Charlton 3 (Neville 17 39, Humphrey 48) Wolves 1 (Daniëls 85)
Wolves Women concluded their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Charlton Athletic at The Valley but created many positive moments throughout the game.
After a double from Ashleigh Neville before the interval and a third goal from Carla Humphrey, Dan McNamara’s side got their reward in the 85th minute after Yana Daniëls tapped in from a yard out.
Despite a positive start from Wolves, it was Charlton who had the first shot of the game as Jodie Hutton’s low effort forced Emily Orman into a comfortable save down to her left.
As the hosts began to control possession of the game, the Addicks made the breakthrough in the 17th minute after a cross found an unmarked Neville at the back post, who headed the ball into the bottom corner.
The pressure continued as Charlton had an excellent opportunity to double their lead as Kiera Skeels glanced her header narrowly wide of the post.
However, chances from Olivia Francis and Chloe Williams drew two outstanding saves from Sophie Whitehouse as the Old Gold edged closer to an equaliser before the break.
Despite the pressure from the visitors, the Addicks were able to double the lead in the 39th minute as a cross from the left wing found Neville, who tapped the ball into an empty net for her second of the game.
Half Time: Charlton 2-0 Wolves
It did not take long for the hosts to add a third to their goal tally after an interception resulted in a turnover high up the pitch, which was passed to Humphrey. She powered her close range shot into the back of the goal.
As both teams made changes to give valuable minutes to their players, it was McNamara’s side who had a chance after the two substitutes Tammi George and Melissa Lawley combined, with the latter shooting straight at the Charlton goalkeeper.
Soon after, the Old Gold were able to break down the left-hand side as the ball fell to Amber Hughes, who forced Whitehouse into a good save down to her right.
It was Wolves who would come close again to a deserved goal after a corner was recycled and laid off into the path of Amy Sims, who saw her side-footed effort clip the top of the crossbar and go over the bar.
With five minutes to go, Daniëls was able to follow up after Sims clipped the inside of the post to bundle the ball in to trim the deficit.
Wolves' pre-season schedule has been brought to a close, with the next fixture their WSL 2 debut at Newcastle United next Sunday.
Full Time: Charlton 3-1 Wolves
Charlton: Whitehouse (GK), Mason, N’Dow, Davidson, Hutton, Flannery, Skeels, Siber, Van Egmond, Lobato, Neville
Subs: Koivunen (GK), Pedersen (GK), Johnston, Waldie, Fitzgerald, Lockwood, Azzaro, Partido, Humphrey, Boama, McAteer
Wolves: Orman (GK), Sims, Marshall (Jenner 58), Morphet, Roberts (Jones 82), Francis (Daniels 68), Olding (George 58), Williams, Worsey (Lawley 68), Filis (Hughes 58), Greengrass (Anderson 82)
Subs: Brooks (GK)
