One is enough

Charlton survived seven minutes added on to defeat Wigan Athletic 1-0 at The Valley this afternoon, the winning second half goal coming from a Jake Forster-Caskey free kick.  The players need to get to know each other better, but there were some promising signs.   

Inniss provided good defensive work throughout the game.   Saves by Ben Amos were once again vital for Charlton.

Charlton started brightly enough, but the final ball wasn't there.  Then some sloppy play around the 20 minute mark led to a Wigan corner.  Amos made a good punch away and then had to make a second good save.   Naismith, by far Wigan's most tricky player, missed a good chance.

Gunter marked his Valley debut with a yellow card, then Keane received a yellow card for a foul on Smith.  A head injury to Doughty required a bandage.

Aneke showed some good ball control.

Half time: Addicks 0, Lactics 0

It was a scrappy start to the second half.  Watson got a yellow card, possibly for dissent.  The referee's decision-making was erratic throughout and disadvantaged both teams.

Aneke was replaced by Bogle.  Evans got a yellow card.  Two free kicks from Forster-Caskey had been unsuccessful in the first half, although one just skimmed the crossbar.  This time he got the ball in the net after it deflected off the post.

Massey and Smyth got yellow cards. Shinnie was replaced by Purrington.  Amos spilled the ball, but collected it the second time.   Charlton were inviting pressure by playing too deep.

Wigan hit the crossbar and claimed a penalty, they may have had a case.

Smyth had worked hard, one fan described him as a 'Garry Nelson type' and was replaced by Washington.

Seven minutes were added on and Amos had to make a save in the last minute of the game.

Lee Bowyer told Richard Cawley: 'It was a tough game, two solid teams. We had to be at it from the first whistle to the last. Overall I'd say it was probably fair we won the game. They all dug deep at the end to hold on to the three points. The new lads that made their debuts did very, very well.'

Charlton are 15th in the table.