The lowdown on Wigan Athletic 0 Charlton Athletic 1 – Addicks off to a winning start after cagey opening day affair

Charlton Athletic kicked off their 2024-25 League One season with a win as they edged Wigan Athletic 1-0 at the Brick Community Stadium this afternoon.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Charlton Athletic: Mannion, Gillesphey, Jones, Mitchell, Edwards, Anderson, Coventry, Docherty (Berry 90), Ramsay (Watson 74), Campbell (Kanu 74), Ahadme (Aneke 74). Subs not used: Edmonds-Green, Maynard-Brewer, Small.

Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Chambers, Sessegnon (Ramsay 61), Aimson (Hughes 73), Kerr, M Smith (S Smith 80), Adeeko, Aasgaard, Sze (Jones 60), Rankine, Hugill (Stones 73). Subs not used: Carragher, Lonergan.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

A cagey opening day encounter that the Addicks edged thanks to defender Lloyd Jones’ strike inside the final ten minutes. Chances were few and far between but Charlton stuck to their guns and were rewarded late on.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Wigan dominated possession but that seemed to suit Charlton who were structured and looking to pick their hosts off on the turnover. The South Londoners held Shaun Maloney’s side at arm’s length in a first-half that saw little in the way of chances at either end. The ‘Tics started to turn up the pressure around the hour-mark, with Nathan Jones responding by introducing Chuks Aneke and Daniel Kanu from the bench. And the visitors edged their way back into it enough to force that one moment that secured all three points.

STAR MAN

Josh Edwards. A strong debut, winning plenty of challenges to break up Wigan’s forays down the Addicks left.

BEST MOMENT

Lloyd Jones’ arrowed finish. The ball sat up at a difficult height, but the defender adjusted his body to lash a controlled finish beyond Sam Tickle.

MOAN OF THE MATCH
It’s going to come up at some point this season so let’s get it out of the way early. The 5.30pm kick-off, shifted as part of Sky TV’s new offering, did the Addicks’ travelling support no favours. Many who are journeying back this evening won’t arrive in South London until the early hours. That such changes will happen more frequently this campaign is not a cause for celebration for those who like to support their clubs on the road.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

What did we learn about the new look Addicks today? They were more structured than last season. That’s not to say they didn’t give up chances – Wigan had two very good ones at the start of the second-half as Baba Adeeko misfired eight yards out and Thelo Aasgaard delayed long enough for Kayne Ramsay to execute a last-ditch challenge. But there were signs things had headed in the right direction at the back. They only kept one clean sheet on the road all of last season – they’ve equalled that on day one.

There’s still more to come on the ball. Charlton didn’t look like an irresistible attacking force. At times they were missing a Corey Blackett-Taylor type who could create something out of nothing and Nathan Jones will still want to find a way to engineer more chances. But it’s three points on the road. Their first away win of this season comes in the same stadium as it did last season. Only nearly three months earlier. You have to take that.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“It’s a hard-fought win. They’re a very tricky side to play. They have a very good structure. They’re really well coached. The game was won in both boxes. We were outstanding in our own box and got the goal in theirs.

“We could have been better, more fluid in possession. But look, we’re away from home. It’s a 5.30pm kick-off. We’ve had a massive journey up yesterday, six-and-a-half hours. Let’s take all of those things into consideration. We looked energetic. A clean sheet away from home, I can’t ask for more.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS