Thursday, 15 May 2025

Godden delivers Wembley final

He was derided as a poor quality replacement for Alfie May at the beginning of the season, but Matty Godden secured a Wembley final for Charlton at The Valley this evening.

Matty Godden's goal nine minutes from time sent Charlton into the League One play-off final as they edged past Wycombe at The Valley.  In a second leg almost as tepid as the first leg, the tie was settled by Godden's 22nd goal of the season.

A long ball into the Wycombe penalty area was turned towards goal by Lloyd Jones and fell kindly for Godden to poke home from close range.

Charlton will now play Leyton Orient in the final at Wembley on Sunday, 25 May with the Addicks aiming to return to the Championship for the first time since 2021.

It was another night of few chances but Charlton, who finished a point and a place above Wycombe in the table, finally found a goal as attention began to turn to extra time.

Macaulay Gillesphey floated a ball from just inside his own half into the Wycombe box and Jones beat Adam Reach to it and steered towards goal with his right boot.

Franco Ravizzoli, who replaced the unwell Will Norris in goal, was a little hesitant to come off his line and could only block Jones' touch towards goal. It bounced into the path of Godden who chested down and turned into an empty net.

Jones had earlier squandered by far the best chance of the whole tie as, six minutes before the break, he totally miscued a free header from six yards out, diverting Godden's cross from the right fully 20 yards wide of the right-hand post.

Charlton went close again after the break as Thierry Small cut inside from the right but curled his left-foot shot just wide of the left-hand post.

Wycombe were second best and failed to fashion a clear-cut chance but did go close twice as the game wore on.

First Garath McCleary took Fred Onyedinma's cross but his shot was superbly blocked by Kayne Ramsay for Charlton before the rebound fell for Xavier Simons, whose shot was also blocked by Ramsay.

At full-time Addicks boss Nathan Jones was close to tears as thousands of Charlton fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate.    He says that relief was his main emotion: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-overwhelmed-with-relief-as-charlton-athletic-secure-league-one-play-off-final-place/


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