Cup victory for Charlton

Charlton comfortably beat League One side Stevenage 3-1 to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.   Miles Leaburn calmly slotted the Addicks into the lead before Ibrahim Fullah doubled the advantage with a goal on his first start for the club.  Luke Berry made the game safe as he headed in the Addicks' third after the break.

Having beaten Watford 1-0 thanks to Harvey Knibbs' late winner on their return to the Championship on Saturday, Nathan Jones gave his goal scoring signing his first start since joining from Reading.

Knibbs was one of 11 changes with Joe Rankin-Costello making his debut alongside Fullah at The Valley.

Leaburn, who scored 10 goals last season as Charlton won promotion via the play-offs, opened his account for 2025-26 as he slotted in Isaac Olaofe's pass after Dan Phillips had given away the ball.

Nine minutes later, Fullah made it a debut to remember as he outmuscled his marker to shoot home Henry Rylah's cross into the bottom corner.

Dan Kemp blasted over for Stevenage shortly after the break, while at the other end Taye Ashby-Hammond was on hand to keep the ball out after Berry had redirected Rankin-Costello's shot towards goal.

Berry did find the net soon after as he stooped to head home Daniel Kanu's cross to seal matters.

But Stevenage finished the tie strongly and cut the deficit when Freestone headed in Jasper Pattenden's cross before Phoenix Patterson forced a good save from Will Mannion.

Charlie Kelman saw a stoppage-time effort deflect just wide for the Addicks as they progressed to the next round.

Richard Cawley reports Nathan Jones praised Isaac Olaofe for the assist that led to Miles Leaburn's opener for Charlton  last night but also talked about the summer signing 'over-thinking' a good scoring chance in the first half.    Jones was also very bullish on Danny Hylton stepping up his coaching responsibilities following the departure of James Brayne to Sunderland.

Charlton turn over the furniture

The Times said this morning that Charlton were a team coming into form at the right time and they demonstrated that with a 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in beechy Bucks this afternoon.   The clean sheet was offset by the dismissal of Chuks Aneke in time added on for violent conduct.  Earlier Nathan Jones was booked for excessive celebration.

Charlton remain in 4th place.  Second placed Wrexham won at Blackpool and Charlton face what Steve Brown called a 'massive game' there next week.

The Addicks bossed Wycombe from start to finish and took an 11th-minute lead through Lloyd Jones' well-taken half volley past goalkeeper Will Norris.

It was 2-0 after 24 minutes thanks to a brilliant strike from Luke Berry, who fired home from 15 yards.

Wycombe rarely offered anything in attack, indeed it was 86 minutes before Will Mannion had to deal with a shot on target.  Richard Kone was starved of service and around the hour mark the game was wrapped up.

Norris slipped when receiving a back pass from Xavier Simons and Matt Godden tapped in Charlton's third in the 58th minute.

Four minutes later, moaners' target Karoy Anderson scored a header to send the 1,849 travelling fans into ecstasy.

With players such as Godden taken off, Charlton stepped off the gas in the closing phase of the game.

Conor Coventry had an excellent game in midfield and Macualy Gillesphey was outstanding.

His ears ringing from an angry phone call from the steppes, Wycombe's shell shocked supremo Mike Dodds rued the loss of their defensive record and said that Charlton had forced them into errors and were really aggressive on second balls: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/wycombe-boss-looking-to-conduct-autopsy-after-4-0-loss-to-charlton-athletic/

Nathan Jones says that he was very pleased with the level of performance: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/national/25104962.nathan-jones-hails-outstanding-charlton-display-wallop-wycombe/

Charlton secure play off place

Matty Godden's 18th goal of the season helped Charlton secure their place in the League One play-offs with a 2-1 win over away draw specialists Northampton.

Luke Berry put the Addicks ahead in the ninth minute. The attacking midfielder struck a right-footed volley home after Northampton defender TJ Eyoma could only partially cut out Godden's cross.

Dara Costelloe equalised for the visitors soon after. The striker sent goalkeeper Will Mannion the wrong way from the penalty spot after referee Ollie Yates penalised Tom McIntyre for handling Tariqe Fosu's teasing delivery.

Charlton made a rather hesitant start to the second half producing a torrent of moaning from Steve Brown who accused them of being naive.   Chuks Aneke came on as a substitute soon afterwards with Tyreece Campbell reverting to right wing-back with Small at left wing-back.   Some of Small's shortcomings drove Nathan Jones to distraction.

Former Charlton winger Fosu produced a terrible miss in the 53rd minute from close range after being picked out by Tyler Roberts – his attempt harmlessly drifting out towards the left touchline.

