Charlton have 'another bite of the cherry' in play-off
[Getty Images] Charlton Athletic manager Karen Hills says the squad have "another bite of the cherry" to try to gain promotion to the Women's Super League. Her side face Leicester City in a first-ever WSL play-off match at The Valley on Saturday (12:30 BST) with the winner gaining top-tier status. Leicester City finished bottom of the WSL with just two wins from their 22 matches, while Charlton finished two points off winners Birmingham City in the second tier.
The Addicks entered the final game leading the table, but a 2-0 loss against the Blues meant they fell to third and were leapfrogged by Crystal Palace. "It was a tough way to end what's been a remarkable season and it took a couple of days to digest the disappointment," said Hills. "It was just processing how everyone felt and then coming back in with a fresh, open mind and a focus on what can still be an unbelievable end to this season.
" Scotland international Charlotte Newsham picked up an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the defeat by Birmingham City and will miss the play-off. That is a blow, but Charlton have the league's best goalkeeper in their ranks with Sophie Whitehouse claiming the Golden Glove trophy at the WSL Football awards. "We're confident.
We've got to be. We've had a lot of self-belief this season," added Hills. "If we can put the ingredients together again for one last game, I think we stand a really good chance so I'm full of confidence.
" Leicester are fighting for survival in the WSL but for Charlton, it is an opportunity to reach the top tier for the first time in their history. The play-off game was introduced as part of expansion plans that will see the WSL grow from 12 to 14 teams next season. "We can big it up all we want and make it the most exciting game, and rightly so.