Thursday 26th December 2024, Kick-off 15.00
EFL League One
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.50
Attendance: 14,369 (592 away)
A match report from a Charlton perspective can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below
And from a Cambridge perspective by clicking here , also copied and pasted below
Brief video highlights can be viewed by clicking here
Back-to-back wins as Addicks beat Cambridge
Charlton 2 Cambridge United 1
It was a positive Boxing Day for the Addicks who made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 victory at home to Cambridge United.
Academy graduates Tyreece Campbell and Miles Leaburn netted their second goals in as many games in a controlled opening 20 minutes and although the visitors pulled a goal back Charlton were able to see the game out to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four games.
It was the perfect start for Charlton with Tyreece Campbell giving the Addicks the lead in the 36th second. Conor Coventry intercepted a Cambridge throw-in and Leaburn, near the half-way line hooked the ball in behind the Cambridge defence for Tyreece Campbell to run on to. The 21-year-old was first to the ball and finished through the goalkeeper’s legs from a tight angle.
The Addicks were denied a second thanks to a crucial tackle from Jubril Okedina who stopped Tyreece Campbell’s low cross finding Greg Docherty at the back post for what looked like a certain goal. Nathan Jones’ side scored from the resulting long throw – Macauley Gillesphey, at the near post, flicked on Josh Edwards’ hurl into the box and Leaburn jumped highest to head home from close range under pressure from Cambridge stopper Vicente Reyes.
The visitors first half chance at goal came in the 28th minute when former Addick, Sullay Kaikai, blasted the ball over the crossbar.
Just before the half-time break Thierry Small, playing again at right wing back, got to the byline with a nice bit of trickery and dug out a cross, which was defended well to ensure Leaburn’s header didn’t find the target.
Docherty had the first chance of the second half, seizing on a loose ball in midfield and forcing a save from Reyes with a driven shot.
Cambridge, who had made a double change at the break, pulled a goal back seven minutes into the second period with their first big chance of the game when substitute Liam Bennett got to the byline and squared for Elias Kachunga to tap into an empty net.
The visitors then nearly levelled when a loose ball fell to Kaikai in the Charlton penalty area. The winger cut inside onto his right foot and had Ashley Maynard-Brewer beaten as his shot cannoned back off the post.
After the Cambridge pressure, the Addicks responded, with Small cutting in and curling a shot just wide. Berry was denied first by an excellent Reyes save, then by a brave Cambridge block and then by a more comfortable save from Reyes.
The Addicks were able to comfortably see the game out to send home happy the Boxing Day crowd at The Valley.
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; A.Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Small, Docherty (c), Coventry, Berry (Edmonds-Green 90+4), Edwards; Leaburn (Anderson 90), T.Campbell (Ahadme 90)
Subs (not used): Mannion, A.Campbell, Hylton, Godden
Goals: T.Campbell 1, Leaburn 20
Assists: Leaburn 1, Gillesphey 20
Cambridge United: Reyes, Morrison (c), Watts (Andrew 46), Brophy, Kachunga (Loft 85), Kaikai, Smith, Okedina, Ibsen Rossi (Bennett 46), Stokes (Nlundulu 68), Cousins
Subs (not used): Stevens, Njoku, Longelo
Goal: Kachunga 52
Assist: Bennett 52
Booked: Brophy 63 (dissent), Morrison 73 (foul on Leaburn)
Referee: John Busby
Attendance: 14,369 (592 from Cambridge)
Report: Charlton 2-1 Cambridge United
U’s fall short after suffering a 2-1 loss on the road to Charlton Athletic…
Two early goals from the Addicks made it too much off a challenge for United who couldn’t find an equaliser, despite Kachunga’s strike early in the second half breathing life into the contest as the U's rallied late on, to no avail.
Garry Monk named four changes to the side that lost to Huddersfield Town, as as Kaikai, Smith, Ibsen Rossi and Stokes came into the team.
It was a nightmare start as the hosts opened the scoring with only seconds on the clock, as Tyreece Campbell finished past Reyes from a narrow angle to give the Addicks an early advantage.
United looked as though they had steadied the ship following the early set-back with a good spell of possession, but Charlton had their second on the 21st minute, as a long throw was flicked onto the head of Miles Leaburn, who beat Reyes to the ball to double the hosts lead.
United did manage to get a foothold in the game to keep the Addicks attack at bay as they got to the break without further damage, however a lack of creativity with the ball saw Monk's men unable to test Maynard-Brewer in the Charlton net.
Following the break, the U’s changed shape with Ibsen Rossi and Watts making way for Bennett and Andrew. It was a much more attacking and direct start to the half, as United looked to use wide areas to their advantage.
With less than 10 minutes played, a fine attacking move saw United find a breakthrough. Stokes with the time to advance the ball before playing in Bennett, who fired it across goal for the well-placed Kachunga to tap home and give the U’s a life line.
The goal gave the U’s a real boost and added extra intensity to their play as a few minutes later, Kaikai found himself in possession just inside the Addicks box, but saw his effort crash off the woodwork in what was nearly a superb equaliser.
U’s battled away looking for an equaliser, the best opportunites coming to Kachunga - who blazed wide on the volley - and Nlundulu - who couldn't divert his teammates cross towards goal - but Charlton managed to see out the victory to make it back-to-back defeats for United.
It's another return to London in four days time, as they face Leyton Orient on Sunday 29 December.
Referee: John Busby
Attendance: 14,369 (592 away fans)
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