The lowdown on Charlton 1 Orient 0 – Aneke produces sub impact once again in deserved victory

Luke Berry scored a late stoppage-time winner for Charlton Athletic as they claimed a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient.

The Addicks have a 100 per cent record in League One.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Jones, A Mitchell, Edwards (Small 27), Coventry, Docherty, Berry, Ahadme (Godden 77), Campbell (Aneke 77). Subs not used: Maynard-Brewer, Watson, Anderson, Kanu.
Leyton Orient: Hemming, Clare, Cooper (Beckles 66), Happe, James (Sweeney 74), Donley (Jaiyesimi 70), Brown, Obiero (Warrington 66), Kelman, O’Neill (Perkins 70), Agyei. Subs not used: Howes, Pratley.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

The Addicks deserved to win despite not carving out a huge amount of chances. Nathan Jones’ side look fit and strong and ramped up the pressure in the second half with a number of the Orient players cramping up as they struggled with the intensity of the match. It was an excellent finish by Berry, as he confidently converted from Chuks Aneke’s flick-on. Two wins and two clean sheets, while not being at their totally fluid best, is a very good sign.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Jones stuck with his 3-5-2 formation but was forced into an early change after a shocking challenge by Sean Clare led to Josh Edwards being stretchered off in the 27th minute. It was a real shame as the Scot had started strongly down the left wing. Thierry Small is a very good replacement and was an outlet as the match wore on, but he did overhit one cross when his side looked in a promising attacking position. Chuks Aneke’s introduction definitely paid off in the closing stages, the big striker’s physicality was an instant issue for the O’s and he produced the flick-on for Berry’s first goal since his summer move from Luton Town.

STAR MAN
Kayne Ramsay. There were quite a few solid showings but the right wing-back looked so classy on the ball. Had the quality to beat his opponent to bring the ball out of defence and there was one quality switch of play to Small in the second half. Just looked so composed.

BEST MOMENT

The goal. The Valley exploded after Berry broke the deadlock and Jones went racing down the touchline to join in the celebrations.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Corner kicks. I’m sorry, but they just weren’t very good.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

Sean Clare’s booking for that foul on Edwards. Referee Edward Duckworth was lenient on some robust challenges – probably in a failed attempt to let the match flow. There is little doubt that Clare, who was released by Charlton at the end of last season, would have been sent off if VAR was being used. One particular replay angle was particularly damning. Home supporters booed his every touch afterwards and were baying for a red after he clashed with Matty Godden in an aerial challenge that left the Charlton striker down on the turf. Duckworth puzzlingly resumed with a drop ball but not in the position the clash took place.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“The credit is to the players. We have given them a way of playing and a set of things we need to do every day – they implement that. We are not getting carried away. We’re a million miles where we were when I first came in, in terms of everything.”