It’s the latest review of the past week. This one includes Charlton Women’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City and any other news concerning Charlton Athletic.
Manchester City goalkeeper Eartha Cumings comes under pressure from a Charlton corner in the first half during Saturday’s WSL match at The Valley/Picture: Keith Gillard
Greg Docherty’s final appearance for Charlton - the 5-1 EFL Cup defeat to Tottenham/Picture: Kyle Andrews
No remedy yet for Doc
When Greg Docherty’s contract was mutually terminated by Charlton at the end of the summer transfer window, this website expected him to quickly find a new club.
But a month later, the Addicks’ former club captain is still unattached.
What is more, there aren’t even that many rumours of a deal.
The Daily Record reported in mid-July that Docherty had interest from Leicester, Bolton, Blackburn and in the MLS. That story always felt like an agent plant.
It’s still a little strange that the 30-year-old, who made 39 Championship appearances last season, has not got himself fixed up.
Luke Berry (below) is in the same boat.
The former Luton Town player was released by Charlton at the end of the last campaign. Berry, 34, came on for the final 15 minutes of the 3-1 loss at Swansea City on May 5.
Hills: That’s best my team has played since promotion
Karen Hills felt that Charlton put in their best display of the WSL season in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at The Valley.
The Addicks are still pointless since promotion but had more big chances (two) than their opponents (one), who are the defending champions and have a perfect record in the league.
Alex Greenwood’s 36th-minute free-kick settled the match but it was really poor defending from Cassandra Korhonen, who ducked down to avoid the England international’s strike. Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse was unable to prevent the ball ending up tucked inside her left post.
There is no disputing that Charlton, bottom of the table, put in a much-improved display compared to their previous two fixtures in SE7.
Hawa Cissoko had a shot blocked as a couple of early Jodie Hutton corners caused problems for City and their goalkeeper Eartha Cumings, who used to play for the Addicks.
Cumings produced a one-handed save to deny Hutton, although her attempt looked to be a cross that nearly ended up in the top right corner of the net.
Cassandra Korhonen dips out of the way for City’s goal
Whitehouse made a double save early in the second half to frustrate Gracie Prior and Grace Clinton.
Charlton had another big chance on 65 minutes. Hutton’s cross perfectly picked out the run of Korhonen but the Swede could only direct her header straight at Cumings.
“I’m so proud of the players - we’ve had a tough start,” Hills told BBC Sport. “That was the best performance of the season.
“We knew set-pieces would be a huge chance for us. We were excellent in both boxes. We were unfortunate in our attacking and defended our box so well, our marking was very good.
“The next level for us is can we score at the other end now? Lorena (Azzaro) was very comfortable and good at holding the ball up, she needs to continue to get up to the speed of the game, which she is slowly doing.”
Asked if she was frustrated at Korhonen’s mistake, Hills said: “I haven’t actually seen it back.”
The Addicks lost 4-0 to Brighton in their first match in the Subway Players Cup, which took place at Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium, on Wednesday night.
There was a debut for goalkeeper Anna Koivunen. Olaug Tvdten scored twice for the hosts but also struck a penalty against the post.
Charlton play again in that competition on October 21 when Bristol City head to SE7.
TC subbed off early in Jamaica victory
Tyreece Campbell collected his ninth cap for Jamaica as he started in their 3-2 win against Guatemala.
But the Charlton winger only played the opening 45 minutes of the Concacaf Nations League fixture before being replaced by Renaldo Cephas, who scored the stoppage-time winner.
I watched the final minutes of the first half on YouTube, to see whether Campbell’s withdrawal was injury related. The winger appeared to be moving freely, so fingers crossed the change was purely tactical.
The Reggae Boyz play again on Tuesday, home to Honduras.
Conor Coventry featured for the final 10 minutes in Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 loss to Kosovo in the UEFA Nations League. They are set to play again this evening in Israel (7.45pm).
Arthur Okonkwo was an unused substitute as Nigeria won 2-1 against Madagascar in their opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Timothy Ouma started in Kenya’s 1-1 draw against Eritrea in the same competition. He was subbed off in the 65th minute.
Ivan Mesik was not in Slovakia’s squad for their 2-0 win over Moldova on Saturday night.
Young defender earns first England recognition
Ayden Minto-St Aimie made his England U17 debut in their 5-1 win over Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
The highly-rated Charlton Athletic defender replaced Emmanuel Fejokwu in the 64th minute of the match, held at St George’s Park.
England play Israel tomorrow, their first fixture in a three-match tournament in Wedau, Germany. England also have matches against Venezuela and the hosts.
Alan Mwamba/Picture: Paul Edwards
Mwamba: Coming on against West Ham was life-changing
Alan Mwamba has described his first Championship appearance as feeling like he was “in a movie”.
The 20-year-old midfielder came on in the 66th minute at London Stadium, replacing Sonny Carey. The crowd of 62,264 set a new record for the second tier since it was rebranded.
Mwamba, featured on Charlton Athletic’s YouTube account (the full interview is below), said: “Playing in front of that many people, it felt like I was in a movie - it was breath-taking. It was so mad.
