Charlton Athletic 0-1 AFC Wimbledon, Carabao Cup First Round: report, ratings and verdict

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Charlton Athletic 4-3-3

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1

AFC Wimbledon 3-4-1-2

Half Time: 0 - 1 The Valley ( Attendance: 3,372 (584) )
1 min

AFC Wimbledon edged past Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup First Round with a 1-0 victory away at The Valley.

Both sides were slow to get into gear in the opening stages as misplaced passes disrupted any attacking promise – although it was the hosts who posed the biggest threat through set-pieces and crosses.

Ben Watson then had a shot hacked clear as Charlton increased the pressure before Wimbledon opened the scoring in the 26th minute through a quick counter-attacking move.

Henry Lawrence found Paul Osew with some excellent play down the flank before the wing-back fired home from a tight angle.

And the Dons could have doubled their advantage just three minutes later when they had a close-ranged shot cleared off the line by Jacob Roddy.

Charlton’s best chance of an equaliser came in the 56th minute after a simple lofted ball split the Wimbledon defence, but keeper Nik Tzanev managed to tip Josh Davison’s effort over the bar.

Dapo Mebude came close to doubling the Dons’ lead almost immediately but his curling effort after a promising run went just wide of the post.

Key Points

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

Key Moment

Josh Davison’s one-on-one chance denied by Nik Tzanev could have swung the momentum in the home side’s favour if it had ended up in the back of the net.

Moan of the Match

Charlton had spells of possession particularly at the start of the first-half but eased off the pressure when they could have really tested Wimbledon’s left-hand side.

Talking Point

Wimbledon’s youngsters looked lively and assured despite their lack of experience – after Ayoub Assal’s spectacular rise last season, which of the youngsters will be next to leave a lasting impression?

Man of the Match

Ben Heneghan – the Wimbledon centre-half and captain didn’t put a foot wrong as he won headers, intercepted passes and led a young starting XI to a clean sheet.

Tweet of the Match

Referee Watch

Robert Lewis (Shropshire) – a solid display who rightly called fouls when they were made, despite the boos he received from the frustrated home fans.

Atmosphere

Both sets of supporters at either end of the Valley were in full voice throughout the 90 minutes as they provided a sense of normality back to proceedings.

Verdict

Wimbledon did the fundamentals well, defending as a unit and limiting Charlton’s opportunities, although the home side worryingly struggled for creativity and made it relatively easy for their London rivals.

Line Ups

Charlton Athletic 4-3-3

MacGillivray; Gunter, Elerewe, Pearce, Roddy; Morgan, Watson (Dobson, 68), Clare; Ghandour (Stockley, 68), Davison, Clayden (Powell, 82)

Subs not used:

Harness, Famewo, Barker, Vennings

Booked

Dobson, Stockley

AFC Wimbledon 3-4-1-2

Tzanev; Kalambayi, Heneghan (Rudoni, 78), Csoka; Lawrence, Marsh, Hartigan, Osew (Alexander, 75); Chislett; Pressley (Palmer, 82), Mebude (Assal, 64)

Subs not used:

Woodyard, Oualah, Charles

Booked

Marsh

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