Charlton boss Holden: We had the momentum in second half – but missed chance proved costly

Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden pinpointed Jes Rak-Sakyi’s second-half chance as their big opportunity to take something from today’s match against Bolton Wanderers.

The Addicks had won three on the spin before a 2-1 loss at The Valley this afternoon.

Aaron Morley struck an excellent 30-yard free-kick past Ashley Maynard-Brewer in the fourth minute.

Maynard-Brewer made a superb close-range save from Dion Charles not long after – the ball coming back off the bar – as Wanderers carried a major threat in the final third.

But Albie Morgan levelled just seconds into the second period. The midfielder played a one-two with Rak-Sakyi before finishing across Bolton stopper James Trafford.

Trafford tipped a Morgan free-kick around the post and then Charlton’s scorer produced a cross from the left which Rak-Sakyi could only divert across the face of goal.

Charles made it 2-1 on 68 minutes. Ryan Inniss’ header was misplaced – Maynard-Brewer opting to come off his goal-line – and Kyle Dempsey nodded into the path of the Bolton number 10 to finish into an unguarded net.

“Bolton were slightly the better team, based on chances,” said Holden. “There wasn’t a lot in the game but we probably showed them a bit too much respect.

“We came out second half much more like ourselves, we got on the front foot and forced them into errors – we played forward and we ran forward. We scored a brilliant goal. The first two goals are as good as you’ll see.

“I’m disappointed with the build-up to Morley’s free-kick. We lost out on a bit of a melee and they get a free-kick from it. He sticks it right in the corner.

“It’s a really good goal that we score and we’re the better team for 25 minutes. We had the momentum. We get that big chance with Jes Rak-Sakyi, right in front of goal, and unfortunately couldn’t quite connect.

“Their second one is a poor goal for us to concede. We get ourselves in a position where we can get tighter on the halfway line, stop the boy turning. Then it becomes a mess and we don’t clear the header and Ash gets himself in a position [off his line]. It’s a tap-in for Dion Charles.

“I’m disappointed that we’ve lost the game because we came in with high hopes. But certainly that opening period of the second half for 20-25 minutes, I felt we showed we could toe to toe with a really good team.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS