Telly Addicks: Charlton’s Ben Reeves drew inspiration from television programme for assist during win over Plymouth
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Charlton midfielder Ben Reeves credited something he had seen on television for his assist during Saturday’s late win over Plymouth Argyle.
The 26-year-old floated a first-time cross over to the far-post, where Igor Vetokele inadvertently diverted the ball into the path of Karlan Grant. The Addicks striker drove home his second goal of the game to edge Lee Bowyer’s side ahead with just two minutes left of normal time – after the Addicks had spent last parts of the second-half camped in the Pilgrims’ half.
“[Lewis Page] set the ball back,” explained Reeves.
“It was on TV the other day about someone setting the ball back and getting the cross in first time. So, I just thought cross it first time rather than take a touch because then they could set themselves a little bit. So, I just thought get it in. I couldn’t see what happened with Igor (Vetokele) and Lyle (Taylor). Then I saw it drop to Karlan and I just knew he was going to score.
“I saw Karlan on his own there and thought please drop to him and it did. Luckily, he got his goal. You get Lyle, one day he doesn’t score and Karlan turns up and he scores. It’s good for us at the moment.
“We were saying at half-time that these are the sort of games that you look back at if you draw and you think we needed a win there. Maybe at the start of the season you’d say the Sunderland game or the Accrington game you’d think we should really be winning those games.
“I think all the boys had the feeling we would get the win. Luckily it was right at the end. It’s a big win for us, that.”
Grant’s brace over the weekend means that he and strike partner Taylor have already hit the back of the net ten times between them this season.
“Those two have been brilliant but the rest of the boys have been brilliant as well,” said Reeves, who missed the start of the campaign through injury.
“Pearcy (Jason Pearce), Sols (Chris Solly). Naby (Sarr) was brilliant when he came in. Pagey’s been brilliant all year. Josh (Cullen), I really like playing next to him, he’s really good. Wardy (Jamie Ward), I know from Northern Ireland so I know what he’s like and where he wants the ball. It’s good for me. Joe (Aribo), I played with him last year, he’s brilliant.
“Even the boys on the bench and in the rest of the squad. We’ve got a great squad this year and we can all look at each other and be happy playing next to whoever we’re going to play with.
“The shape is working as well but I know Bows likes to change it. The boys are comfortable with whatever shape he wants to play at the moment which is good. The main thing is we’re all working hard for each other. That’s one of the big positives this year, we’re all working for each other.
“The main thing for me is just to keep going and help the team. Hopefully I can keep doing that. The boys are scoring at the top. They’re doing their jobs and the rest of us do our job and hopefully chip in with a few goals as well.”
Photos: Kyle Andrews