City brush aside bottom side to stay top of table
NATASHA FLINT AND REMI ALLEN ON TARGET AS LEICESTER SECURE AWAY WIN IN CAPITAL
NATASHA Flint and Remi Allen kept Leicester at the top of the FA Women’s Championship table as the Foxes secured an impressive away win at struggling Charlton, writes Caleb Hugill of Sportsbeat.
Ella Rutherford was sent off in the first half for the league’s bottom side and while the Addicks fought valiantly throughout, goals either side of half time from Flint and Allen maintained Leicester’s flying start to the season.
Jonathan Morgan’s side got off to a bright start at VCD Athletic as the lively Paige Bailey-Gayle went close early on.
And the Foxes continued their early dominance as Flint soon fired over Eartha Cumings’ goal from range.
Charlton were forced to defend resiliently throughout the opening period as Leicester continued to knock on the door, with Charlie Devlin and Flint also going close as the first half progressed.
The key turning point came on 34 minutes, however, when Rutherford – booked just 60 seconds before – received a second yellow card for another foul on Devlin.
Leicester made their numerical advantage pay just five minutes later when the dangerous Flint rifled home a rocket into the corner to put the Foxes in front.
The visitors took that lead into the break but Charlton rallied admirably after the interval, with Charley Clifford producing a big save from Leicester goalkeeper Kirstie Levell.
Riteesh Mishra’s side continued to push for an equaliser but it was Leicester who always looked closest to grabbing the game’s second goal, as Lachante Paul and substitute Millie Farrow both had chances.
And the visitors wrapped the game up with Allen’s header from an excellent Devlin cross.
Charlton (3-4-3): Eartha Cumings; Rachel Newborough, Olivia Smith,
Beth Roe; Lois Heuchan, Alice Griffiths, Charley Clifford (c), Ciara Watling; Ellie Dorey, Jess King, Ella Rutherford
Substitutes: Charlotte Gurr for Griffiths 65’, Shauna Vassell for Watling 80’
Substitutes not used: Jamie Gotch, Simone Eligon, Beth Lumsden, Kara Fordjour
Bookings: Rutherford, 33’, 34’
Red cards: Rutherford 34’
Leicester City (4-3-3): Kirstie Levell; Libby Smith, Samantha Tierney, Ashleigh Plumptre, Esmee de Graaf;
Sophie Barker (c), Remi Allen, Charlie Devlin; Paige Bailey-Gayle, Lachante Paul, Natasha Flint
Substitutes: Sophie Howard for Smith 61’, Millie Farrow for Flint 66’, Olivia Fergusson for Devlin 84’, Lia Cataldo for De Graaf 84’, Annabel Blanchard for Paul 84’ Substitutes not used: Grace Riglar, Aimee Everett, Jess Camwell, Freya Thomas
Goals: Flint 39’, Allen 78’
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