Charlton use their cushion

Before the game Crewe fans were offered a 20 per cent discount on cushions.  Charlton used the cushion of the two goals they scored in the first half through Doughty and Washington to secure three away points in a victory at Gresty Road this afternoon.    

Crewe signalled early intent with a shot just over the bar within the first minute from captain Ng.

Charlton went ahead on 24 minutes after a break down the right.  A good ball from Gilbey enabled Doughty to put in a left footed shot along the ground which went into the bottom corner of the net.

Washington made it 2-0 on 42 minutes.   After good headers from Purrington and Oshilaja he put in what might generously be described as a half volley.  It was a scrappy goal, but they all count.

Indeed, it had been a scrappy first half, possibly not helped by a swirling wind at pitch level.   The Charlton left had looked vulnerable at times.  Crewe closed down Charlton in midfield and the Addicks were not very fluent, although they looked threatening going forward.  

The Addicks were able to feed off Crewe's mistakes while the home side were not very accurate when they did have a half chance.

Half time: Crewe Alexandria 0, Charlton Athletic 2

At the beginning of the second half a deflected shot from Forster-Caskey drew a fingertip save from Jaaskelainen in the Crewe goal.

Amos made a good save on 58 minutes.   On 60 minutes Williams, who was on international duty, replaced Lapslie.

Amos got a yellow card for time wasting when he delayed a goal kick because he thought Doughty might need a physio.

Crewe were livelier in the second part of the half with Kirk showing some quality in patches. Aneke replaced Washington.  Doughty got a yellow card for a foul.

On 80 minutes a Crewe effort came off the crossbar and Amos punched it clear.

The four minutes added on were extended to six for a late Crewe free kick.   Doughty was replaced by Morgan in time added on.

I'm not sure that Charlton's short corner routine worked well, you need a high skill level to bring them off.

Doughty would be my man of the match.  Oshilaja put in some good defensive work and Barker did well at right back.  Amos was in command of his area, but needs more work on his kicking out.

Charlton are 3rd in the tentative table.  The Addicks had a bit more quality than their newly promoted opponents.

Sanguine supremo Lee Bowyer thought that there was plenty of room for improvement: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/lee-bowyer-says-theres-still-room-for-improvement-after-charlton-claim-opening-day-win-at-crewe/