Report by Colin Robertson

Toni Alden and Emma Tune returned to action but Yasmin Poole remained out for the final fixture. Grace Coombs playing again at Right Back.

It was a great start to the second-half, Kristina Manteklow sent a cross from the left flank for which, Tune, Bryan and the Palace defence committed but the ball deflected and fell to Sherwood on the right outside the box. She controlled the ball neatly, turning with her back to goal to strike in the 46th. The ball beat Palace keeper Sharp, landing elegantly in the top right corner.

After an even start in the first half, the game had been swinging Charlton’s way with the woodwork at both ends seeing plenty of action.

On 50 minutes, the lively Sherwood delivered a ball from the right which found Manteklow who laid into Tune in the box. The plucky midfielder, made great footwork to avoid oncoming challenges and finished with confidence on her left foot with power.

The sun was still shining when Bryan latched onto a well timed, channel ball in the 61st; her pace took her one-on-one with Sharp. She played the ball round the keeper only to be tripped, though she Valiantly tried to remain on her feet. A Crystal Palace defender raced to catch the goal bound ball but couldn’t stop it crossing the line.

That effectively sealed the match. Sherwood forced a good save on 65 minutes and Bryan was content to keep running at the defence. Palace’s Sherelle Walters raced through in the 70th but shot wide under pressure from the Addicks centre backs. Charlton’s defence second half was very tight.

Their biggest scare was in the 28th when Ellie Bracey  went in on goal from a counter attack but her effort only made the post. The attack had come after attacking pressure from Charlton when seconds earlier Grace Coombs had crashed her effort off the bar, in the box for a corner.

Gemma Bryan also hit the post in the 17th minute, creating her own opportunity with some typically strong centre forward play in the box after linking with Tune.

Technical Director, Paul Mortimer was happy: “They played really well. At half time I actually challenged them to go on and score and they did.”

Reflecting on the season he said: “We do not concede goals but we need to score more goals for the chances we create.”

If the team can do that would it would certainly make them a fearsome force, their possession play is always strong.

Bemused by the slow start to the season which he puts down to confidence Mortimer is very encouraged by the strong finish for which, he is delighted. Looking to bring some experience to the side over the summer he said: “I think we’ll be the team to beat next year.”

Charlton: Lynch, Coombs, Alden, Clifford (Hardaker 82mins), Patel, Flack (Capt), Sherwood (Newman 72), Tune, Bryan, Manteklow (Duffy 87mins), Duggan.