SO INCREDIBLE: This weekend marks the return of Spurs legend and current Charlton Athletic manager and…
This weekend marks the return of Spurs legend and current Charlton Athletic manager Karen Hills to Brisbane Road on Sunday, as she aims to secure a spot in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals. Hills is seeking to guide the Addicks into the WSL, with Charlton leading the highly competitive Women’s Championship by a two-point margin. Their upcoming match is against a Spurs squad that emerged victorious in the previous round against Championship team Sheffield United, thanks to two goals from skipper Beth England, who came off the bench to score twice in 11 minutes. Although the game seemed destined for extra time, Rosella Ayanne’s 96th-minute winner prevented Spurs from exiting the competition. Spurs, having not won in three games, faced defeats from Manchester City and were knocked out of the Conti Cup, along with a draw against Liverpool at Prenton Park.
Charlton enters the game following a 1-1 draw with Lewes, where Tegan McGowan’s 79th-minute header secured a point for the Addicks. In their last FA Cup match, Charlton convincingly defeated Ipswich Town 4-1, overcoming an early one-goal lead from Sophie Peskett. Melissa Johnson scored twice in the first half, and Freya Godfrey calmly converted a penalty just before halftime.
The only competitive encounter between these two teams occurred over three years ago in 2021, with Jiali Tang scoring the only goal for Spurs in the 51st minute. In a friendly match played in early January, Karen Hills’ side showcased their capabilities against the WSL outfit. Mary Bashford, an Addicks Academy graduate, scored Charlton’s only goal, with Jess Naz and Ellie Brazil finding the net for the hosts. Despite Spurs initially taking the lead, Charlton displayed their prowess as Naz equalized with a skillful strike, followed by a second goal from Ellie Brazil, showcasing outstanding creative play on the left wing. Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn emphasized the need for a professional mindset going into the upcoming game, acknowledging Charlton’s potential for promotion to the WSL next year.
