Charlton Athletic 2 Aston Villa 0 – Gemma Bryan at double as Addicks start with Championship win
Gemma Bryan struck both goals as Charlton Athletic began their first-ever season in the FA Women’s Championship with a deserved 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The Addicks could have had more on the night in what was a good, open contest as they took no time to adapt to their inaugural campaign in the second tier.
Aston Villa’s Sian Rogers was the first goalkeeper to be called into action when she tipped a powerful drive by Kit Graham from a narrow angle around the post.
But Charlton soon led, with Graham breezing past Villa captain Jade Richards out on the right before her low cross was turned in from close range by Bryan.
Photograph by Keith Gillard
Photograph by Keith Gillard
The visitors almost drew level in the 21st minute when Evie Gane’s cross found Nadine Hanssen and her strike was superbly kept out by Charlton keeper Katie Startup.
The Addicks were then gifted a second when Gane’s backpass was seized upon by Graham, who rounded Rogers before squaring the ball for Bryan to tap in from a couple of yards out.
Villa pressed for a way back in the game with Jodie Hutton firing a wonderful long-range effort just over before Hanssen struck wide just before half-time.
Charlton came within a whisker of adding a third when Graham shrugged off Hollie Gibson in the penalty area before shooting against the underside of the bar.
Photograph by Keith Gillard
Photograph by Keith Gillard
Photograph by Keith Gillard
Charlotte Gurr was then denied by a terrific save from Rogers halfway through the second half before the Charlton sub dragged an effort wide after a flowing move.
Graham said: “It was obviously a tough test for us, but it was good to come out and work as hard as we did, as a team, and get the win that we deserved.
“We’re still working on things, but going forward, I think we look sharp and we’re working on combinations. There were some good finishes.
“I’ve obviously played with Gemma [Bryan] before in the past and having her back over obviously benefits me because she’s a runner and I get to feed her.
“We do work quite well together and it’s about making that combination sharp again.
“For her second goal, I just heard a little shout and had a look and saw she was probably in a better position than me, with me on my right foot.
“It’s nice to just win, really – I don’t care if I score or not and it was good to get the assist.”
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Photograph by Keith Gillard
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