Match reportGrace Fisk scores twice as LFC Women defeat Charlton in WSL opener
Grace Fisk scored twice as Liverpool FC Women secured a 4-0 victory at Charlton Athletic in their Barclays Women’s Super League opener on Sunday.
The Reds’ captain found the back of the net in either half of the game, while Vivien Endemann was also on the scoresheet on her competitive debut.
Cornelia Kapocs then rounded out the scoring for Liverpool as she converted a late penalty in added time at the end of the contest.
Endemann and goalkeeper Khiara Keating were handed their first starts by head coach Gareth Taylor, while Sam Kerr returned from long-term injury to also begin the fixture.
Liverpool applied early pressure to their hosts at The Valley with a succession of corners and dangerous attacks.
The Reds, however, earned the advantage after just eight minutes as their start to the meeting paid off.
A cross from Kapocs on the left byline wasn’t dealt with by goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse in the six-yard box, allowing Fisk to fire home from in close.
The Addicks responded with an opportunity of their own during a set piece situation from the right side of the Liverpool half.
Ellie Mason, though, was unable to work her half-volley on target after finding space in the visiting box.
Liverpool were dominating the ball and worked another chance to force stopper Whitehouse into a stern save.
This time it was Endemann from the right side who opened up the home defence, crossing for Beata Olsson who saw her resulting header beaten away by strong hands.
Ahead of the break, Kerr also saw a shot blocked from outside the area with the Reds on the front foot searching for a second.
Liverpool finally doubled their lead deservedly in the 53rd minute following the change of ends as Fisk struck once more.
The centre-back produced a stunning goal from the edge of the area as she timed her run onto an Endemann cutback perfectly to curl a shot into the corner of the net.
Endemann then turned from provider to goalscorer 10 minutes later as she marked her debut with an emphatic finish inside the box.
The forward pounced on a loose ball in the area to shoot high into the net and hand the Reds an unassailable lead.
In the closing stages, Fisk almost had a hat-trick as she met a corner ball, though her guided header fell inches past the far post.
Substitute Natalia Ramos also twice went close with dangerous shots from outside the area before winning a penalty kick in added time.
Kapocs stepped up late from 12 yards to duly convert and put an exclamation point on victory in the capital.
Liverpool: Keating, Kerr, Fisk, Clark, Bernabe (Agrez, 72), Nagano (Ramos, 72), Maclean, Kapocs, Holland (Höbinger, 67), Endemann (Bergstrom, 67), Olsson (Csillag, 77).
Unused subs: Kirby, Enderby, Woodham, Breen.