Louis Mendez’s match report from Charlton’s 3-1 EFL Cup defeat at Newport

BY LOUIS MENDEZ AT RODNEY PARADE

Charlton 1-3 Newport – EFL Cup

If you want the glamour ties, you’ve got to earn them. Charlton’s glittering EFL Cup run culminated in a quarter-final exit at the hands of giants Manchester United last season.

That included a narrow win at Walsall and a triumph on penalties away to Stevenage. They put the hard yards in there, and they certainly needed to get their hands dirty at Rodney Parade as well. Less Theatre of Dreams, more Village Hall Reminding You How Gritty Lower League Football Is.

But Dean Holden’s much-changed side were outbattled in a second half that put a dent in the winning mentality the Addicks boss wants to reinstall in SE7. The South Londoners hadn’t visited this part of South Wales since 1980, ad they’ll be in no rush to head back anytime soon after limping out of the cup in disappointing fashion.

A scrappy Daniel Kanu goal saw Charlton take a slender lead into the interval following 45 minutes in which they’d dominated possession to the extent it was easy to forget the Exiles were even playing.

But the second-half collapse asked questions of the Addicks’ defence and squad depth that both still require answering before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Charlton were the architects of all three of Newport’s goals. Forgotten man Conor McGrandles had a fresh moment to forget when he gifted Seb Palmer-Houlden possession on the edge of the area for the first – Aaron Wildig taking over and doing the rest.

Will Evans was awarded the freedom of South Wales to sweep the second home inside the final fifteen minutes as Charlton’s backline laboured to deal with a hopeful punt into Addicks territory before the ball was fizzed back into the area.

The third summed up the South Londoners’ night. Debutant Terry Taylor slipped on the ball and County – widely tipped to struggle in League Two this season – put the game out of sight through Palmer-Houlden.

Last year’s cup run provided some light relief in a dog of a campaign. Anyone hoping that this early exit will be a blip in a successful season will have no doubts that there are still building blocks to put in place at Sparrows Lane. Throw in the potential of up to six new injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s trip to London Road and Charlton’s squad is already looking thin. Depth and a defence, Charlton need them both.

Best Moment – Some excellent footwork from Pan Camara to glide past two Newport players on the touchline. A rare moment of real quality.

Star Man – Tayo Edun showed some glimpses on the left. Pacey, with the ability to beat a man. Hopefully more to come as he increases his fitness.