COVENTRY United Ladies suffered their first defeat in this season’s Continental Cup after losing 3-1 away at Charlton Athletic at the Oakwood on Wednesday night.
Despite Olivia Fergusson’s strike on 16 minutes bringing the Red and Greens level – a first-half brace from Elise Hughes secured the points for Charlton.
Lois Roche had opened the scoring for the Addicks shortly before Fergusson’s equaliser as United lost for the first time in the competition this season.
The result means Coventry sit second in the group behind Women’s Super League side Tottenham Hotspur who thrashed Watford 11-0 in Group C’s other fixture.
And having beaten the Hornets 3-0 in their opening group game last month – United will have been hopeful of maintaining their perfect start against fellow Women’s Championship side Charlton.
However, the home side took the lead on 12 minutes when Roche finished into the bottom right corner past Coventry keeper Lucy Thomas after a lovely through ball from Jess King.
Jay Bradford’s side responded just four minutes later when Fergusson touched the ball into the box before looping a delightful effort over Addicks goalkeeper Eartha Cumings and into the far corner.
Charlton restored their lead in the 26th minute when the ball broke kindly for Hughes in the box who fired into the net on the turn despite appearing to be in an offside position.
And the hosts had their third goal five minutes before half-time when Hughes tapped home her second of the night at the back post from Emma Follis’ cross from the left.
Coventry started well in the second period when Charlie Estcourt drove towards the Charlton goal before firing wide of the post from 25-yards out.
Hughes looked to be in on goal for her hat-trick later in the half only for Thomas to get down well and rob the Charlton player of possession.
Bradford’s side were unable to reduce the deficit in the second period as they lacked creativity in the final third but remain above Charlton on goals scored in Group C ahead of a home match with WSL side Tottenham in mid-December.
The Red and Greens return to league action at home to high-flying Durham on Sunday, November 21 with kick-off at 12pm (midday) at Butts Park Arena.
