Bill Long hailed the Charlton women’s team after what has been an excellent week, starting with his side winning the London FA Women’s Senior Cup in Redbridge on Thursday.

The Addicks defeated Arsenal Ladies reserves 2-1 after extra time to lift the trophy for the first time since 2006, but Long made sure his charges did not rest on their laurels.

They were back in league action on Sunday, beating Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to an excellent Kit Graham goal that moves them just one point behind the Midland side in the Premier League table.

Long said: “I was really pleased with the girls. The first 20 minutes of the [Aston Villa game] you knew we’d played Thursday and I think it took the girls that long to get into the game.

“But once the goal went in we deservedly went out to win the game and we never looked back. I was very proud of the girls and it has made it a really good week.

“It was nice to win the cup but our bread and butter is the league and it’s a nice way to finish the week off.

“We spoke about that before the game; it’s nice to win trophies but you really want to be getting in the top five or six of the league.”

The Charlton women’s team are at home once again this weekend when they take on Coventry City at Bayliss Avenue. Tickets are free for Charlton Athletic season ticket holders and £1 otherwise.

Pictures supplied by T Siegfried