Match reportGrace Fisk scores twice as Liverpool defeat Charlton in WSL opener
Grace Fisk scored twice as Liverpool 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 result for Gareth Taylor’s team as she converted a penalty in added time at the end of the contest.
Endemann and goalkeeper Khiara Keating were handed their first starts by head coach 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.
And they earned the advantage after just eight minutes as their strong start 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 was unable to work her half-volley on target, though, after finding space in the visitors’ box.
The Reds were dominating the ball and worked another chance to force stopper Whitehouse into a save.
This time it was Endemann from the right side opening up the home defence and crossing for Beata Olsson, who saw her resulting header beaten away.
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 following the change of ends, as Fisk struck once more in the 53rd minute.
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, marking her debut with an emphatic finish inside the box.
The forward pounced on a loose ball to shoot high into the net and enhance the Reds’ grip on three points.
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 from 12 yards and duly converted for an exclamation point on victory in the capital.
Team
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.
Next up
Liverpool’s first home match of the new WSL season sees Tottenham Hotspur visit next Sunday (September 13).
Kick-off at St Helens Stadium will be 2pm BST and fans can book tickets and travel here.