Johnnie Jackson hails impact of returning players as Charlton end winless streak with Gillingham victory

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Charlton manager Johnnie Jackson hailed the impact of the returning Conor Washington and Corey Blackett-Taylor as the Addicks ended their seven-game winless streak against Gillingham.

Washington made his first league start since the defeat at Bolton in early February – with Blackett-Taylor featuring for the first time since suffering a knock against AFC Wimbledon three days before.

Both were in from the off against the Gills and Blackett-Taylor was heavily involved in the winning goal. His mazy run culminated in a shot that was spilt by Pontus Dahlberg before eventually falling at the feet of Alex Gilbey five minutes before half-time.

“Another player that’s really important and that we’ve clearly missed,” said Jackson of summer recruit Blackett-Taylor.

“Someone who has got that real raw pace and ability to get at people, go both ways. There’s not a lot of those around. When you haven’t got that in your team, you miss it. Another important player that we missed because he provides ammunition for those guys up front.

“I didn’t expect him to still be on the pitch in the 88^th minute when he came off so credit to him that he’s got through it. Still running and working for the team as well. That’s what I liked, not just the stuff going forward but he was willing to do the dirty, horrible stuff going back towards his own goal and that’s equally as important.”

Jackson was able to start his first-choice front two of Washington alongside Jayden Stockley for the first time since a 2-0 home win over Cambridge in early December. The Addicks are unbeaten during each of the seven times that Jackson has been able to do that – with at least one of the duo scoring in each of those six previous occasions before tonight.

“There’s no getting away from how important those players are for us. We’ve missed them. We’ve missed the partnership. At times we’ve had one and not the other. When they play together, we are a difficult team to beat. Under myself, we haven’t lost when those two guys have started.

“Really pleased to have them back. I thought they were magnificent considering Conor Washington hasn’t been back training long. Only played half an hour at the weekend and he’s managed to get through 90 minutes and still running at the end there. Jayden has come back into it and had to play every minute as well. Really pleased with them and their output.

“Really important win. It feels like it’s been a while. It’s been a difficult run, there’s no getting away from it. Really pleased that we got over the line tonight. It was a big game in the fact that we’ve been on a poor run and they’re below us in the league. A local derby as well if you like. Really important win for us.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS