There have been so many times when Charlton have lost a game in time added on, but today a last minute strike by Thierry Small gave them a 1-0 win against Shrewsbury Town. Louis Mendez says this is the latest game winning goal for ten years.
The statto added: 'Charlton have scored 12 goals in the final 10 minutes (plus added-time) of games - the most in League One this season. They've also only conceded 2 goals in that timeframe - the joint fewest.'
Charlton had 70 per cent possession in the game and eleven shots to four, but only three were on target. Corners were nine to five.
Charlton are 10th, but only two points behind Barnsley in 6th place with a game in hand. The Louis Mendez graph is looking more promising.
Luke Berry went close for Charlton in the opening 10 minutes
when his right-footed free-kick forced Jamal Blackman into a good save.
In a scrappy game, Challton offered more of a threat, and they should
have led just before the half-hour mark. Tyreece Campbell got the better
of Alex Gilliead on the Town right, and his whipped shot was
cleared off the line at the back post.
Salop survived another scare moments later when Thierry
Small found himself with acres of space inside the penalty box. But his
left-footed effort went flying into the Shrewsbury fans behind the goal.
Going forward, Shrewsbury relied heavily on set pieces for
their threat, but the delivery was poor, often failing to beat the first man,
and the Addicks easily cleared.
After the break, Leaburn forced Blackman into a good save
down to his left when he got away from his man and headed goalward. Leaburn was not at his best and was
eventually replaced by Aneke.
It felt like it was going to be one of those days
for Charlton when Greg Docherty got a shot away from eight yards out, only for
it to hit his own man inside the six-yard box.
As the game went into the final 15 minutes, Shropshire's finest had their
first effort on target when George Lloyd played in John Marquis - but the Town
skipper's effort was saved by Maynard-Brewer.
Kayne Ramsay, who returned from injury for the hosts, headed
over with two minutes remaining on the clock. Jordan Shipley had a golden chance to win it
for Town four minutes into stoppage, but his scuffed effort was cleared off
the line.
And with the final kick of the game, Charlton finally
broke through the resistance of the Salopians as Small fired in beyond
Blackman.
With Nathan Jones fulfilling a prior engagement, Curtis Fleming said: 'It was something that we thought would happen. Last six or seven games, Salop have looked a resilient team. We spoke about it being 97 minutes that we may win the game"
More from the No.2 here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-assistant-boss-we-knew-it-might-take-late-winner-to-see-off-shrewsbury-town/
Quite a few fans have expressed respect for Gareth Ainsowrth and the way he stayed on the pitch to shake hands with Charlton players after the match. He is a class act.
I note, however, that he didn't make use of his Acworthan signings from Easteligh, Leamington and Telford.
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