Charlton Athletic 4 Colchester United 0

Charlton and formality are two words rarely seen together in the same sentence, yet last night a decent turn out at The Valley witnessed just that.

Credit to Big Bob for putting out a team capable of winning the tie, then giving a galvanizing half-time pep talk and finally throwing on further match-winners later in the game, even though the game was won, to keep up the interest. As Bob said the fans “had a good night.”

Many Addicks were also full of praise for a spruced up Valley, which included large placards of past Charlton heroes, including a certain Sir Chris Powell, a huge improvement in the food plus of course a football pitch to be proud off. I am looking forward to seeing the stadium for myself next week.

Joe Gomez made his first team debut at right back and by all accounts looked as if he’d been a pro for ten years. If Peeters considers Joe to be a very able stand in for Chris Solly, and I think he does, then you have to wonder to the future of Loic Nego.

Lawrie Wilson is also at home at right-back, but I felt last season we missed his pace and energy further up the right side and I was really pleased to see him get two goals and plenty of credit for what sounded like an excellent performance. Personally I had him down as last season’s Player of the Year.

Another player I want to mention, even though I have never seen him play, is George Tucudean. I’m interested to know if he will develop into a good link player at this level or if simply he is not up to this level? Early days I know, but a good reason to give Simon Church some encouragement as I think we are going to need him.

In the hat then for the next round, which is always a confidence booster, but the real test comes next.

Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Hungry Ted; Drinking During the Game; Chris Powell’s Flat Cap; From Charlton with Love.

Around the Ties: Goals galore as the Daggers and Brentford shared 12 goals, the Bees won on pens, Port Vale beat Hartlepool 6-2 and managerless Huddersfield won at Chesterfield 5-3. Millwall squeezed unconvincingly by Wycombe 1-0, Bolton beat neighbours Bury 3-2 in extra time, Shrewsbury beat Blackpool 1-0, Oxford won at Bristol City, Wolves were knocked out by Northampton as were Blackburn by Scunthorpe and MK Dons beat the original Dons 3-1.