Karl Robinson: The return of Ben Reeves and Mark Marshall is like two new signings

Charlton boss Karl Robinson hailed the return to fitness of summer acquisitions Ben Reeves and Mark Marshal, as the duo both scored in the FA Cup win over non-league Truro City.

A brace from Reeves and Marshall’s first Addicks goal were enough to secure the South Londoners’ place in the second-round of the competition, after Tyler Harvey’s header that reduce the deficit to 2-1 had given Robinson’s men a scare on the hour mark.

Both Marshall and Reeves had struggled for fitness in the first part of the campaign but Robinson said that their returns felt like two new recruits being added to his squad.

“They’re like new signings,” explained the Liverpudlian.

“The reason I brought them to the football club is because they give us tremendous energy and a goal threat as well. When you look, Reevsey has started three and scored four so we know that’s what he’s here to do .

“Marshy historically is more of an assist merchant rather than a goal scorer. His shooting was getting closer, he started off hitting the Jimmy Seed Stand sign, then the back row of the stand and then he scored. So persistence is something that he certainly has and he got his goal that he deserved.”

National League South side Truro more than played their part in the contest and Robinson said that an over-eagerness from his side to add to the score line let the visitors back into the tie.

“There were two components. Their honesty and their quality in the right stages and our eagerness to score too many goals. Committing too many men forward and choosing the wrong option in the final third. It was what it was. When we were disciplined first half we looked a very good team.

“When the game started to open up and they stopped tracking us, if we made a mistake they were obviously on the ascendancy and made it very difficult. It was a great header for their goal. But listen, we’re through and that’s the most important thing.

“It’s another win here at The Valley. It’s important that we clock up these victories here and make ourselves a team that people fear. We keep going. We’ve got a number of games now with some big teams coming to the valley and it’s only going to get harder.”

The draw for the second-round of the completion is set to take place on Monday evening but Robinson has no preference for what sort of side he hopes to face.

“We’ll take whatever comes. If you start worrying about what you’re going to get it becomes a non-entity, the whole thing. The beauty of the FA cup is that you get what you’re given. You take it and you play. The groundsman wants it to be away though, there’s been that many games on this pitch.”