Charlton Athletic 2 v 0 Bristol Rovers

Tuesday 28th January 2025, Kick-off 19.45

EFL League One

The Valley, Charlton

Admission: Season Ticket

Programme: £3.50

Attendance: 11,149 (350 away)

A match report from a Charlton perspective can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

And from a Bristol Rovers perspective, by clicking here , also copied and pasted below

Brief video highlights can be read by clicking here

Godden and Edwards net as Addicks win again

Charlton 2 Bristol Rovers 0

The Addicks made it six wins in eight league games with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers to move within a point of the playoffs.

Matty Godden and Josh Edwards found the net in a scintillating first half for Nathan Jones' side, who were then able to see the game out with a 12th clean sheet of the season. 

Even before the game kicked off, the Charlton fans were celebrating as it was announced that Lloyd Jones has signed a new contract with the Addicks.

After a few early corners for the visitors the Addicks wrestled control and Thierry Small gave Rovers an early warning, cutting inside and dragging his shot just wide in the 12th minute.

It was just a minute later that the Addicks took the lead and Small was involved again, the wing back made good progress down the right and his cross eventually came to Tyreece Campbell on the edge of the area. Campbell cut inside but dragged his shot, which fell perfectly to Godden to guide home his 10th goal of the season. 

Rovers’ goalkeeper Josh Griffiths had an excellent spell in the middle of the first half. First he tipped Godden’s whipped shot over the crossbar, then he did well to tip away Luke Berry’s free kick and he was at full stretch to palm away Macaulay Gillesphey’s header from 16 yards. 

Griffiths’ best save though was denying Godden a second when the striker got a touch on Lloyd Jones’ header at goal, with the Rovers’ stopper able to keep him out at the second attempt.

After all the pressure Charlton’s second came when the ball fell to Edwards outside the penalty area. The Scot cut inside onto his weaker right foot and unleashed a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal that gave Griffiths no chance to keep the ball out.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s only save of the first half came six minutes before the break, with the Australian diving across goal to keep out Scott Sinclair’s free kick.

Charlton’s dominance was highlighted by Inigo Calderon’s decision to substitute Clinton Mola at half time. The left back had been booked for an early foul on Kayne Ramsay, and had suffered a torrid time at the hands of Small.

It wasn’t any easier for his replacement, Lino Sousa, who lost a foot race to Small four minutes after the break and was grateful to Griffiths, who narrowed the angle well, and blocked his shot behind for a corner. 

More substitutions followed for the visitors and the game settled, with Bristol Rovers winning plenty of possession but unable to do much with it.

Small had the next sight of goal when Godden fed him with a well-weighted pass after a lovely first touch. The wing back’s low shot was comfortable for the busy Griffiths. 

Griffiths again did well with a low save to keep out substitute Daniel Kanu with six minutes remaining and Small’s tackled follow-up went just wide of goal. Four minutes later Kanu curled just wide of goal.

The Addicks were rarely troubled with Maynard-Brewer keeping another clean sheet. Nathan Jones’ side travel to Blackpool on Saturday as they look to continue their good form.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey; Small, Coventry, Berry (Anderson 65), Docherty (c), Edwards (Edmonds-Green 90); Godden (Kanu 77), T.Campbell (Aneke 77)

Subs (not used): Mannion, A.Mitchell, Leaburn

Goals: Godden 13, Edwards 36

Assist: T.Campbell 13 

Booked: Docherty 88 (foul on Forde)

Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Moore, Wilson, Mola (Sousa 46), Sinclair (c) (O’Donkor 58), Ward (Hutchinson 58), Sotiriou (Thomas 77), Taylor, Martin, Forde, Lindsay (Sawyers 58)

Subs (not used): Hall, Senior

Booked: Mola 11 (foul on Ramsay)

Referee: Farai Hallam

Attendance: 11,149 (350 from Bristol Rovers)

------

Charlton Athletic 2-0 Bristol Rovers

Sky Bet League One, The Valley, Tuesday 28 January 2025

Bristol Rovers fell to a second consecutive 2-0 defeat on the road, with a pair of first-half goals giving Charlton Athletic all three points at The Valley.

Matty Godden opened the scoring with a clever finish early on for the Addicks before Josh Edwards doubled the tally with a powerful strike on 36 minutes.

It was no more than the home side deserved after forcing the ever-excellent Josh Grifiths into a number of late saves, with the Rovers No1 denying Godden, Luke Berry and Macaulay Gillesphey.

