Charlton keeper makes penalty shootout admission after Brighton EFL Cup win
Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer says he ditched the bottle coach Glyn Shimell gave him with instructions of where Brighton players would likely place their penalties during Wednesday’s EFL Cup victory.
The Addicks won 4-3 on penalties against Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls after neither side could break the deadlock during the 90 minutes.
Maynard-Brewer was due to spend the season on loan with Gillingham in League Two before suffering a shoulder injury, with Charlton recalling the Australian shotstopper in November after Joe Wallacott broke his finger.
The 23-year-old saved Moises Caicedo’s spot-kick in sudden death, diving low to his right-hand side, which allowed defended Sam Lavelle to convert the winning penalty and book Charlton’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2006.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“My goalie coach gave me a bottle with names of players and where they go,” said Maynard-Brewer of whether he had studied the Premier League side’s previous penalties ahead of the clash at The Valley.
“But after two or three, I went on instinct and hoped for the best. As a goalie, there’s not as much pressure on you. If they score, it’s not your fault; if you save one, you’re the hero.
“When it was full-time, and it went to penalties, I was actually quite relieved. I thought: ‘Whatever happens, there is a chance I can do well.’
“It was a great effort from all the boys to get a result against a Premier League side.
“Because it was against such a big team, there was no pressure. We played with freedom – it was bloody brilliant. I’m looking forward to the next round.”
New manager Dean Holden, who was appointed on Tuesday as Ben Garner’s replacement, watched on from the stands with caretaker Anthony Hayes taking charge of the side.
“That was a good opportunity for all of us to make an impression in front of the new manager,” added Maynard-Brewer.
“Hayesy said to us before the game that it was a free hit, there is no pressure, and just to put a massive performance in.
“That’s what we did. We frustrated them, we defended really well and gave ourselves a chance.
“We have got to take this result, get a bit of momentum going and get a few wins.”
Charlton are the only non-Premier League side left in the competition. They will find out their quarter-final opponent this evening, with the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle, Wolves, and one of Manchester City or Liverpool to be involved in the draw.
Asked who he wanted to face in the next round, the Charlton keeper added: “I have not thought that far ahead.
“One of the big dogs – that would be unreal.
“It [knocking out a Premier League side] shows what the club is capable of. We know we have underperformed for the last few seasons.
“We are all working hard to get ourselves near the top of the table. We just want to do our best on the pitch and turn things around.”
MAIN PHOTO AND LAST PHOTO: PAUL EDWARDS
PENALTY SAVE: KEITH GILLARD
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