Charlton Athletic Ladies 1-2 West Ham United Ladies
Goodmove.co.uk Women's Cup final, The Mill Field, Aveley, Wednesday 4 April 2018
West Ham United Ladies claimed the Goodmove.co.uk Women’s Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic Ladies.
Despite going behind early on to a Kit Graham finish, wonder strikes from Andria Georgiou and Molly Clark secured a fifth consecutive win for the Irons, and a first piece of silverware since the team was brought in-house.
It was a game the Hammers dominated in terms of chances, with Rosie Kmita and Eliie Zoepfl also both hitting the bar for Karen Ray’s side.
It took just four minutes for the first goal of the contest to be scored. It was Charlton’s first attack of the game, with top scorer Graham sweeping home after some miscommunication in the Irons’ box.
Just seconds before it was the Hammers that came close to opening the scoring. Vice-captain Rosie Kmita hit the cross-bar, having evaded Charlton’s defence, but the missed effort proved costly as the Addicks netted on the counter attack.
Despite going behind West Ham looked the livelier of the two teams, although Charlton’s counter was always a threat. Ellie Zoepfl also struck the crossbar with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, while a cross almost deceived goalkeeper Gardner and looked close to sneaking in at the far post.
A lobbed strike from Kmita had the attending crowd gasping, and Charlton’s shot-stopper flapping, but the fabulous effort was just wide. But, with just moments left of the opening period, Georgiou struck.
The midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the area and bended in a sensational shot, which found the back of the net via the underside of the woodwork, sending the Hammers in level at half-time.
West Ham started the second period with the same tenacity as the first period, and came close to getting another through a Zoepfl effort.
Clark almost gave the side the lead on 67 minutes with a looping effort, but made no mistake three minutes later, as the midfielder superbly struck home from a set-piece.
The free-kick swerved past Gardner and nestled into the corner, putting the Irons in front with 20 minutes remaining.
Despite pressure from Charlton, Ray’s team were able to hang on and claim an incredible final victory. The celebrations at the end of the contest continued despite the rain, with West Ham Ladies lifting the trophy in front of the applauding supporters.
West Ham United Ladies: Connatser; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste; Clark, Georgiou, Stobbs (c); Zoepfl, Wealthall (Mabey 90+1), Kmita
Subs not used: Chong, Dunning, Lancaster, Vyan Sampson
Goals: Georgiou 45+3. Clark 70’