Written by Matt Brown
📸 @bbcsport
Sophie Whitehouse saved an incredible four penalties in the first-ever WSL/WSL2 play-off as Charlton Athletic beat Leicester City via a penalty shootout to secure a place in next season’s WSL.
Charlton had narrowly missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the regular season following a 2-0 home defeat to eventual champions Birmingham City. The Addicks had started the day at the top of the table but ultimately finished third, behind the aforementioned Birmingham and Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, it has been a dismal campaign for Leicester. The Foxes picked up just nine points all year, finishing rock bottom of the WSL.
A New Format and Early Team News
As of next season, the WSL will expand to feature 14 teams rather than the current 12. Because of this, two sides from WSL2 were promoted automatically (Birmingham and Palace), while it was decided that the third-placed finishers would face the top tier's bottom club in a historic play-off match to decide the final spot for the new campaign.
The early team news revealed that Charlton were without Charlotte Newsham, who suffered an ACL injury on the final day of the season. Meanwhile, Leicester were missing Alisha Lehmann due to an alleged calf injury. Controversially, Lehmann was voted Leicester’s Fans' Player of the Season despite making just nine appearances and only completing a full 90 minutes twice.
Chances at Both Ends
Charlton started brightly and played with real confidence, moving the ball from side to side and applying early pressure.
Despite the hosts' positive start, it was actually Leicester who had the first real chance to take the lead, but Jutta Rantala could only fire her effort high and wide. The Finn soon had another good opportunity from range, but it resulted in a comfortable save for Sophie Whitehouse.
The home side began to regain momentum and carved out two great chances of their own. First, Lucy Fitzgerald tried her luck from distance, sending a shot narrowly wide, before Emma Bissell did the same after a brilliant piece of build-up play.
Rantala was soon involved again, this time forcing a spectacular save from Whitehouse to keep the score level heading into half-time.
Rising Tension in the Second Half
The second half started with an early chance for the hosts when defender Lucia Lobato headed over from a corner. Charlton continued to apply pressure and came close again, this time via a long-range effort from Ellie Mason that drifted wide.
Under pressure, Leicester turned to their bench, introducing the experienced Ashleigh Neville. The 33-year-old defender made an immediate impact, forcing another sharp save from Whitehouse.
As the half wore on, the difference in leagues began to show. Charlton started to look increasingly lethargic, while Leicester’s substitutions injected fresh energy into their search for a breakthrough.
Ellie Mason nearly won it late on when her cross-turned-shot almost ended up in the back of the net, but normal time ended with the two sides deadlocked.
Extra-Time Drama
Extra time saw chances for both sides. Katie Lockwood couldn’t convert a late opportunity for the hosts, and Leicester simply couldn’t find a way past Whitehouse, who produced yet another brilliant stop.
The key moment, however, came early in the first period of extra time. Lockwood struck the underside of the bar from long range before Lobato swept home the rebound—only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
The Shootout Heroics
And so, it went to penalties.
Emily van Egmond stepped up first for Leicester, only to see her penalty saved by Whitehouse. At the other end, Katie Bradley had her effort saved by Katie Keane to keep the scores level. Shannon O’Brien was the next to be denied by Whitehouse before Amalie Thestrup put Charlton ahead.
Olivia McLoughlin levelled for Leicester, and hope was renewed for the Foxes when Lucy Fitzgerald was denied. However, Heather Payne stepped up next, and Whitehouse once again kept the effort out.
Ellie Mason buried her penalty to put the Addicks back in front, meaning Noémie Mouchon had to score or it was game over. Whitehouse, having already saved three penalties, made it an unbelievable four out of five by denying Mouchon.
Just like that, it was game over. Charlton won 2-1 on penalties to claim their seat at the top table next season. Meanwhile, Leicester drop into WSL2 and remain without a competitive win in 2026 (suffering 13 losses from 13 games).
Historical Contrast
It has been a brutal period for Foxes fans. First, the men’s side were relegated from the Championship into League One—exactly ten years after their miraculous Premier League title win. Now, the women’s team have also suffered the drop.
In contrast, it is a remarkable redemption story for Charlton Athletic. The side famously won the Women’s FA Cup in 2005 but were controversially disbanded in 2007 after the men’s side were relegated from the Premier League (though they were later rescued). Now, they return to the top flight where they feel they belong, and will be relishing the chance to welcome the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal back to The Valley next season.
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