Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse’s masterclass as Charlton promoted to WSL

Despite stunning saves from Whitehouse to deny Shannon O’Brien and Ashley Neville, if the previous 120 minutes had felt languid, the shootout was far from it and descended into chaos in moments.

With every Whitehouse save, chants erupted from the home fans and manager Heels gasped in the air, unable to contain his anxiety.

At one point, Whitehouse’s prized bottle – full of instructions painted on it – was dropped on the stand, only to be retrieved by a member of Charlton’s staff, later called Billy.

As the clock ticked down, Whitehouse quickly read the signs and picked up a yellow card for time-wasting and Leicester’s Olivia McLaughlin waited to take her penalty.

Ironically, this was the only spot kick Whitehouse couldn’t save as McLaughlin’s effort curled under the crossbar and into the top netting.

“My bottle disappeared for some reason,” White House later joked when asked if opposing goalie Katie Keane had tried to drop it.

“I don’t know where it went… but luckily someone behind the stand scrambled to get it. I might have information at that moment to help me. I can’t tell you my secret!”

“Thanks for getting my bottle back Billy! I had to retrieve the bottle, so I got a yellow card, but it was worth it.

“It’s safely tucked away in the dressing room now. I might actually take it out and put it on my wall.”

Whitehouse revealed he set himself three goals at the start of the season – to be consistent, win the Golden Glove and help Charlton gain promotion.

As he sat next to his manager, beaming with pride and eyeing a bottle of champagne, Whitehouse realized he had achieved what he had hoped for.

On Monday, he was awarded the Golden Glove for his eight clean sheets throughout the campaign and this result was the cherry on top.

“This season is what I’ve been trying to do. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure I did everything I could in every game, and we did. I’m very proud,” added Whitehouse.

“The staff prepares us for those moments, so I feel ready. I was just in the zone when we got to the shootout.

“I did what I could and made some saves. Neil – my goalkeeping coach – really helped me.”