NFYL PREMIER - CHELSEA FC BLENHEIM ELITE

Charlton Athletic 1 v 4 Chelsea FC Blenheim Elite

PoM Ali B

Chelsea FC Blenheim Elite were on the road for the first time in the 2025–26 season, facing

Charlton Athletic in what turned out to be a memorable encounter. The match marked a special moment for Holly C, who made her first competitive start for the Elite team, having begun her Blenheim football journey back in Year 7.

Both teams started brightly in an end-to-end opening few minutes. However, in just the 5th

minute, a superb counterattack involving five players saw the Elite Team take an early lead. Mia D’s strike was parried by the Charlton goalkeeper, and Holly C was first to react slotting home on her debut with a composed finish.

Chelsea then began to take control of the game, remaining disciplined defensively and limiting Charlton’s ability to build attacks. Looking to exploit space behind the home side’s wing-backs, the away team continued to press intelligently. Just before half-time, their efforts were rewarded again. Thea C applied brilliant pressure on the Charlton centre-back, forcing a mistake, before setting up Ava LW, who calmly finished under pressure—another player who’s been part of Blenheim football since Year 7. With a 2–0 lead at the break, the team’s second-half focus was on being braver in attacking set pieces and smart in game management.

The second half started perfectly, as Captain Mia D powered a header into the roof of the net from a pinpoint Sophia R corner, making it 3–0. Charlton, to their credit, kept pushing and pulled one back after a well-worked move down the flank resulted in a header at the back post. With 8 minutes to play, Chelsea FC Blenheim Elite showed maturity and composure to manage the final stages effectively. The icing on the cake came five minutes from time with a beautifully worked team goal. Ali B, who was later named Player of the Match, beat her full-back before finding Mia D in the box. Demonstrating great vision, Mia

teed up Katie D, who finished calmly at the back post for her first goal for the Elite team—another debut goal to celebrate!

Coach’s Corner – Harry Baker

"Overall, I was very pleased with the way the group approached the game. We showed a high level of maturity in the way we defended, and a freedom in possession that allowed us to create multiple chances. A thoroughly deserved three points for the Elite team."