Godden rattled the crossbar in the 67th minute from Thierry Small's cross but the veteran striker made no mistake four minutes later, sliding his finish underneath Northampton goalkeeper Lee Burge after racing on to Chuks Aneke's flick-on.

Northampton substitute James Wilson was just unable to reach Costelloe's pass as Charlton endured a nervy finish with Mannion making two good saves in the five minutes added on.   However, the home side's tactics produced further expressions of exasperation from moaner Brown.  

The Addicks moved up to fourth in the table one point above Stockport.  The Shoe Army posed some challenges in a tough game, but the Addicks face a much tougher test on Monday in beechy Bucks against Kazakh-owned Wycombe Wanderers.

Berry refuses to be downbeat after loss

Most Charlton fans are prepared to accept that yesterday's defeat was a bad day at the office and that is pretty much the message from Luke Berry: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/luke-berry-refusing-to-be-downbeat-despite-charltons-3-0-loss-at-peterborough/

Of course, given that we are talking about Charlton fans so there has been an outpouring of pessimism and negativity from some quarters.

There was, I think, a failure to recognise how resurgent Peterborough are.   We couldn't maintain the initial intense press (although it nearly produced an early goal) and, as Berry points out, the home side were strong on the counter attack.

We just need to learn the lessons for an important home fixture against Huddersfield.

Charlton move into play off places

Charlton moved into 6th place in League One after a 2-0 win over in form Stevenage at The Valley this afternoon.   Bolton and Reading both drew in their games and in any case but had an inferior goal difference. (Bolton won 4-3 in the 96th minute but Charlton remained 6th). Leyton Orient were entertaining Manchester City so do have a game in hand.

There was some sloppy passing by the Addicks in the early exchanges, Stevenage were the better side and Ashley Maynard-Brewer had to race out to foil Louis Appere, who attempted to go around him.  Jamie Reid also drilled into the side-netting from a tight angle for Stevenage, who had won their past three games coming into the contest., 

However, a team talk around the 30 minute mark while Ashley Maynard-Brewer was down receiving treatment for an 'injury' arising from a need to slow the game down seemed to revitalise the team.   Matty Godden then scored on 44 minute with an attack started by him with a deft flick to Campbell.  He converted from Coventry's cross, squeezing it in at the near post. 

Berry made it 2-0 early in the second half on 48 minutes.   Campbell hit the bar and Berry scored from the rebound.   Charlton dominated the rest of the game, but were unable to score again.  Small had a shot blocked and Campbell sent a curler wide.

Charlton had 15 shots on goal of which three were on target, Stevenage managed just three shots, none on target.

Out of the Cup

Mid-table Championship overcame mid-table League One at Deepdale tonight as Preston North End beat Charlton 2-1.

I listened to BBC Radio Lancashire who offered a fair and balanced commentary.  They were full of praise for Tyreece Campbell who was a real threat down the wing and also for the physicality and pace of Thierry Small.    They did wonder if playing three at the back left us exposed on the wings.

After Charlton had been the better side, a defensive mix up between Mitchell and Manion with the defender hitting an under powered back pass allowed the home side to go ahead.  However, Berry equalised before half  time from a Campbell cross.

On 47 minutes poor defending from a corner allowed Preston to go ahead with a volley.   Preston scored from their two shots on target.

Charlton kept themselves in the game and never really went away. It took a wonderful Woodman save to keep out Chuks Aneke's bullet header five minutes from the end to ensure that Preston progressed.

The Gasman had a poor game up front and was eventually replaced by Leaburn.

Attendance 7,734 (716 Addickted).

Nathan Jones considers that the game showed that Cbarlton were 'near Championship level' and fans thought that the performance was one of our better ones: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-after-narrow-fa-cup-exit-at-preston-charlton-athletic-have-a-championship-level-squad/

Two points lost or one point gained?

Two late goals at Oakwell ensured the points were shared as Barnsley drew 2-2 with Charlton.  The Addicks moved up from 12^th to 11^th in the table, but are just one point off a play off place.   A win would have seen them go up to fifth.

Davis Keillor-Dunn and Max Watters scored either side of a Luke Berry brace, with both sides scoring in second-half stoppage time.

Barnsley opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Stephen Humphrys’ effort was palmed into the path of Keillor-Dunn to slot home from close range.

The Tykes had the chance for a second in the 58th minute when Jon Russell volleyed goalwards from inside the box and hammered the Charlton crossbar.

The Addicks equalised with 13 minutes to play when Berry latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box, firing beyond Gabriel Slonina into the left of the goal.

They thought they had a winner in the third minute of injury time when Berry capitalised on an error from Slonina and fired home in front of the 400 or so travelling fans.

