Charlton Athletic 2 Stevenage 0
For 30 first half minutes our play was strewn with silly mistakes, one almost gave Stevenage the lead but for a fantastic stop from AMB.
Then AMB fell ‘injured’ and Nathan Jones called the team over to the touch line and we never looked back.
We scored our goals at excellent times and should’ve scored more as we dominated proceedings all over the pitch against a team that had been on good form themselves.
This was night and day to what I and 1,400 Addicks had witnessed at Stevenage earlier in the season. Some of our passing was scintillating, moving the ball with purpose and giving them no time to breathe when they had possession.
Both of the goals were different but equally ruthless in their execution. Just before the break Godden started and finished a move that began in our own half and involved TC, Berry and Coventry. It was a sweet move.
The second began with a long ball from Small, Godden flicked on perfectly into the path for TC who smacked a shot against the bar but the rebound fell to Berry who made the finish look as easy as going out for a pint of milk. I stole that line off Steve Brown, but Berry showed very good technical ability to score.
After that both TC and Small equally impressed and frustrated in front of goal, but we limited Stevenage to nothing and saw the game out easily.
Once more impossible to pick our best player. Coventry was the master of ceremonies, Jones a rock at the back, TC excellent on and off the ball, Berry may have had his best game in our shirt, and Godden was superb leading the line.
Clean sheet win and we suddenly appear in 6th.
🎙️“We called them over and just settled them down. Once we settled down, I thought we were brilliant. Second half was the best we’ve been under me.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Matt Godden
🏟️ 14,093 (691 from Stevenage)
📸 Keith Gillard
Big win…big win!
Yep, we were a bit slow out of the blocks but once we got into the game there was only going to be one winner. The second half was solid and as professional as you like and the creative time wasting by taking the ball into the corner was done to perfection. Stevenage weren’t allowed to get a shot on target all game.
I’d give MotM to TC – he caused their defence problems all afternoon and was involved in both goals. The pass into Berry was accurate and perfectly weighted and allowed him to lay the ball off to Coventry first time without having to control it. Like his assist for Godden’s goal last week his picking out not just the right pass but doing it well demonstrates how he’s improving as a player. And the second – crashing the ball against the bar at that speed, look how far it bounced back…the keeper had no chance of getting to it. Great finish by Luke Berry and awareness to follow up. Stevenage don’t concede very many goals.
We’re into the play-offs and need to stay there.
NJ has been with us for a year, we were 19th when he joined last February, a year on and we’re up to sixth and looking at a post-season campaign.
At last an element of recognition for the building blocks and progression. In NJ we trust. 😎
Interesting game and Stevenage caused us a few issues first half and AMBs brilliant save was a turning point for us….his ‘injury ‘ gave the gaffa time to re-group and we never looked back…
Praise must go to Coventry,Jones,Small,TC,Berry and Godden who were dominant in their positions for the remainder of the game.Im not going to get carried away as we all know how things can change in league 1…..all we need to focus on is not losing games and getting 3 points at home.
“Ole Ole Ole the Reds are going up !!!!”
Exactly…he still has his detractors not sure how but from here onwards and upwards.
2nd half simply superb, topped Birmingham, only thing that’ll stop us now is injuries and if we can hold this form and keep everyone fit, not convinced we’ll need a post season campaign.
Great to be in a play-off place but still need to play the current top 3 away .from home. Next Saturday at Birmingham will be a good indicator. NJ deserves credit for building defensive resilience & was very unlucky with key injuries earlier in the season.
Second half was near perfection in terms of passing,pressing and determination and not allowing Stevenage a sniff.
Praise to AMB,Coventry,Small,TC,Jones and Berry who in my humble opinion had a good game.We have Peterborough next and the upward trend is fantastic….3 more points would be a perfect few days.
AMB needs to call for medical help more often when needed as it worked 😃
The save from AMB somehow taking the ball from the feet of the Stevenage striker was the turning point. TC, Berry, Jones, Godden and Coventry stood out for me.
A poor performance in the first half with bad mistakes by Gillesphey and Coventry luckily not costing.
The goal just before half time meant the team come out with a lift in the second half. Greatly improved performance, TC was my star with honourable mentions for AMB, Edwards, Jones, and Berry. I noticed that Ramsey appeared to have an injury about 20 minutes from time and I was surprised that he stayed on the pitch, let’s hope he is fit for Tuesday.