This Week's Opposition: Charlton Athletic Women

Pompey's first opponents of the 2024/25 Barclays Women's Championship season are picked apart by Kirsty Roxanne.

Last season’s 2nd placed side Charlton Athletic await at The Valley for matchday number 1.

MANAGER

Karen Hills is at the helm for The Addicks.

The former player was scouted by Watford at the age of 18 and she was deployed as a forward, scoring a hattrick on her debut before moving back into midfield and eventually into defence. She later moved to Wembley Mill Hill, where she served as captain.

Hills joined top flight Charlton Athletic for the 2001/02 FA Women’s Premier League season - With Charlton, she reached the FA Cup final 4 times in 5 years, winning once when they beat Everton in 2005.

She started her managerial career at Tottenham Hotspur, where she was already working as the club’s women’s and girl’s development officer.

Over the next decade, Hills oversaw a series of promotions as the club developed into a full-time professional Super League outfit, playing in front of record-breaking grounds.

In March 2021, Hills was appointed manager of FA Women’s Championship side Charlton Athletic.

ONE TO WATCH

Carla Humphrey, who wears the number 8 shirt, is our one to watch on this occasion.

Humphrey signed her first professional contract with Arsenal in February 2015. After a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers Belles, she returned to Arsenal for the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series.

Humphrey also played for the likes of Bristol City and Liverpool. Whilst at Liverpool she helped the club to gain promotion back to the Women’s Super League in her first season.

In August 2023, Humphrey signed a 2-year deal with Charlton.

At the 2023/24 End of Season Awards, Humphreys was crowned Women’s Player of the Year following an impressive campaign, in which the midfielder scored 3 goals and played a key role in The Addick’s early season success.

TOP SCORER

The Addicks’ top goalscorer from last season was Kayleigh Barton, formally known as Kayleigh Green.

The Welsh international began her career at Cardiff City before joining Yeovil Town in 2016. In 2018, Barton joined WSL 1 side Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom she made 110 appearances over a 5-year stint, becoming The Seagulls’ all time WSL appearance maker.

Barton developed a habit of scoring in vital moments for The Addicks, including a 100th minute equaliser against Durham in October, a stoppage-time winner against Lewes in November and the only goal in a victory over Sunderland on the penultimate day of last season to keep Charlton’s hopes of winning promotion alive at the time.

The forward wears the number 15 shirt and netted 9 goals in all competitions last campaign.

CURRENT FORM

Charlton finished 2nd last season after accumulating 45 points, only 1 point behind league winners Crystal Palace, who were subsequently promoted to the WSL.

They recorded 4 wins from their last 5 matches in the Championship.

The Addicks’ final pre-season test ended 2-2 with Aston Villa Ladies, thanks to goals from Ellie Brazil and Kayleigh Barton.

The last time these sides met was back in the Women’s South Conference League where the score ended Charlton 1, Pompey 0.

Can the Blues secure 3 points from their first league game in the Barclays Women’s Championship?

Tune in for all of the action as Portsmouth embark on life in the 2nd tier of Women's football this Sunday (September 8th) afternoon from 1pm - A Pompey Live team consisting of Henry Deacon, Matt Drabble and Kirsty Roxanne will be reporting LIVE from The Valley and providing exclusive match commentary for Express FM.

Kick-off: 2pm!