We will be looking to bounce back from our first defeat of the season when we host Charlton Athletic in the Continental Tyres Cup on Wednesday night.
THE STORY SO FAR
After winning 11 consecutive games in all competitions, Joe Montemurro’s side were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
However, we remain at the top of the table - and we’re also leading Group D in the Conti Cup, having picked up two wins from our two outings in the competition so far.
We ran out 3-1 winners over West Ham on the opening day of the season thanks to strikes from Katie McCabe and Beth Mead, before thrashing Lewes 9-0 away from home.
Vivianne Miedema and Kim Little both scored hat-tricks, while McCabe, Danielle van de Donk and Lisa Evans also found the back of the net.
West Ham United are currently level with us on points, but we boast the better goal difference and have the advantage of a game in hand.
THE OPPOSITION
Charlton Athletic are currently third in Group D having picked up one win from two fixtures - but they’ll be full of confidence after winning seven of their last 10 league outings.
The Addicks are second in the FA Women’s Championship having slipped to defeat just twice all season - and they remain just three points behind league leaders Manchester United.
They kicked off their Continental Tyres Cup campaign with a 5-0 loss to Lewes, but they bounced back the following weekend with a 4-2 win over Millwall.
Elizabeta Ejupi is the Addicks’ greatest goal threat, having scored eight times so far.
THE MANAGER’S NOTES
“Charlton are currently second in the Championship table and I’m sure that they’ll be an organised unit that look to frustrate us,” said Montemurro.
“Mentally we’ve got to treat it like any other game, but we will be resting some key players and giving minutes to a lot of the younger players too, so it’s a great opportunity for them. I want to see how well they adapt to our side tactically and whether they have the quality to be senior players in the future.”
ONE TO WATCH
Beth Mead will be full of confidence on Wednesday night after being voted Women’s Player of the Year by the Football Supporters Federation.
The 23-year-old has scored three goals and assisted six times in the WSL this season, but she’s yet to open her account in the Continental Tyres Cup.
Capable of playing out wide or through the middle, Mead is always looking to make runs into the box to support her strike partner – and when the ball falls to her right foot, it often ends up in the back of the net.
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