An improved second-half showing from the Gas threatened at least hope of a route back into the contest late on, but Charlton’s victory was warranted for their first-half efforts.

With six changes made to the starting XI from the weekend’s defeat at Wigan Athletic, the Gas started brightly at The Valley with three successive corners; the last of which saw Connor Taylor’s scrambled effort blocked and cleared.

Charlton stepped up the pressure and took the lead inside 13 minutes. Tyreece Campbell had a low effort from the edge of the area and, stepping into space, Godden flicked an effort past Griffiths and into the Rovers net.

Griffiths, as he has been on multiple occasions this season, made a string of impressive saves to deny the Addicks another goal. A ferocious shot by Godden was turned away as was Berry’s narrow free-kick and defender Gillesphey’s looping header.

But Nathan Jones’ side found their second on 36 minutes. A deserved one too, in truth, when Edwards slammed in a well-taken strike from outside the area.

Rovers tested Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer for the first time not long after. Scott Sinclair’s free-kick was powerful and on-target, but the shot-stopper was equal to the attempt as the home side took their two-goal advantage into half-time.

Head Coach Calderón made one change to the team at the start of the second half with Lino Sousa replacing Clinton Mola at left-back. That substitution was followed by another trio just before the hour mark. Gatlin O’Donkor, Isaac Hutchinson and Romaine Sawyers were also introduced in an effort to inspire a fightback from the visitors.

It was certainly an improved half from the Gas, who looked to cause Charlton problems without actually getting into the true danger zones. Forde and Sotiriou were close to latching onto through-balls, but could not get themselves into the right position.

O’Donkor threatened with bursting runs into the Charlton box but it was the home side who came closest to a third goal in the contest late on. Small’s curling shot was tipped away by Griffiths as defeat was inflicted on the Pirates.

Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Jones, Coventry, Campbell (Aneke 78), Berry (Anderson 65), Docherty ©, Edwards (Edmonds-Green 90), Godden (Kanu 78), Small

Subs not used: Mannion, Mitchell, Leaburn, 

Goals: Godden 13, Edwards 36

Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Moore, Wilson, Mola (Sousa 46), Sinclair © (O’Donkor 58), Ward (Hutchinson 58), Sotiriou (Thomas 77), Taylor, Martin, Forde, Lindsay (Sawyers 58)

Subs not used: Hall, Senior

Booked: Mola

Referee: Farai Hallam

Attendance: 11,149 (350 away)

Image

Charlton Athletic 1 v 0 Shrewsbury Town

Saturday 25th January 2025, Kick-off 15.00
EFL League One
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.50
Attendance: 12,999 (521 away)

A match report from a Charlton perspective can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

And from a Shrewsbury perspective, by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

Brief video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

Small nets stoppage-time winner as Addicks tame Shrews

Charlton 1 Shrewsbury Town 0

Thierry Small netted a dramatic, stoppage-time winner, in front of the Covered End as the Addicks moved within two points of the play-offs by beating Shrewsbury Town 1-0 at The Valley.

The win was Charlton’s fifth in seven league games and the clean sheet their 11th of the season. 

For the seventh league game in a row Nathan Jones named an unchanged starting lineup and the Addicks started well with Luke Berry forcing a save from goalkeeper Jamal Blackman with a low free kick that went through the wall. 

Tyreece Campbell was Charlton’s biggest threat in the opening half and saw his driven cross cleared off the line after he had done excellently to beat his man to the byline.

The best chance of the half fell to Small, who received the ball at the end of a lovely passing move. Cutting in from the right, onto his stronger left foot, the wing back curled a shot just over the crossbar. 

At the other end, Shrewsbury failed to test the Addicks in the opening 45, recording an xg of 0.00.

Blackman was called into action again three minutes into the second half, getting down quickly to keep out a Miles Leaburn header.

Greg Docherty then saw his shot, from 10 yards, hit teammate Berry after some intricate interplay down the left by Josh Edwards and Campbell. 

The visitors first shot at goal came in the 72nd minute with Ashley Maynard-Brewer getting down comfortably to keep out John Marquis.

With Nathan Jones using his game-changers, Kayne Ramsay returned to the pitch for his first appearance since suffering an injury against Stockport County in October.

Shrewsbury nearly completed a snatch and grab in the fourth minute of stoppage time with Lloyd Jones clearing off the line from Luca Hoole.

