The lowdown on Charlton 2 Bolton 0 – Addicks are clean sheet kings as they look League One real deal
Charlton Athletic were 2-0 victors over Bolton Wanderers today with goals from summer signings Greg Docherty and Matty Godden.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay, A Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey, Small, Coventry, Docherty, Berry (Anderson 88), Ahadme (Godden 66), Campbell (Aneke 66). Subs not used: Maynard-Brewer, Edmonds-Green, Watson, Kanu.
Bolton Wanderers: Baxter, Dacres-Cogley (Osei-Tutu 46), Toal, Santos, Johnston (Arfield 89), Schon, Sheehan (Dempsey 66), Thomason (Matete 72), McAtee, Collins, Charles (Adeboyejo 46). Subs not used: Southwood, Forino.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
It’s become a bit repetitive but in a lovely way if you’re a Charlton Athletic fan – defensively mean as they racked up a third straight clean sheet and this time two moments of attacking quality – not just one – that were finished off to make it three straight wins in League One. The Addicks are one of the pacesetters in League One – Stockport and Huddersfield are the only other clubs with 100 per cent records – and all the signs are there that they intend to be there for the long run. If Bolton Wanderers was viewed as their first real stiff test of the 2024-25 campaign then they passed it with flying colours.
TACTICAL APPROACH
If it isn’t broken then don’t fix it. The only change for the Addicks was an enforced one with Thierry Small starting in the absence of Josh Edwards, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury in last weekend’s victory over Leyton Orient. Jones opted to bring on Godden and Chuks Aneke in a carbon copy switch of the changes he made against the O’s, Gassan Ahadme and Tyreece Campbell making way. Aneke’s flick led to Luke Berry’s stoppage-time clincher seven days ago. This time his cross from right of the box was headed home by Godden. Charlton’s industry, pressing and organisation makes them a nightmare to play against.
STAR MAN
Conor Coventry. Former West Ham man has started the season well and his role is a slightly more understated one. Typified the endeavour on show from all of the Addicks players. Only Alex Mitchell (41) completed more passes than Coventry (40) for the hosts.
BEST MOMENT
A stonker of a strike from Greg Docherty as the rain lashed down at The Valley. What’s not to like?
MOAN OF THE MATCH
I’m not sure there is one. Scraping the barrel, but I’ve never understood why games at The Valley never kick off at 3pm. The two sides didn’t actually emerge from the tunnel until 2.59pm. I never told you it wasn’t anything other than a minor grumble. Let’s hope it stays that way.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
The last time that Charlton won their opening three league matches was when Sir Christopher George Robin Powell (MBE) led them to the League One title in the 2011-12 season.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“We won the ball high again for the second goal. It is a great ball in and then that’s why we brought Godden here. A lot of people questioned: ‘Why did you pay money for a 32 or 33-year-old?’ We do it because he is a goalscorer. Give him opportunities and he will score.”