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POST-MATCH THREAD : Charlton Athletic v Watford: Saturday 9th August 2025: KO 12:30

LoOkOuT
LoOkOuT Posts: 10,855
edited August 9 in General Charlton
Charlton began life anew in the Championship with a lot of hope and enthusiasm and perhaps a fair bit of trepidation. Nathan Jones would have surely been happy with the first half performance. Charlton got off to a quick start and were unlucky not to be ahead after multiple chances from Lloyd Jones (a volley and a header) that forced saves from the Watford keeper. Rob Apter caused trouble on the right, whipping in dangerous crosses to good effect. Sonny Carey had his moments, as did Tyreece Campbell. The Watford keeper, Egil Selvik kept them in it in the first half.

Defensively, Charlton’s tight, leak-free back line held firm, limiting Watford to counter attacks and only a few dangerous opportunities. Josh Edwards in particular was outstanding (at the back and going forwards).

In fact, it Watford had to wait until the opening minutes of the first half to record their first shot on target; a dangerous free kick that Imran Louza curled right into Thomas Kaminsky’s arms.

Not long after, Josh Edwards found himself on the counter lead to half a chance for a penalty when he was unfairly barged off the ball in the box, the defender making no effort to play the ball. This was the first of handful of calls that the referee failed to make.

Undeterred, the Addicks pushed on. Tyreece Campbell provided the outlet next, when he burst into the box, dragged back onto his left and fired a shot that was partially deflected by Charlie Kerman into the keeper’s path and pushed across the goal.

By sixty minutes, both sides showed tired legs. Watford made the first changes to renew their weary side, with Nathan Jones making the first of his changes a little after.

The Addicks, though tired, were still active on the press. Sonny Carey had a chance when he broke forward on another counter and forced a save at the near post.

Miles Leaburn came on to make his season debut, immediately proving a handful when he followed Carey’s earlier effort, breaking down the right. Not long after came Macauley Gillesphey and a slight change in formation. Harvey Knibbs, then Tanto Olaofe make their club debuts as substitutes, providing much needed fresh legs up front to compliment Leaburn and force the issue further in the dying stages. 

The first half danger man, Rob Apter had another opportunity on 87’, wrapping his left foot around the ball and sending in a curling effort from eighteen yards that narrowly missed the top corner.

But it wasn’t all Charlton. Just a tick into added time, Watford broke on the counter and a mix up in defense almost lead to a penalty as an indecisive Kaminsky barreled into the oncoming attacker. No foul was called there, but Charlton were the beneficiaries when a foul was called on the Watford man in the next phase of play and the Addicks were able to reset. 

Only moments later, Olaofe was brought down in the Watford box in what was a clear foul, only for the referee to ignore the infraction.

This match seemed to be set for a scoreless draw. But there was another twist before the final whistle. On 94’ Connor Coventry floated a very deep ball from a corner that looked to be wasted until Lloyd Jones rose at the back post to head it back into the fray. Harvey Knibbs pounced on it on the half volley, driving it past Selvik and into the back of the net in emphatic fashion.

The final whistle sealed the opening day victory, snapping Watford’s five game streak on opening day. It was a jubilant Valley and a real team effort that saw all three points and a clean sheet to mark the return to Championship football.

Charlton 1 Watford 0

Over to you.
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Comments

  • stoneroses19
    stoneroses19 Posts: 7,219
    EASY EASY EASY!
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,508
    edited August 9
    Come on FA get that ship blasting their guns mate...we're f'in dynamite
  • EugenesAxe
    EugenesAxe Posts: 3,284
    Making our mark, sending a message UTA
  • Callumcafc
    Callumcafc Posts: 63,763
    edited August 9
    🤯 HARVEY KNIBBS HAS SCORED A LAST MINUTE WINNER FOR CHARLTON

    https://x.com/the_forty_four/status/1954173675982229796?s=46&t=ynww82GMl7VKBjthBflU0g
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  • RodneyCharltonTrotta
    RodneyCharltonTrotta Posts: 14,827
    Sensational. Looked very much at home against Watford today in the championship with our brand new squad which will gel over next few months. To be fair Watford have a brand new team also but are seasoned at this level.

    Would have felt disappointed with a point after 90 mins based on the performance and buzzing with the late deserved winner.

    Long way to go but a great start. 
  • jakecafc
    jakecafc Posts: 2,065
    Unbelievable scenes. Up the fucking Charlton!!!!
  • Dazzler21
    Dazzler21 Posts: 51,344
    I just knew it was gonna be a draw. Expected 1-1 but will take a clean sheet...


    Oh we won. 

    AVE that you filthy northern Watfordians. 

    Genuinely loved watching that - was meant to be there but was up ill all night so woke up at 11:15 after 4 hours sleep. That was a lovely remedy for me feeling sorry for myself. 
  • Fortune 82nd Minute
    Fortune 82nd Minute Posts: 8,337

    Wow, what a fantastic performance capped off by the late goal from Knibbs!

    In honesty, I’d forgotten just how much the Championship has improved since we were last in it. And Watford were a big, strong team – no scrawny 18 year olds in this League. Yet we’ve more than matched them all game and had by far the best chances and been denied a blatant penalty. Looks like the refs are just as hopeless in this League.

    Defensively, we looked just as strong as last year. And if we can carry on keeping clean sheets, it only needs one piece of brilliance to win the game.

    Apter, Bell and Carey the pick of the newcomers. Kelman obviously needs more support before we see the best of him. Will be fascinating to see which of the forwardsstart the games as the season progresses.

    And finally, well done Nathan Jones on his fist bumping celebrations aimed at the Watford supporters who had been giving him grief all game. Really annoyed the Watford players and started a bit of pushing and shoving between the sides at the end. The perfect end to a perfect start to the season!  


  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,842
    Who's that scoring goals,  who's that scoring goals...



  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,619
    edited August 9
    A lot of our players would have been quietly wondering if they could make the step up and now they have the answer. Gave as good as we got and more. Winning breeds confidence and this hard fought win will have them all believing. The Valley will be a tough place for anyone to come and every team who beat us will know they’ve been in a battle. Can’t ask for anything more. 
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  • Valley11
    Valley11 Posts: 11,983
    Loved every bit of that. What a team. 
    We’ll have to fight for every point in this league. But you just know with this team, they will.
    COYRs
  • CAFCBill
    CAFCBill Posts: 398
    STOP THE COUNT!!!!  
  • MintoHumbugs
    MintoHumbugs Posts: 753
    blackpool72 said:
    I watched this game in a bar in Turkey. 

    They had the Wrexham game on a big screen with 4 Wrexham fans watching. 

    I sat on my own with my grandson watching the Charlton game on a small screen. 

    The Hollywood bunch were giving it large from the minute they went one nil up.

    We just stayed calm
    That is until the closing moments of both games. 
    Absolutely fucking brilliant. 
    It was good to see Leicester old  3rd or was it 4th choice keeper Ward ( who will never play for Wrexham 1st team according to their fans )  start in their first game of the season and concede 2 injury time goals.  Priceless 😂
  • Dazzler21
    Dazzler21 Posts: 51,344

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