The lowdown on Walsall 0 Charlton Athletic 4 – Addicks march into FA Cup third round with comprehensive win

Charlton remain on course to replicate their famous 1947 FA Cup win after a thumping 4-0 win at League Two Walsall.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Walsall: Simkin, McEntee, Allen, Williams, Barrett, Gordon, Lakin (Hall 69), Comley (Stirk 45), Jellis (Earing 19), Lowe (Johnson 69), Adomah (Matt 45). Subs not used: Hornby, Daniels, Okagbue, Weir.

Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, A Mitchell, Edwards, Edmonds-Green, Coventry (A Campbell 88), Berry (T Campbell 63), Taylor, Godden (Small 63), Ahadme (Hylton 88), Anderson (Laqeretabua 89). Subs not used: Reid, Potts, Edun, Kanu.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

A brace from Gassan Ahadme – one goal in either half – plus a first-half strike from Matty Godden and Tyreece Campbell’s late goal secured a comfortable path into the hat for round three for the South Londoners.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Nathan Jones opted for a back-four with a diamond in the middle, as Miles Leaburn dropped out of the squad with Terry Taylor to sit at the base of the midfield. They had a two-goal lead to protect and Jones switched to a 3-5-2 on the hour-mark to see the game out as Thierry Small slotted in at wing-back on the left. And it worked as the Addicks strolled to the finish line with ease.

STAR MAN

Terry Taylor. Complimented Conor Coventry superbly in the midfield. The two of them have only started two league games together this term – surely there’s room to get them both in the side.

BEST MOMENT

The Gasman’s opening goal. Wonderful cross from Coventry and Ahadme attacked the header superbly.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

It was a lack of foresight rather than pessimism that Charlton wouldn’t reach the next round – but I’ve already shelled out for travel to Bolton on third round weekend. I might be the only Addick hoping Charlton pull Wigan away out of the hat.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

That’s the most clinical the Addicks have been this term. It may have been against opposition from the division below, but many had Walsall as favourites coming into the tie due to their excellent form in League Two.

Charlton dealt with them comfortably. They took their chances and in reality, limited the Saddlers to very few. Why have they not been able to replicate this in the league?

Gassan Ahadme’s brace is a case in point. Two well taken, aggressive headers in front of goal which he’s been unable to repeat as often as he’d like in league action.

They have to follow this up now on Tuesday against Crawley at The Valley.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“Thoroughly professional performance. These were favourites coming into the game because of their league form and because they were at home. We dealt with that fantastically well.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS