A Sophie McLean brace helped Watford to a first win of the Barclays Women’s Championship season, beating Charlton Athletic 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at The Valley.

McLean’s first came within four minutes after Carly Johns’ high press caught out goalkeeper Sian Rogers, with the striker netting a goal of her own in first-half stoppage time.

Injuries forced nine added minutes at the end of the first period and McLean notched again before the break, with Charlton’s spirited second-half fightback ultimately coming up short.

The victory takes Damon Lathrope’s side up to sixth in the Championship table ahead of next Sunday’s visit of Blackburn Rovers to Grosvenor Vale [September 17, 2pm KO].

Charlton had the first attack of the match and established an offensive style from the off, but found themselves caught out at the back for the game’s opening goal. Rogers looked to play the ball out to the left but Johns intercepted the scuffed attempt, squaring for McLean to tap home for her first goal of the campaign.

Continuing to enjoy the lion’s share of possession despite the setback, the Addicks had several early chances, with the Golden Girls forced into making vital defensive contributions.

Kiera Skeels headed wide from close range and Angela Addison had a powerful shot blocked by Drè Georgiou, before former Charlton defender Corinne Henson made a decisive sliding block to prevent Karin Muya from firing into an empty net.

Georgiou had an effort of her own saved well by Rogers, who landed awkwardly and made way for Jessica Gray after several minutes of treatment.

An inswinging corner caused chaos in Charlton’s box before Johns took control, firing past Gray for her third goal in as many games and doubling the Hornets’ lead.

Two became three minutes later as McLean burst through again, coolly slotting through the legs of Gray to complete a fluid passing move that spanned across the pitch.

The hosts made three half-time substitutions and found themselves on the front foot again in the second period, with Arsenal loanee Freya Godfrey stinging the gloves of Olivia Clark before fellow substitute Freda Ayisi’s shot curled just wide.

Carla Humphrey reduced the deficit 10 minutes after the break, finding the top left corner with an accurate free-kick to put further pressure on the visitors.

Lathrope then made two changes as Alli Palisch and Flo Fyfe entered the fray, creating a more defensive shape to stifle the Addicks’ attack, but the Hornets remained a threat on the counter.

Addison had an initial shot saved by Clark but converted the rebound with a powerful volley as the game entered the final 10 minutes, setting up a grandstand finish in south London.

Watford substitute Bianca Baptiste cleverly jinked past Gray and looked set to convert a fourth only to be denied by the offside flag, before Charlton’s Melissa Johnson failed to beat Clark with an attempt inside the box.

The Golden Girls held on for a first win of the new campaign, with Blackburn up next back in front of the home faithful.