton will now fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-finals, after being drawn at home to Liverpool in the next round – a side they could potentially replace in the WSL next season.
We were fortunate to have photographer Ian Middlebrook on hand to capture the action.
