The Addicks finished their pre-season in impressive fashion on Saturday afternoon, claiming a 2-0 win over last season’s Sky Bet League One champions Portsmouth.
Nathan Jones’ side were back at The Valley for the first time in 105 days and wasted no time in giving the home fans something to shout about. Within the first 30 seconds, Gassan Ahadme had two chances to opening the scoring.
The first came when Tyreece Campbell’s shot was deflected towards him in the box, but squirmed just out of his reach. Greg Docherty eventually collected the ball and pulled it back to Ahadme, but his backheel was scrambled away.
The home crowd would not have to wait long for the breakthrough. From Alex Mitchell’s throw-in in the ninth minute, Karoy Anderson released Josh Edwards on the left.
The wing-back was quick to play an inch-perfect ball in behind Zak Swanson for Campbell, and the forward took it beyond Jordan Williams before lashing under Will Norris at his near post.
Campbell had the chance to double his tally in the 23rd minute when Kayne Ramsay picked him out with an excellent drilled cross, but this time he was unable to keep his shot down.
It was an impressive first half, and the Addicks started the second period just as quickly, doubling their lead in the 51st minute.
Ramsay’s ball down the line had just enough on it to tempt Norris off his line, but Campbell was too quick for the Pompey goalkeeper and took it around him. Campbell still had a lot to do but picked out Ahadme in the centre, who was able to head into the empty net.
With three quarters of the game gone, the Addicks made a host of substitutions and in the 70th minute two of the new introductions combined to go close again – Tennai Watson’s cross headed over by Chuks Aneke.
Aneke was involved again in the 82nd minute, sliding Daniel Kanu in behind only for the 19-year-old to see his left-foot effort tipped wide by Norris.
Despite the final ten minutes seeing the Addicks field an entirely changed back line, the defence held strong and claimed the clean sheet – which will have pleased Nathan Jones ahead of opening day at Wigan Athletic next Saturday.
Charlton: Mannion; A.Mitchell (Edmonds-Green 67), Jones (Z.Mitchell 81), Gillesphey (Potts (Trialist) 81); Ramsay (Watson 67), Coventry (Edun 81), Docherty (c) (Berry 67), Anderson (Taylor 81), Edwards (Small 67); Ahadme (Aneke 67), Campbell (Kanu 67)
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Hylton (Trialist), Asiimwe
Goals: Campbell 9, Ahadme 51
Assists: Edwards 9, Campbell 51
Portsmouth: Norris (c); Williams, Swanson (Devlin 65), Shaughnessy, Ogilvie (Towler 66); Moxon, Lowery (Stevenson 66); Lane (Whyte 79), Silvera, Murphy (Saydee 43); Yengi (Lang 71)
Sub (not used): Archer
Yellow card: Silvera 72 (foul on Jones)
Attendance: 3,909 (837 away)
Referee: Farai Hallam
(Photo: Tom West)
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