Charlton Athletic Secure Top-Six Place with Hard-Fought Win Over Northampton Town
Charlton Athletic secured a crucial three points in their bid for a top-six finish in League One with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Northampton Town at The Valley on Easter Monday. The win, which was secured courtesy of a 72nd-minute winner from Josh Godden, marked a significant milestone for the Addicks as they moved to within five points of second-placed Wycombe Wanderers.
According to Charlton’s official website, the home side took the lead in the ninth minute through an excellent volleyed finish from Luke Berry. The goal came courtesy of a delightful cross from the right by Godden, which bounced off a Northampton defender into the path of Berry, who converted with a controlled volley from 12 yards out.
However, Northampton Town were quick to level the scores, with Dara Costelloe stepping up confidently to smash home a penalty kick in the 15th minute. The penalty was awarded after a curled cross from the visitors’ left wing hit the hand of Tom McIntyre, and referee Ollie Tayes had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
The game settled into a cautious rhythm after the early goals, with neither side able to find another clear-cut chance for the remainder of the first half. Aaron McGowan headed wide from a corner, while Berry had a shot blocked and Kayne Ramsay’s header didn’t have enough power to trouble Lee Burge.
The second half got off to a nervy start for Charlton, with Northampton Town enjoying a period of pressure. However, the Addicks began to regain control of the game, with Berry continuing to cause problems for the Northampton defence. The midfielder headed just wide from a Ramsay cross, before showing some neat footwork and forcing Burge into a save low to his left.
Godden, who has been in prolific form for Charlton this season, came close to scoring on 65 minutes, but his header from a wonderful Thierry Small cross from the left rattled the crossbar. However, the striker was not to be denied, and four minutes later he scored his 18th goal of the season. Will Mannion’s long ball was flicked on by Chuks Aneke into the path of Godden, making a well-timed run in behind the Northampton defence. The Addicks’ striker was predictably cool, slotting his shot underneath the onrushing Burge.
Charlton held on relatively comfortably to secure the three points, with results elsewhere meaning the Addicks moved to within five points of second-placed Wycombe Wanderers. As Charlton’s official website reports, the win marked a significant milestone for the Addicks in their bid for a top-six finish.
The Charlton team that took to the pitch included: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones, McIntyre (Aneke 54); Small, Berry (Anderson 88), Coventry, Docherty (c) (Gilbert 69), Edwards; Godden (Mbick 88), Campbell (Watson 88). The substitutes not used were: Maynard-Brewer, Ahadme.
In a post-match summary, Charlton’s official website noted that the Addicks had secured a hard-fought win, with Godden’s 72nd-minute winner proving to be the decisive goal.
The Northampton Town team that faced Charlton included: Burge, McGowan (c), Perry, Pinnock, Costelloe, McGeehan, Roberts (Wilson 82), Mbete (Dyche 46), Odimayo (Magloire 69), Fosu (Hondermarck 70), Eyoma. The substitutes not used were: Tzanev, Dadge, Baldwin.
The referee for the match was Ollie Yates, and the attendance at The Valley was 20,198, with 1,238 supporters from Northampton Town in attendance.
Source: Charlton’s official website.
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