The lowdown on Charlton 2 Wrexham 2 – Injuries yet again impacting on Addicks campaign
Charlton Athletic made it three League One draws in a row as they found a late leveller against Wrexham.
Here is the lowdown on the match.
THE LINE-UPS
Charlton: Mannion, Watson (Edmonds-Green 4), Gillesphey, A Mitchell, Edwards, Docherty (Taylor 62), Coventry (Hylton 81), Anderson (Leaburn 46), Berry (Campbell 62), Godden, T Campbell. Subs not used: Maynard-Brewer, Small.
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Cleworth, O’Connor, McClean, Palmer (Faal 86), Mullin, Dobson, Rathbone (Cannon 70), Scarr, Barnett (Revan 85), Lee. Subs not used: Burton, O’Connell, Bolton, James.
SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
A crowd of 24,692 were in attendance as Wrexham arrived in SE7 – with the club’s Hollywood owners and successful Disney+ docuseries making them a big draw whenever they play on the road, particularly a Saturday afternoon in the capital. Nathan Jones saw it as a point gained rather than two dropped after Matty Godden’s 97th-minute penalty – literally the last significant action of a match that was not short on incident with 32 shots (18 for the hosts). Charlton had an xG of 1.51 but a non-penalty xG of 0.72 – compared to the Welsh club’s 1.01. Conor Coventry was deemed to have scored an own goal from Tom O’Connor’s free-kick but Will Mannion also appeared to fumble it over the goal-line. Macaulay Gillesphey’s looping header was his first in Charlton colours. Andy Cannon made it 2-1 to the Red Dragons in the 71st minute but there was to be a satisfying late twist for the hosts.
TACTICAL APPROACH
Four changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Barnsley but Tennai Watson went off in the opening minutes with Rarmani Edmonds-Green slotting in at right-back. Boss Nathan Jones started again with the box midfield but changed shape after introducing Miles Leaburn at the start of the second half – Josh Edwards went as the left-sided defender in a back three with Tyreece Campbell playing wing-back on that side.
STAR MAN
Conor Coventry. As mentioned above, I’m not sure he was at fault for Wrexham’s opening goal. It was a solid rather than spectacular shift from the midfielder, but that also summed up Charlton’s performance on the afternoon. He attempted the joint most tackles in the home team along with Josh Edwards (six). Who had the most? George Dobson (10). Time to move on, sensitive subject.
BEST MOMENT
Godden’s penalty. Whipped that penalty away with the air of a man who didn’t feel any pressure and, secondly, was in no doubt he was about to collect his fifth goal of the season.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Jones was spot on with his strong criticism of the tackle on Tyreece Campbell which earned Seb Revan a booking. The Charlton chief described it as “disgraceful”. When you bear in mind those kind of fouls on countering opponents make zero attempt to win the ball, it’s crazy they count more then some of the really mild off-the-ball stuff that referees often can’t wait to get the red card out for.
A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
It’s hard to remember a season when Charlton have not had to contend with injuries and once again it is proving an issue. Lloyd Jones, Kayne Ramsay, Brad Potts, Gassan Ahadme, Daniel Kanu and Chuks Aneke all missed the Wrexham fixture. Jones’ approach is not to give detailed breakdowns on timelines for players – or sometimes even details about what is wrong, Ahadme is a prime example of that as info has been light on what has kept him out since the Bristol Rovers defeat. The one positive on that front has been the recent return of Miles Leaburn to the senior. set-up.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“I never felt we were ever in total control of the game or front-footed enough. In spells we were excellent, when we moved the ball and created stuff. To have 18 shots and eight or nine on target, we must’ve done something right. It felt like we weren’t a team that were relentless and constant – really went after the game.”
PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS