Shootout win for our Women’s Under-19s at Charlton

Our Women’s Under-19s earned a bonus point in the Professional Game Academy League after a penalty shootout success at Charlton Athletic on Wednesday following a 2-2 draw in normal time.

After Rania Oukriss had fired us ahead following a fantastic team move just before the half-hour mark, the hosts hit back minutes into the second period before Darcy Marks handed them the lead as we entered the final 20 minutes.

Then, with 13 minutes left on the clock, Poppy Neill struck a stunning effort to level – her second goal in three games. We went on to squander further chances in the closing stages as we had to settle for a point and a subsequent penalty shootout followed.

Sophie Jackson reignited her shootout heroics, saving the Addicks’ first two spot-kicks, and, although Lucy Barraclough was denied, we calmly converted to win 4-2 and secure an extra point in the league to extend our unbeaten run to five games.

Eloise Summers-Mee, who made her returned to the starting XI after missing out in last week’s win over Newcastle United due to an injury, forced Maisie Johnson into a low save down to her left while, at the other end, Jackson produced a strong one-handed save to keep out Mia Harvey’s fierce shot as the opportunities began to follow after a slow opening quarter-of-an-hour.

Forward Eloise was through once again, this time after a perfect ball over the top from Holly-Mae Elmes, but she was denied at the front post by Johnson but, on 29 minutes, we found the breakthrough. Elmes with a lovely ball into feet of Bellwood, who produced a clever flick around to set Oukriss and she calmly slotted away for her second of the season.

Chances were few and far between until the final seconds of the first half when Grace Breen’s free-kick, from around 30 yards out, went narrowly wide, but maintained a one-goal lead at the break. However, just three minutes after the restart, we were punished for a mistake in our half, McMahon regaining possession about 25 yards out and clipping the ball over Jackson and into the back of the net.

Renee Johnson headed over from a corner as the hosts look to capitalise on a strong start to the second half while Elmes was inches away from reinstating our lead when her flick, facing away from goal, landed just on top of the netting. Marks should have put the Addicks ahead on 68 minutes when a low ball across the box found the forward in the middle of the area, but she blasted a first time effort over the bar.

But, a minute later, Marks made no mistake this time around as, after excellent work from Harvey to keep the ball alive on the right, Isla Sullivan spotted Marks in the centre of the area and she converted into the back of the net. Then, with 13 minutes remaining of time, Neill brought us back level with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box. On the far left, Neill advanced inside on to her right and struck a right-footed curling effort into the top far corner.

We then had the opportunities to go on to win the game in normal time as Hills and Bellwood were cancelled out by some strong saves by Johnson in the closing minutes as the Charlton shot stopper ensured both sides settled for a draw in the league, extending our run to five games without a less, while we would then head into a subsequent penalty shootout for a bonus point.

Having produced the heroics earlier this month at London City Lionesses, where Jackson saved all three spot-kicks, our young shot stopper was in inspired form once again, denying the hosts’ first two penalties, pushing the second spot-kick on to the bar. Although Barraclough saw her effort saved and Charlton scoring their next two, we calmly converted our remaining spot-kicks to earn a 4-2 win in the shootout.

Penalty shootout takers

Spurs – Oukriss – scored

Charlton – Amelia Craig-Lucking – saved

Spurs- Elmes – scored

Charlton – Marks – saved

Spurs- Barraclough – saved

Charlton – Sullivan – scored

Spurs – Gaitely – scored

Charlton – Georgia Craig-Lucking – scored

Spurs – Hills - scored

Match data

Goals: Charlton - McMahon 48, Marks 68; Spurs - Oukriss 29, Neill 77.

Yellow cards: Gaitely 79.

Venue: Sparrow Lane.

Weather: Spells of rain, hail and sun, six degrees.