West Ham United continued their good run of form as they ended 2018 with a 2-0 win against Charlton Athletic Women in the Continental Tyres Cup.
The result, secured thanks to second half goals from Rosie Kmita and Alisha Lehmann, was the Hammers fourth consecutive victory; one which sends Matt Beard's side into the quarter-finals of the competition.
The opening goal of the contest came just moments after the second half restart, with Lehmann providing Kmita with a fantastic cross, from which the winger gave West Ham the lead.
Ten minutes later, the Swiss international doubled the Irons' advantage, tucking home with a smart finish.
Despite the result, it was Charlton who had the first chance of the game with a long-range strike on three minutes. The Hammers followed up moments later with their open opportunity, as Julia Simic's free-kick went wide.
Kate Longhurst played a great ball to Jane Ross who made a good direct run and found Rosie Kmita, However, she was quickly closed down by the defence and could not get her shot away.
On 25 minutes the Hammers threatened again as substitute Vyan Sampson played a good ball to Brianna Visalli, but her headed flick on was just too much for Jane Ross.
If the first half was lacking, the second more than made up for it after just mere moments. The referee's whistle immediately saw the Irons push into Charlton's defensive third. Lehmann whipped in a brilliant cross, from which Kmita was able to head home.
Ten minutes later, the lead was doubled. Another cross was whipped into the Charlton penalty area, and Lehmann was on hand to superbly fire home.
It could have been 3-0 after Ross stoke possession from Charlton goalkeeper Katie Startup, but the Scot's shot was cleared by Grace Coombs.
The home side looked to find a passage back into the game, and almost found it courtesy of a free-kick, forcing Becky Spencer into a fantastic save.
Having stopped Charlton from scoring, West Ham was able to hold on and secure a third Continental Tyres Cup victory, putting the Irons in the quarter-finals, which will be played next month.
Charlton Athletic Women: Startup; Ritchie, Coombs (C), Clifford, Bryan, Gurr, Stobbs, Bennett, Maple (Nicol 70), Bowers (Brunton-Wilde 88), Ejupi
Subs not used: Griffin,
West Ham United: Spencer; Percival, Hendrix (Sampson 16), Flaherty, Lehmann, Ross, Simic (Reichardt 60), Rafferty, Longhurst, Visalli, Kmita
Subs not used: Moorhouse
Goals: Kmita 46, Lehmann 56
Attendance: 202