Charlton 2 Cambridge United 1
It was a positive Boxing Day for the Addicks who made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 victory at home to Cambridge United.
Academy graduates Tyreece Campbell and Miles Leaburn netted their second goals in as many games in a controlled opening 20 minutes and although the visitors pulled a goal back Charlton were able to see the game out to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four games.
It was the perfect start for Charlton with Tyreece Campbell giving the Addicks the lead in the 36th second. Conor Coventry intercepted a Cambridge throw-in and Leaburn, near the half-way line hooked the ball in behind the Cambridge defence for Tyreece Campbell to run on to. The 21-year-old was first to the ball and finished through the goalkeeper’s legs from a tight angle.
The Addicks were denied a second thanks to a crucial tackle from Jubril Okedina who stopped Tyreece Campbell’s low cross finding Greg Docherty at the back post for what looked like a certain goal. Nathan Jones’ side scored from the resulting long throw – Macauley Gillesphey, at the near post, flicked on Josh Edwards’ hurl into the box and Leaburn jumped highest to head home from close range under pressure from Cambridge stopper Vicente Reyes.
The visitors first half chance at goal came in the 28th minute when former Addick, Sullay Kaikai, blasted the ball over the crossbar.
Just before the half-time break Thierry Small, playing again at right wing back, got to the byline with a nice bit of trickery and dug out a cross, which was defended well to ensure Leaburn’s header didn’t find the target.
Docherty had the first chance of the second half, seizing on a loose ball in midfield and forcing a save from Reyes with a driven shot.
Cambridge, who had made a double change at the break, pulled a goal back seven minutes into the second period with their first big chance of the game when substitute Liam Bennett got to the byline and squared for Elias Kachunga to tap into an empty net.
The visitors then nearly levelled when a loose ball fell to Kaikai in the Charlton penalty area. The winger cut inside onto his right foot and had Ashley Maynard-Brewer beaten as his shot cannoned back off the post.
After the Cambridge pressure, the Addicks responded, with Small cutting in and curling a shot just wide. Berry was denied first by an excellent Reyes save, then by a brave Cambridge block and then by a more comfortable save from Reyes.
The Addicks were able to comfortably see the game out to send home happy the Boxing Day crowd at The Valley.
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; A.Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Small, Docherty (c), Coventry, Berry (Edmonds-Green 90+4), Edwards; Leaburn (Anderson 90), T.Campbell (Ahadme 90)
Subs (not used): Mannion, A.Campbell, Hylton, Godden
Goals: T.Campbell 1, Leaburn 20
Assists: Leaburn 1, Gillesphey 20
Cambridge United: Reyes, Morrison (c), Watts (Andrew 46), Brophy, Kachunga (Loft 85), Kaikai, Smith, Okedina, Ibsen Rossi (Bennett 46), Stokes (Nlundulu 68), Cousins
Subs (not used): Stevens, Njoku, Longelo
Goal: Kachunga 52
Assist: Bennett 52
Booked: Brophy 63 (dissent), Morrison 73 (foul on Leaburn)
Referee: John Busby
Attendance: 14,369 (592 from Cambridge)