Check it out
Ben Reeves scored a nice little taster of a goal tonight as a youthful Addicks won rather easily at the Checkatrade.com stadium in the pointless Checkatrade Trophy against Crawley Town.
12 academy graduates were named in Robinson’s 16-man squad, who managed to navigate around the stupid rules mostly becsause Josh Magennis and Jay Dasilva were away on international duty. 10 of the academy boys got on the field including George Lapslie (photo), who scored our second 20 minutes from time.
Oakwood Park graduate Aaron Barnes and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild both started for the first time and 18-year old midfielder Taylor Maloney got on for his debut.
650 Addicks made the journey, and by all accounts it should have been more than 2-0, which leaves us waiting to see if another striker will join before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Robinson predicted a busy 48 hours, but ominously added this maybe due to trying to keep our players. Konsa, Phillips, Lennon, Sarr, Kennedy and Novak could be potential exits before Thursday night.
Chicago Addick 
My son persuaded me to go last night, and I’m very pleased I did. The game was very even in the first half, and opened up more in the second as we played a lot of possession football and Crawley pressed up. The team played in the same formation and style that our first team does and it is very stylish, but Crawley put us under a lot of pressure and got a lot of crosses in – I suspect the lack of wide midfield players that you normally get in a 4 4 2 may be the cause.
MOM was Sarr – never thought I’d say that! Dillon was very calm at the back and played the sweeper role to perfection. He pulled off an absolute worldy save from a free kick if indeed he got a touch. Hackett Fairchild played the lone man up front really well, and as the game got stretched he showed what quick feet he has – and is adept with left or right. Ben showed real quality in the pre match shooting practice and his goal was no surpise. Lapslie’s goal was a real joy – didn’t think he would hold off three defenders that chased him from thre half way line – and he was very very confident on the ball on other occasions.
I really like the Stadium too – its a good venue for league 2 or 1,with an outstanding surface and really friendly service, and the away end generates a good noise. I’ve stood on plenty of terraces watching Dartford over the years, but watching Charlton from one took me back about 30 years!
We’ve now seen 3 wins this season already = more than we’ve seen in some entire seasons of late. Now if the Rat forks out on another striker I might start getting excited..
Pembury Addick
3 wins for the PA family before the end of August. No way!! 😀
Totally agree Nigel. I live down the road in Horley so it was too good an opportunity to miss. The kids played really well and although we rode our luck at times we were deserved winners. I love the way Robinson is creating a good spirit within the players and towards the supporters as well. Also as you said, hats off to the staff at Crawley who were all very helpful and friendly, good luck to them this season.
I think one more good striker and we’ll be there or thereabouts.
Come on you Reds!
Horley Addick