There is much to look forward to for the Charlton women's team at the
moment.
Whether it's the clash with Doncaster Rovers Belles at the end of
the month, or the impending two Valley games against Arsenal and the
Belles over the next two months, it's an exciting time for the
Premier League table-topping Addicks.
But manager Keith Boanas will be aware that matches such as the
visit of bottom of the table Tranmere Rovers to Hayes Lane on Sunday
are just as important as the more high-profile encounters mentioned
above.
At least his players have managed to get a bit of rest this week.
The postponement of Charlton's away meeting with the Gunners was
called off at late notice probably to the disappointment of the
Addicks boss, who may have wanted to play the match when his side
were in-form.
But equally, following a period in which several players featured in
five matches in 15 days for club and country, the seven days between
this Sunday's match and Charlton's 7-0 Premier League Cup demolition
of Brighton last weekend will have been welcome indeed.
One incident which will not have been welcomed, however, was the
second-half dismissal of England striker Carmaine Walker against the
Seagulls, for dissent, after the referee ruled what would have been
her second goal of the game out for offside.
But while not approving of his player's conduct, Boanas was quick to
show sympathy with the forward.
"I thought the sending off was very harsh," he said.
"Week-in, week-out in the Premiership you see players swearing at
referees and getting away with it, so as far as I'm concerned it's
dual standards.
Carmaine swore when her goal was ruled out and she shouldn't have
done that, but she was swearing at the situation - not directly at
the referee. He still gave her a straight red though."
Along with Walker, also on target for the away side was defender
Eartha Pond, who celebrated her first ever goal for the club by
grabbing a second as well, and captain Casey Stoney, whose header
made it four goals in five games this season. Jo Broadhurst, Jess
Smith and Fara Williams completed the rout.
Added Keith:
"Perhaps we started out with a bit of complacency and cockiness, but
I had words with the girls at half-time and they were much sharper in
the second half.
In the end it could have been a bigger scoreline, but I can't be
unhappy with 7-0 even though I'm disappointed for Carmaine."
Before the match against Brighton, Boanas openly pondered whether he
was going to rest some of his players given their recent exertions.
Indeed, for the first time this season he altered his starting line-
up, with both Walker and Alexa Hunn dropping to the bench and
replaced by Emma Coss and Susan Rea, but Walker was still on the
pitch inside 15 minutes when Amanda Barr had to leave the field with
stomach pains.
Both newcomers impressed, particularly Coss who created two of the
goals from her defensive position and is presently enjoying her
longest spell at the club unaffected by injury.
But it would still be a surprise if it wasn't service as normal for
Sunday's Tranmere fixture, with Boanas reverting to the starting XI
that has recorded a 100 per cent record in the league thus far this
season.
Mid-table at the end of 2003/04, Rovers have made a disappointing
start to the current season and have yet to record a victory, or even
earn a point, in their opening three fixtures.
So it would be a major shock if Tranmere, who were beaten 2-0 by the
Addicks both times last season, took something away from Hayes Lane.
In Rovers' defence, Charlton were not the only team to score seven
goals last weekend, and Tranmere put seven past Watford in their own
first round tie in the Premier League Cup.
But Charlton are likely to provide much stronger opposition that the
Southern Division Hornets, and the home side will be boosted by
Rovers' league record this season, which reads played three, lost
three, with two goals scored and 14 conceded.
Even the two goals they scored arrived when they were on the wrong
end of a 9-2 drubbing by Arsenal in the opening game of the season,
and Rovers have since been beaten 2-0 by Doncaster Belles and,
worryingly, 3-0 by newly promoted Aston Villa.

[Womens Preview By Matt Wright]
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