But Charlton’s defensive and time added on weaknesses from last season returned to haunt them again and Barnsley found the leveller two minutes later when substitute Watters latched onto Marc Roberts’ flick on and struck beyond Will Mannion.

Nathan Jones was not happy with his team's failure to do the basics well: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/we-didnt-win-a-header-all-night-charlton-boss-jones-displeased-by-his-side-lacking-basics-in-barnsley-draw/

Tangerine nightmare

Charlton are 4th in League One after a 1-2 loss to Blackpool at The Valley this afternoon.   The visitors went 2-0 ahead in the first half and it cannot be said to have been against the run of play.   Inevitably one goal was scored by returning Addick Albie Morgan and the other an own goal by Ahadme.

The Addicks improved somewhat in the second half and Berry scored a consolation in time added on.

Charlton’s Will Mannion was called into action to make the first saves of the game just before the 15-minute mark.  After initially stopping a Lee Evans free kick from going in off one of his teammates, the Addicks keeper was also able to deny Olly Casey - who should’ve done better from close-range on the rebound.

The deadlock was broken soon after. A speculative ball into the box by Apter was met by Kyle Joseph, who flicked a header towards goal, with the ball coming off Ahadme before crossing the line via the post.

Blackpool quickly added another to strengthen their lead. A CJ Hamilton ball into the box was blocked straight into the path of Morgan.

A number of saves required from Blackpool custodian Harry Tyrer in the second hal.  At the start of the second half, the Everton loanee pushed wide a free-kick from Conor Coventry, before making another save from close-range a couple of minutes after.

Charlton substitute Chuks Aneke had a good chance to pull one back, but couldn’t keep his header down after beating Tyrer to the ball.   Blackpool used every opportunity to waste time.

The Addicks eventually found the back of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage after a mistake from the keeper, who was unable to keep hold of the ball, as Berry made the most of the opportunity to tap in from close-range.

Despite having further pressure thrown their way in the closing stages, Blackpool were able to successfully hold on to the win, with Tyrer stopping a late free kick.

Nathan Jones says it was his fault for 'changing the team', one might add that Blackpool's 4-4-2 formation found us out: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/its-my-fault-for-changing-the-team-nathan-jones-accepts-responsibility-for-charltons-first-half-display-against-blackpool/

Report from Louis Mendez here.  Referee Charles Breakspear was a disgrace, he always is, but even more so with a stick of Blackpool rock stuffed up his rear.   It would also be good to have a heat map of the Blaclpool physio: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-charlton-athletic-1-

blackpool-2-addicks-slip-to-first-home-defeat-as-changes-dont-pay-off/

It was a fragile performance reminiscent of last season, but I don't accept the view that all hopes of a play off place are now over.

Berry's message

Luke Berry talks about his first goal in a Charlton shirt and emphasises the importance of clean sheets: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/luke-berry-has-ominous-message-for-charltons-athletics-league-one-promotion-rivals/

Nathan Jones says that Charlton could have scored more if they has shown greater quality in the final third: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-boss-on-luke-berrys-vital-first-goal-and-delight-at-his-teams-display-in-win-over-orient/

Clean sheet winning start continues

Luke Berry’s stoppage-time strike saw Charlton maintain their 100% start in League One with a tunnel derby win over Leyton Orient.

Summer signing Berry, a free agent after leaving Luton, raced on to substitute Chuks Aneke’s flick to slot into the bottom-left corner of the net.

It was nothing less than the Addicks deserved as they dominated after the restart.

Forward Charlie Kelman had two shooting attempts in the first half, sending one across the face of goal while the other did not trouble goalkeeper Will Mannion.

Charlton defender Lloyd Jones headed away a Jordan Brown strike.

Addicks’ left wing-back Josh Edwards was stretchered off in the 27th minute, with former Addick Sean Clare booked for his late challenge to stop the Scot from launching a counter-attack.   Under VAR it could well have been a red.   Edwards will be sent for an x-ray on his injury: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-defender-josh-edwards-set-for-x-ray-to-determine-full-extent-of-injury/

Charlton ramped up the pressure after the break but still struggled to create clear opportunities, with Conor Coventry hitting a long-distance shot over while Kayne Ramsay’s strike took a deflection and clipped the crossbar, before Berry’s moment of composure as he opened his account with a crucial finish.

Analysis from the SLP here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/the-lowdown-on-charlton-1-orient-0-aneke-produces-sub-impact-once-again-in-deserved-victory/

Luke Berry signs

Midfielder Luke Berry has joined Charlton on a two year deal from Luton Town.

Nathan Jones told Richard Cawley: 'His last appearance was in the Premier League and his next appearance is going to be for Charlton Athletic, so that’s the type of calibre that we want to attract. We’ve fought off a lot of Championship interest for Luke..'