Charlton Athletic 3-1 Lincoln City, League One: report, ratings and verdict

VS.

Charlton Athletic 4-3-3

3

1

Lincoln City 4-1-4-1

Half Time: 0 - 0 The Valley ( Attendance: NA )
1 min

Charlton Athletic will take their League One Play-Off fight to the final day after a Chuks Aneke inspired second-half saw them beat Lincoln City 3-1 at The Valley. 

The first-half was bereft of quality from either side with Charlton’s only shot coming in injury time when Liam Millar blazed over from 20 yards. 

However, Aneke’s half-time introduction instantly paid dividends as the forward expertly cushioned a clipped ball from Alex Gilbey down to Jayden Stockley to rifle home just two minutes after the break.

The Imps almost equalised immediately as Callum Morgan went through 1-on-1 but Charlton keeper Ben Amos was quick off his line to deflect the effort out for a corner. 

Charlton then doubled their advantage in the 65th minute as Albie Morgan’s corner was met by Ryan Inniss at the back post who headed powerfully beyond Alex Palmer.

And the icing was on the cake two minutes later when Ian Maatsen stole the ball on the half-way line, found Millar who drove into the Lincoln box before feeding Aneke whose side-footed shot deflected off TJ Eyoma into the back of the net.

Joe Walsh pulled one back for Lincoln two minutes from time but Charlton saw the rest of the game out to claim a vital victory. 

The result leaves Charlton in eighth but crucially now just a point away from sixth place Portsmouth going into Sunday’s finale.

Key Points

Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…

Key Moment

The second Charlton goal gave Nigel Adkins’ side the much-needed cushion to all but seal a vital win.

Moan of the Match

The lack of any kind of short passing in the opening 45 minutes was tedious and Charlton’s persistence with long balls up to Jayden Stockley was pitifully ineffective.

Talking Point

Why was Chuks Aneke not playing from the start? Charlton were a completely different beast in the second-half after his introduction at the interval.

Man of the Match

Chuks Aneke – a game-changing 45 minutes with a goal and assist to help keep Charlton’s Play-Off hopes alive.

Tweet of the Match

Referee Watch

Kevin Johnson (Somerset) – an injury after half an hour forced him into an early substitution with fourth official Carl Brook taking centre stage and performing admirably.

Atmosphere

Chuks Aneke’s name would’ve rung all around The Valley but the Charlton supporters will be back soon… and who knows, maybe even in the Championship?!

Verdict

After a poor first-half, Charlton can take plenty of positives from the second-half looking ahead to the final game of the season against an already promoted Hull City.

Line Ups

Charlton Athletic 4-3-3

Amos; Matthews, Inniss, Famewo, Purrington ((Aneke, 46) (Pratley, 90+1)); Gilbey, Watson, Forster-Caskey (Morgan, 38); Maatsen, Stockley, Millar

Subs not used:

Gunter, Pearce, Washington, Maynard-Brewer

Booked

Purrington, Aneke, Pratley

Lincoln City 4-1-4-1

Palmer; Poole, Montsma, Eyoma (Walsh, 71), Bramall (Sanders, 63); Grant (Hopper, 71); Anderson, Jones, Edun, Scully (Howarth, 57); Morton

Subs not used:

McGrandles, Rogers, Long

Booked

Bramall, Jones

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