Charlton Athletic FC Secure Wembley Spot with Thrilling Play-Off Win
In a nail-biting encounter at The Valley, Charlton Athletic FC defeated Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 to secure their place in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 25th. The Addicks’ hero was Matty Godden, who scored the decisive goal with nine minutes remaining to send the home fans into raptures.
According to Charlton’s official website, the atmosphere at The Valley was electric, with the home fans packing out the stadium to create a wonderful atmosphere throughout the match. Manager Nathan Jones made two changes from the first leg, bringing in Thierry Small and Alex Gilbert to replace Tennai Watson and the injured Luke Berry.
The match got off to a cagey start, with Wycombe Wanderers attempting to take the sting out of the game. However, Charlton had the better of the period, finishing the stronger and coming closest to opening the scoring seven minutes before the break. Godden dinked a wonderful cross to the back post, but Lloyd Jones wasn’t able to direct his header goalwards from close range.
In the second half, Charlton kept the momentum going, with Gilbert seeing a shot blocked at the back post after getting on the end of a Macaulay Gillesphey flick-on. At the other end, Gillesphey did well to deny Wycombe’s Richard Kone, showing him onto his weaker foot and forcing him to shoot wide. Charlton’s website reports that Thierry Small then came close, cutting inside from the right onto his stronger left foot and shooting inches wide of goal.
The Addicks added to their club record clean sheets in a season, notching their 25th, thanks in part to an outstanding performance from Kayne Ramsay. The defender made a crucial double block to keep out Wycombe’s Garath McCleary and Xavier Simons.
The magic moment came with nine minutes remaining, when Gillesphey’s diagonal ball forward was touched down by Lloyd Jones and bounced into the path of Godden, who poked home from three yards out. Charlton’s official website states that the Charlton bench and Covered End erupted in unison for a special moment under the lights.
Charlton were able to settle themselves and see the game out to secure a 1-0 aggregate win and book their place at Wembley for a London derby against Leyton Orient. The team’s manager, Nathan Jones, will be looking to lead his side to promotion to the Championship.
Team Line-Ups:
Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey; Small (Aneke 70), Gilbert (Anderson 84), Coventry, Docherty (c), Edwards; Godden, Campbell (Watson 89)
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Mitchell, Kanu, Mbick
Goal: Godden 81
Assist: Jones 81
Booked: Docherty 44 (foul on Leahy), Godden 90
Wycombe Wanderers: Ravizzoli, Grimmer (c), Simons (Sadlier 87), Leahy, Udoh, McCleary (Westergaard 87), Humphreys, Kone (Onyedinma 73), Bradley, Taylor, Reach (Kodua 87)
Subs (not used): George, Bakinson, Low
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 25,722 (1,600 from Wycombe)
This thrilling play-off win marks a significant milestone for Charlton Athletic FC, who will now face Leyton Orient at Wembley Stadium in the League One play-off final. According to Charlton’s official website, the team will be looking to secure promotion to the Championship.
