United were without the recently named Women’s Championship Player of the Month, Lauren James, who is away on international duty, but dominated from start to finish and could have been ahead after just three minutes. Amy Turner, getting on the end of Zelem’s teasing corner, headed over from close range.
The Reds' possession and pressure on Charlton was rewarded after 15 minutes though. Alex Greenwood found Zelem on the edge of the area and the number 10’s excellent turn gave her room to pick her spot and fire a precise left-footed effort past the visitors' goalkeeper, Katie Startup.