Buoyed by their midweek efforts against Manchester United, would the Addicks disappoint against Barnsley in the league? Not a bit, reports KEVIN NOLAN.
Charlton made it three league wins in a row with this victory over Michael Duff’s talented Barnsley side. It was achieved in front of a supportive crowd, which got behind the honest effort and total commitment on display and vocally hauled their exhausted heroes over the line. A period of rest and recovery could well be part of manager Dean Holden’s agenda before the testing trip to Peterborough next Saturday.
Handicapped immediately before kick-off when Steven Sessegnon was injured while warming up, Holden dealt with the setback by moving debutant Todd Kane to left back and summoning the dependability of Sean Clare from the bench.
In first-half added time, he lost Kane to a worrying hamstring complaint, which brought Eoghan O’Connell into the fray earlier than intended.
Both Clare and O’Connell proved solid replacements as the Addicks responded with commendable spirit to disruption. Their resistance to Barnsley’s bordered at times on epic; they rode their luck, particularly when the visitors twice hit the woodwork before the interval and were understandably grateful for the frankly comical finishing which let them off the hook in the second session.
The grip which the Tykes exerted during an awkward opening quarter-hour was ominous. Camped in Charlton’s half, they looked an odds-on bet to open the scoring, particularly when Jordan Williams’ vicious long-range drive forced a hurried, two-handed save from Ashley Maynard-Brewer. There were other narrow squeaks but, with Ryan Inniss and Lucas Ness inspiring their defiant mood, Holden’s men survived.
Better than that, they broke cover to take the lead on 19 minutes, admittedly against the run of play but impressive nonetheless. Preferred to Corey Blackett-Taylor on the left flank, Tyreece Campbell hadn’t seen much of the ball while Charlton struggled to gain a foothold. A couple of neat touches hinted at the teenager’s undoubted talent but the directness of his first meaningful contribution came as a shock, not only to the delighted locals, but to the spread-out travelling fans behind Bradley Collins’ goal.
Already in full flight as combative Jack Payne bustled his way into possession inside his own half, an uninhibited Campbell accepted his chunky teammate’s pass in his stride, showed strength to hold off Liam Kitching and let fly on the run from outside the visitors’ penalty area. Surprised at his near post by the sheer velocity of the strike, Collins was helpless to prevent it from bulging the net behind him.
Youth, it seems, is not entirely wasted on the young – not while Charlton’s vaunted academy continues to produce quality of this calibre.
At 20 years old, Ness is, by comparison with the likes of Campbell, an old stager who stood firm alongside a rock-like Inniss in keeping Barnsley at bay. Neither of them – nor the imperturbable Maynard-Brewer – could do anything to stop the 25-yard screamer from Josh Benson which struck the crossbar before bouncing precariously to safety.
Benson netted a similar effort at Oakwell back in September but mere inches were his enemy this time around. Similarly unlucky was Scottish midfielder Nicky Cadden, whose far post header in first half added time also clipped the bar and fell harmlessly in the Addicks’ favour.
Under steady pressure after the break, Charlton were in sore need of the insurance provided by a second goal. That eventuality looked unlikely until, on the hour, they surprised themselves as much as anyone by coming up with exactly what they required. And both 58th minute substitutes Macauley Bonne and Aaron Henry were heavily involved, proof if it were needed, that Holden’s decisions were sprinkled with stardust.
Henry’s battling header reached Bonne, whose instant shot on the turn struck the base of the right post. Where neither of Barnsley’s rebounded favourably, Bonne’s effort sat up kindly to present Jesurun Rak-Sakyi an unmissable tap-in. It was that kind of afternoon for the frustrated South Yorkshiremen, in whose care the proverbial barn door was safe during a profligate second half.
Fatigue became Charlton’s main adversary as the final whistle neared. Even the normally indefatigable George Dobson wilted but was shored up by the growing influence of Scott Fraser. Every homeboy contributed to their resistance, none more so than Campbell, whose never-say-die attitude was exemplified by the resourceful tackle he conjured from a prone position.
Blocks became commonplace, bodies were put selflessly on the line. This was potentially a season-changing result and might even have been more emphatic had Inniss directed a late point-blank header either side of Collins. This was no occasion for complaint, though, more a chance to celebrate a victory both heroically won and unreservedly savoured. Same again please!
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Clare, Inniss, Ness, Kane (O’Connell 45), Dobson, Rak-Sakyi, Payne (Henry 58), Fraser, Campbell (Blackett-Taylor 83), Leaburn (Bonne 58). Not used: Harness, Stockley, Morgan. Booked: Clare, Inniss, Bonne.
Barnsley: Collins, Williams, Kitching, Andersen, Cadden, Kane (Norwood 64), Benson (Larkeche 39), Aitchison (Martin 64), Phillips, Cole (Watters 64), Connell (Wolfe 79). Not used: Walton, Thomas. Booked: Kitching, Kane, Phillips.
Referee: Craig Hicks. Attendance: 13,266 (1,012 visiting).
LIKE KEVIN’S REPORTS? SUPPORT THE CHARLTON CHAMPION
– We publish Charlton Athletic match reports from home games. You can help us by becoming a supporter at presspatron.com/charltonchampion
– You can also support us via Patreon
– Can your company sponsor these match reports? Get in touch
The Charlton Champion 