A spirited showing by West Ham United Ladies was not enough to stop the Charlton Athletic juggernaut with the home side falling to a 6-0 defeat.
The home team showed heart and passion in a difficult night at Rush Green as the Southern Division league leaders continued their 100% winning run at the expense of our Ladies side.
Three goals in the first period were followed by another three in the second and, if not for some brave defending and organisation, there may have been more.
The home team were able to create chances but were unable to find the net in a difficult fixture.
Despite starting the game strongly and looking lively the Ladies found themselves a goal behind early on. A Charlton set-piece was passed sideways, from which a swerving long-ranged effort found the net.
The away team had two not long later after a through-pass set up a one-on-one situation, from which they scored again.
The West Ham Ladies created chances of their own however and impressed with some fluid passing and their technical organisation. Julie Melfald was particularly lively in attack, attempting a shot on the turn which went just over the bar, and also linking play excellently with the wingers.
Unfortunately, Charlton found a third before half-time after a burst of pace on the wing, from which the ball was played into the area for a straightforward tap-in.
Despite their deficit the West Ham Ladies can take consolation in a spirited and resolved second half showing, with Greg De Carnys’s side looking a more compact unit after the break.
Chlloe Burr had an opportunity to get the Hammers on the scoresheet but her free-kick was just over the bar, while Mollie Kmita continued to be a pest for the Charlton defence on the right-flank.
The damage had been done however by Charlton and the away side added a fourth after catching the West Ham Ladies on the counter. The build-up had a whiff of offside but the linesman ruled that the Addicks had beaten West Ham’s trap, allowing them to slot home.
Charlton would make it five on the counter once again as another low ball into the area once again evaded the West Ham defenders, with a chipped finish beating Cherie Rowlands, before adding their sixth in the final minutes of the game.
West Ham United Ladies: Rowlands; Kmita, Wheeler, Auguste, Austin; Mabey, Cooper, Burr; Wealthall, Melfald (Bent), Ezekiel-Meade (Peters)
Subs not used: Mackie, Chong, Brown