Durham have returned to winning ways in the FA Women’s Championship with a gritty 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at Maiden Castle.
In a game of few quality goalscoring chances, Kathryn Hill fired Durham into an early lead before Beth Hepple netted from the penalty spot in the second half.
Durham took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes in the North East when a corner kick from the right found Hill and she impressively rifled her effort across goal and into the far corner of the net.
Chances were at a premium in a keenly contested first half but Durham will have wondered how they didn’t go into the break two goals to the good. Abby Holmes saw an effort cleared off the line with Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Eartha Cumings stranded before Lauren Briggs’ shot from the rebound was bravely blocked.
The Wildcats were given a golden opportunity to double their lead in the second half when Charlton Athletic defender Hannah Godfrey was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. The decision seemed harsh but Durham took full advantage with Hepple striking the ball home from the spot.
Godfrey then headed wide from a free-kick for Charlton Athletic before Durham had appeals for another penalty waved away when Holmes went down in the box.
Hill went close to scoring her second goal and Durham’s third late on after connecting with a corner kick while an Ella Rutherford free-kick rattled the frame of the goal at the other end. Durham ended the match 2-0 winners to add fuel to their promotion push in the FA Women’s Championship.