‘I knew it would be a goal’ – Matty Godden praises Chuks Aneke’s role in opening Charlton Athletic account

Matty Godden knew he would open his Charlton Athletic account as soon as Chuks Aneke sent in the cross for Charlton Athletic’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Bolton on Saturday.

Greg Docherty scored in the 10th minute to put the Addicks ahead, shooting from the edge of the box past Nathan Baxter.

Godden joined from Coventry in the summer and scored his first Charlton goal to seal all three points in the 88th minute after Aneke swung a perfectly-weighted cross into the box for the 32-year-old to head home.

The former Stevenage forward missed the opening game up at Wigan and has started the last two League One outings on the bench.

Asked about Aneke’s cross, Godden said: “I have said to him six times already: ‘That ball is like my dream.’

“I have made a living out of scoring goals from six or seven yards out.

“As soon as I saw it leave his foot, I knew it would be a goal. 

“It’s a perfect start for me. I had a little knock at the start of the season, so I missed the first game.

“But to come back in during the second game of the season at The Valley and get the 1-0 win [against Leyton Oreint]. Then to get off the mark in my second game after coming off the bench – I’m delighted.”

The Addicks are off to a perfect start to life in League One under Nathan Jones this season, keeping three clean sheets and winning all three games.

“It was obviously going to be a tough game,” said Godden of the clash against last season’s League One play-off finalists Bolton.

“They are well-fancied in the division, but we’re on a high at the moment, and we carried on the intensity that we showed in the first two games. 

“We were really good off the ball and we were good on the ball, especially in the first half.

“The second half was a bit of a scrap – but that’s what we’re all about.

“The gaffer drills it into us every day about being intense off the ball and putting teams under pressure – we did that.

“We got the second goal and deserved it in the end.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS