Follis’s last-gasp header secured three points for Addicks in 2-1 win over Bristol City

By Football Reporter

Charlton Ath 2 v Bristol City 1

Emma Follis’ last-gasp header earned Charlton Athletic all three points as they edged past FA Women’s Championship rivals Bristol City 2-1 at The Oakwood.

The Charlton striker headed home Megan Wynne’s cross barely a minute after Wynne looked to have thrown away the victory when she blasted over with the goal at her mercy.

It clinched a dramatic win for the Addicks, who maintained their 100 percent record at home this season, but only after being pushed to the limit by City.

They had made a fast start with Follis taking advantage of a poor back pass from Ffion Morgan to slide the ball past Fran Bentley after Anna Filbey’s raking pass.

Bentley had to be alert as Charlton pressed for a second, but just before half-time, the visitors drew level with a brilliant individual goal.

Abi Harrison showed stunning footwork on the byline to slip past a defender before blasting the ball past Eartha Cummings.

The second half was played at great intensity, with City pushing hard for a second.

It was Charlton who actually got the ball into the net with 20 minutes to go, but Kiera Skeels was flagged offside.

That appeared to give them the momentum, and Bentley had to be alert when Sophie Quirk fired a curling shot towards the top corner.

Cummings was on hand to stop Aimee Palmer’s effort from the edge of the box before Wynne failed to keep her composure after Follis had pulled the ball back to her in space just outside the six-yard box, skying her shot.

She made amends immediately after though, receiving the ball on the right of the penalty area and lifting it across for Follis to head home to snatch the points in dramatic fashion.

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Charlton Athletic: Eartha Cummings, Rachel Newborough, Anna Filbey, Elise Hughes, Lois Roche, Beth Roe, Kiera Skeels, Hannah Godfrey, Mia Ross, Megan Wynne, Emma Follis

Substitutes: Ella Rutherford for Roche 59’, Sophie Quirk for Hughes 63’, Vyan Sampson for Godfrey 72’

Substitutes not used: Sophie Hillyerd, Hollie Olding, Jess King, Elisha Sulola, Lois Heuchan

Goals: Emma Follis 8, 90+3

Bristol City: Fran Bentley, Lia Cataldo, Satara Murray, Brooke Aspin, Ffion Morgan, Aimee Palmer, Ava Kuyken, Jesse Woolley, Aggie Beever-Jones, Melissa Johnson, Abi Harrison

Substitutes: Jasmine Bull for Woolley 81’

Substitutes not used: Sophie Whitehouse, Ella Powell, Naomi Layzell, Simran Jhamat, Chloe O’Connor, Flo Allen, Gwen Davies, Maddi Wilde, Lily Greenslade

Goals: Abi Harrison 45

Bristol City manager Lauren Smith: “It was a well-fought game. It did seem like at the game that it was going to be someone's. Unfortunately it fell to them. In the first and second half we played well, we created, we matched them and did better than them. So it's a tough game, they are a tough opposition. We're so gutted because we felt like we had it.

“We created loads, Mel in particular got on the ball in really good areas. We're pleased with everything they tried to do.”