POST-MATCH THREAD: Charlton Athletic v Barnsley: Tuesday 4th March 2025: KO 19:45

Barnsley arrived at the Valley with an excellent away record to put up against Charlton’s equally impressive home form. The visitors started very brightly and the Addicks needed all of their defensive focus to blunt the Barnsley attack. Tyreece Campbell, himself in fine form, was the Addicks’ most potent outlet. His work probing down the left caused Barnsley problems and helped relieve much of that early pressure. Thierry Small and Kayne Ramsay’s work down the right also paid dividends, though as much trouble as they caused Barnsley, they couldn’t find the ultimate reward. But it was the unlikely Macauley Gillesphey that opened the scoring, extending his own goal scoring run and putting Charlton ahead. His free kick from twenty yards skipped along the ground, under the leaping wall, and nestled itself just inside the post. The Barnsley keeper seemed to have overleapt the ball and found himself guilty of a breach he probably should have stopped. The Addicks were one nil to the good and Barnsley’s early pressure was nullified. 

Barnsley made a number of changes early in the second half and that seemed to stem their attacking impetus somewhat. For all of their movement and slick passing, they never really troubled Charlton enough, through they certainly did enough to keep my anxious throughout. Charlton had their own chances, falling to Luke Berry, and later, substitute Miles Leaburn, which, on another night, may have fell more kindly for them.

One goal was enough for the Addicks win though, thankfully. What could have been a tricky fixture in a congested part of the season went our way. Three more points and another place up the league table means we’re happy campers again as our fine run of results continues. 

Charlton 1 Barnsley 0

Over to you.