Minutes after that it was Thierry-time, Josh Edwards got his head to a loose ball and the ball dropped to Small in the penalty box who made no mistake, sliding the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs with his weaker right foot. The moment got the celebration it deserved, as Small charged to the Covered End to celebrate in front of the home fans.

The Addicks are back at The Valley on Tuesday for the visit of Bristol Rovers.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; A.Mitchell (Ramsay 74), Jones, Gillesphey; Small, Coventry, Berry (Anderson 74), Docherty (c) (Godden 74), Edwards; Leaburn (Aneke 63), T.Campbell

Subs (not used): Mannion, Edmonds-Green, Kanu

Goal: Small 90+6

Booked: Jones 69 (foul on Lloyd), Anderson 83 (foul on Perry)

Shrewsbury Town: Blackman, Hoole, Benning, M.Feeney, J.Feeney, Lloyd, Ojo (Perry 78), Gilliead, Castledine (Shipley 58), Nsiala (Nurse 83), Marquis (c)

Subs (not used): Savin, Biggins, Gape, Stewart

Booked: Ojo 37 (foul on T.Campbell)

Referee: Scott Tallis

Attendance: 12,999 (531 from Shrewsbury)

-------------------------

Match Report | Charlton 1-0 Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Town suffered stoppage time heartbreak as a 96th-minute goal from Thierry Small saw Charlton secure a 1-0 win at The Valley.

Just seconds earlier, it was Salop who almost won it with Jordan Shipley seeing an effort cleared off the line.

Gareth Ainsworth's side had battled brilliantly throughout - with every player leaving everything on the field.

But in a cruel twist, the hosts won it with virtually the last kick of the game.

Team news:

Boss Ainsworth made one change from the team which secured the cross-border bragging rights by beating Wrexham.

After coming off at half-time with a hamstring injury in that game, Aaron Pierre missed the trip to London with Toto Nsiala replacing him in the back three.

It meant Town remained in a 3-5-2 formation with John Marquis partnering George Lloyd up front.

Charlton named an unchanged side for the seventh match in a row with Nathan Jones' team lining up in a 4-2-3-1 system.

It saw Miles Leaburn operate as the central striker with Luke Berry just behind in the number 10 role. Small and Tyreece Campbell were the widemen.

Report:

It was Charlton who had the game's first sight on goal in the eighth minute.

After winning a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, Berry managed to curl the ball around the wall and on target.

But Jamal Blackman was equal to it, with the goalkeeper doing well to get down and parry the ball away.

Salop had looked dangerous on the break during the opening 20 minutes, with Ainsworth's men getting into some advanced areas without making that final pass.

The hosts, though, came a whisker away from opening the scoring just before the half-hour mark when Campbell did well to dance his way to the byline.

The winger then sent in a cross/shot which Morgan Feeney did really well to hack clear off the line.

Moments later, Small cut into the box firing over.

It was the hosts who threatened first following the re-start with Blackman making a smart stop to keep out Leaburn's header following a corner.

Jones' side had another big chance just before the hour mark when Campbell hit the byline and sent in a cross that fell kindly for Greg Docherty.

The midfielder looked destined to score but his effort hit was blocked by Berry with Town then able to clear.

Ainsworth responded by making his first change just after - with Shipley replacing Leo Castledine. 

Mal Benning then whipped in a dangerous free-kick but Town couldn't get that final touch to turn the ball home.

With the game opening up due to tired legs, Salop had a decent opportunity to open the scoring.

Lloyd and Shipley combined well to find Marquis who had charged into the box.

And the striker then hit a low drive that was well-claimed by the keeper.

The next two big moments in the game both came at the end of six minutes added on time.

First Luca Hoole sent a brilliant ball into the box that was met by Shipley. 

The midfielder turned the ball towards goal but - sliding in - a defender cleared it off the line.

With just moments to go, it looked like Town would hold on for an excellent point.

But in the 96th minute, the ball broke for Small in the box who made no mistake from eight yards.

Teams: 

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, Mitchell (Ramsay 75), Jones, Coventry, Campbell, Berry (Anderson 75), Docherty (Godden 75), Leaburn (Aneke 63), Edwards, Small.

Subs not used: Mannion, Edmonds-Green, Kanu.

Shrewsbury: Blackman, Nsiala (Nurse 83), J. Feeney, M. Feeney, Hoole, Gilliead, Ojo (Perry 78), Castledine (Shipley 59), Benning, Lloyd, Marquis.

