Charlton Athletic continue promotion push with victory at Durham | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic have boosted their Barclays Women’s Championship title hopes with a 1-0 victory over Durham at Maiden Castle this afternoon.

Defender Elisha N’Dow headed in the only goal of the game early in the first half as Karen Hills’ side applied pressure to promotion rivals Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

Charlton Athletic started the game on the front-foot and they were ahead after just six minutes. The Addicks were awarded a free-kick which was delivered to the back post. The ball was played back across goal for N’Dow to head home from a couple of yards.

Durham looked to respond quickly and Lily Crosthwaite saw a shot deflect wide before Becky Salicki tested visiting keeper Jess Gray from the resulting corner.

The remainder of the first half was hard-fought but quality chances were in short supply with neither keeper being severely tested.

The second half was equally as starved of clear goalscoring opportunities. Charlton Athletic almost doubled their lead midway through the half but Kayleigh Barton couldn’t get contact on a ball which was played to her in the centre of the box.

At the other end, visiting keeper Gray was left untroubled until the final stages of the match when she made a fine save to deny Beth Hepple who crept in to meet a ball at the back post.

Durham threw bodies forward late on in a bid to find an equaliser and they nearly got it through Crosthwaite but her effort was cleared off the line. Gray then made a superb stop to deny Amy Andrews as the visitors held on for the three points.

This afternoon’s result sees Charlton Athletic move to within a point of Barclays Women’s Championship leaders Sunderland while Durham remain in mid-table.