“Even though I was in the squad, I didn’t expect to get on. To play in front of that many people, it was life-changing.”
Mwamba, raised in Forest Hill, was spotted while playing for Lewisham District. He had trials with Millwall and Fulham before joining the Addicks at the age of 12.
It was only when he got to 15 that he played in his favoured role of midfield, even though that had been his position prior to landing an apprenticeship.
“I told them (Charlton) I was a left-back,” he said. “I just thought it was the easy way out.”
Goalkeeper loan move to Shrimpers
Finley Woodham has joined Southend United on loan.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper has played for Charlton at U21 level.
“Southend are one of the biggest clubs at National League level, with a great fanbase and a really competitive first-team environment,” said Addicks’ head of individual development Dave Huzzey.
“The experience Fin will gain from being in and around that environment on a daily basis will be invaluable to his development.”
Woodham was named as a substitute for their 4-2 loss to Barrow on Saturday.
Jonny Williams is a signing coup for Spitfires
One of the nicest guys in football - Jonny Williams - has signed for Eastleigh.
The 32-year-old midfielder had been a free agent since leaving Gillingham at the end of last season.
“I’ve been with the PFA camp over the summer keeping fit,” said Williams, who made 60 appearances for Charlton. “I’m really looking forward to a new challenge.”
Eastleigh boss Matt Gray told BBC Radio Solent: “In the off-season, I don’t think we were in the picture to be his next club. As time’s gone on and the season started, it’s played into our hands a little bit to try to get him in.
“We saw on day one, the lads understand his history and career - three major tournaments for Wales is incredible. Sometimes a new signing can lift the tempo in training and energy around the group - certainly someone of Jonny’s class. It’s a big signing for us and we’re really pleased to have him for the rest of the season.”
Eastleigh, nicknamed the Spitfires, play in the National League. Williams made his debut in the second half as they were thumped 4-1 at Harrogate - a 502-mile round trip.
Lions next up for in-form U21s
Charlton U21s will look to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions when they host Millwall at The Valley on Tuesday (1pm).
The Addicks were 3-1 victors over Sheffield United in SE7 earlier this week. Junior Nkeng, signed from AFC Wimbledon last month, headed them in front.
Christopher Eadie made it 1-1 but Charlton, bossed by Chris Solly due to Chris Lock being away on England U18 duty, restored their lead in the 38th minute, Harvey Knibbs drove in a free-kick after poor goalkeeping from Benjamin Grainger.
Addicks goalkeeper Logan Williams saved Eadie’s 49th-minute penalty to deny the Blades another equaliser.
Reuben Reid made certain of the points with an excellent solo goal in the 82nd minute, cutting in off the left wing to curl beyond Grainger.
Josh Edwards, getting back his sharpness after being out for nearly a year with an ankle injury, played the opening 45 minutes.
Krystian Bielik (left) playing against Charlton earlier this month/Picture: Kyle Andrews
Bielik looks set for a suspension
Krystian Bielik has been charged with misconduct.
The FA claimed that the Cardiff City player “acted in an improper manner” in the 71st minute of their Championship match at Portsmouth.
Bielik was involved in an altercation with a fan as he looked to retrieve the match ball from a home section at Fratton Park.
The police investigated the incident but decided to take no action. They said: “After speaking with the complainant and reviewing all available evidence, the matter has been resolved by way of an out-of-court disposal, agreed by all parties involved. As part of this resolution, an apology has been provided by the player.
“The matter is now considered closed, and no further action will be taken in relation to this incident.”
Bielik, part of Lee Bowyer’s Charlton team that won the League One play-offs in 2019, had until September 25 to respond.
Recommended reading
Because it’s the international break, I thought I’d hyperlink to some of the articles which have gone up on the site over the past few months. So here we go:
Carla Humphrey’s journey back to competitive football following childbirth.
Mark Fish reflecting on his Charlton Athletic career and that 4-2 win at Highbury against Arsenal.
Click here for all of the archived feature interviews.
Berry was training with Swindon… I just think his body isn’t quite right… he was never quick but he’s lost a few steps with all of the injuries over the last few seasons. Odd that Doch doesn’t have a club, the Leicester link is pretty laughable though, he’s nowhere near technical enough to play for Martin. Would have thought a move to the MLS or back to Scotland would suit him.
Wild to think Mwamba is actually a year older than Micah, I liked the two videos the club did, showed them both to be well-spoken nice lads… nice to hear of more youth coming through and getting England youth call ups, the Stephen Avory production line is absolutely mad. Really like the idea of bringing in an experienced non league coach to the set up, adds a little professional experience to what they’re being taught.
Hopefully just tactical for Tyreece as you say, although it is fantastic for him personally that he seems to be the pick for Jamaica on that side.
Tough for Cov with everything going on with Ireland… a total and complete mess from top to bottom, really unfair on the players who have been left out to dry.
Why not get him back? We need his character as Club Captain who else is there to take the job???