Subs not used: Savin, Biggins, Gape, Stewart.

Attendance: 12,999 (531 away).

Bexhill United 11 v 1 Westfield

Wednesday 22nd January 2025, Kick-off 19.30

Friendly

The Polegrove, Bexhill-on-Sea

Admission: £2.00

Programme: None

Attendance: 50 (estimate)

Mangotsfield United 4 v 1 Brimscombe & Thrupp

Saturday 18th January 2025, Kick-off 15.00

Hellenic League Premier Division

Cossham Street, Mangotsfield

Admission: £8.00

Programme: £2.00

Attendance: 215

A match report from a Brimscombe perspective can be read by clicking here

Larkhall Athletic 0 v 2 Yate Town

Saturday 18th January 2025, Kick-off 15.00

Southern League Division One South

Plain Ham, Bath

Admission: £11.00

Programme: £2.00

Attendance: 145

A match report from a Yate perspective can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below

Video highlights of the goals can be viewed by clicking here

Match Report

Larkhall Athletic 0 Yate Town 2  (Baidoo 3, Stearn pen 42)

Southern League Division One South

Saturday 18th January 2025

Yate Town made the short journey to Larkhall and on a cold and dank afternoon were comfortable winners with two first half goals securing all three points.

At a ground that has seen impressive improvements since the Bluebells last visit nine months ago, Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, made a number of changes from the side that beat Bashley 3-1 two weeks earlier, giving debuts to new forward King Baidooo and goalkeeper Joe Thomas, on loan from Championship side Cardiff City. With Joe Guest suspended and Ollie Dewsbury’s returning to Bristol Rovers it was Stan Wyatt, and returning from injury Marlon Jackson, who came in to the side with Lucas Tomlinson on the bench.

Yate Town started very brightly on the new 3G pitch and after a flowing move down the right James Taylor drove into the Larkhall penalty area and following some excellent close control delivered the perfect cross to the far post that was gleefully headed home, on his debut, by King Baidoo after just three minutes.

James Taylor was looking to attack at every opportunity and he shot straight at Larkhall goalkeeper Adam Forster from 20 yards four minutes later.

With Yate Town dominant, Larkhall’s first effort on goal came in the 19th minutes from Jack Camm, but his shot from 30 yards was well off target. Another good move from Yate involving Lloyd James ended with Stan Wyatt’s cross just evading King Baidoo.

Evrard Yao shot wide from 25 yards for the home side and on the half hour Marlon Jackson worked himself space in the penalty area to deliver a pass to King Biadoo whose shot hit the post before going out of play.

Shortly afterwards Jackson robbed a home defender and set up Ross Stearn who missed an excellent chance to extend the Bluebell’s lead by shooting into the side netting.

A minute later Joe Thomas called into action for the first time as he superbly tipped over a shot from Evrard Yao with a flying save to preserve the visitor’s lead.

Stan Wyatt shot over the bar and with three minutes remaining before half time King Biadoo was brought down in the penalty area by Sam Boulton and, for the second successive game, Ross Stearn cooly slotted the penalty kick home to put the Bluebells 2-0 up.

The second half had little goalmouth action with Yate content to sit on their lead. There was a flurry of activity in the Yate penalty area ten minutes into the half but the ball was eventually cleared and Stan Wyatt and substitute Lucas Tomlinson tried their luck from the edge of the penalty area but each was just off target and didn’t trouble Forster in the home goal. Both teams made a number of substitutions and the game petered out to a satisfactory conclusion for the league leaders, Yate Town, who now have a 8 points lead over second placed Exmouth Town, plus a game in hand.

The Bluebells are home next Saturday when they entertain Malvern Town.

Yate Town: Thomas, Taylor (Larvin 73) Christopher, Hall, Dempsey, James, Wyatt, Byrne, Stearn, Jackson (Lenihan 78), Baidoo (Tomlinson 63)

Unused sub: Felix, McMillan

Bookings: None

Larkhall Athletic: Forster, Goodall, Bradley, Boulton, Merrett, Camm (Oppong 50), Williams, Hicks, Yao (Prior 76), Simons (Lambert 56), Mortimer-Taylor

Unused subs: Peapell, Harvey-Larmer (GK)

Booking: Boulton (42)

Referee: John Duffy

Attendance: 325

Photographs by Aaron Norman

Yate Town Man of the Match: Lewis Hall