Preview: Charlton Athletic (H).

Bristol City make their return to BS3 as they welcome league leaders Charlton Athletic to Ashton Gate on Sunday, March 22nd (2pm).

Charlotte Healy’s side are locked in a tight fight for promotion in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2, sitting four points behind Crystal Palace who occupy the play-off place, and five behind Birmingham City in the final automatic promotion spot with five games left to play.

The Robins fought back to get a well earned point away at Portsmouth last week, with goals from Jessie Gale and Rio Hardy securing a 2-2 draw at Westleigh Park.

Healy will be without Hardy for the visit of Charlton as she serves a one-game suspension for a late red card against Pompey.

OUR OPPONENTS: CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Charlton Athletic, under a number of different names, were one of the most successful sides in English women’s football in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

After the men’s team were relegated to the Championship in 2007, the women’s team was disbanded, before being given a lifeline in the form of a rescue sponsorship package which allowed them to continue under the stewardship of the club’s Community Trust.

Since promotion to the second tier in 2018, The Addicks have gone from strength to strength under Karen Hills, and are currently top of the WSL2, nine points clear of second, having gone 27 league games unbeaten until last week’s defeat to Portsmouth, a run spanning all the way back to last season.

Founded: 2000
Stadium: The Valley
Nickname: The Addicks
Manager: Karen Hills
Finish Last Season: 3rd

MATCH DETAILS

When: Sunday, March 22nd (2pm)
Where: Ashton Gate
Competition: Barclays Women’s Super League 2

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Kirsty Dowle
Assistant Referee: Dan Sykes
Assistant Referee: Zeyad Ahmed
Fourth Official: Pheobe Cross