A late equaliser from former Charlton loanee Jesurun Rak-Sakyi denied the Addicks their third win of pre-season, as Nathan Jones’ side drew 1-1 at Crystal Palace on Friday afternoon.
With the Eagles electing to field a strong XI, the Addicks could have been forgiven for sitting off the hosts. But that was not the case, with Daniel Kanu leading the press and preventing any dangerous buildup from the Eagles.
On the hottest day of the year so far, neither team were able to fashion a meaningful chance for much of the half. By the time the players paused for a drinks break midway through the opening period, the closest anyone had come was Odsonne Edouard’s effort from 20 yards out which went harmlessly over Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s crossbar.
As the first period wore on, it looked like Palace were finally beginning to assert themselves until a moment of real quality from the Addicks opened the scoring.
In the 38th minute, Macaulay Gillesphey’s long ball down the left side was flicked on by Thierry Small. Kanu showed excellent composure to turn and lay it back to Chuks Aneke who, on his first start of this pre-season, arrowed a first-time strike across goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and into the top-right corner. It was a tremendous strike, and the Addicks were ahead.
Making just two substitutions at half time, Nathan Jones was determined to get minutes in the legs of the players who had done so well in the opening 45 minutes.
They held strong in the second period too, limiting Palace to a Jeffrey Schlupp effort from 25 yards which had to be tipped around the post by Harry Isted.
It was all change just after the hour mark, and the new XI did just as well.
It was very nearly 2-0 in the 76th minute, when Tayo Edun won the ball back and laid it off to Tyreece Campbell. Campbell, who has enjoyed an excellent pre-season so far, drove at the Eagles’ defence before curling an effort at goal from 25 yards. Johnstone will have been relieved to see the ball come back off his left post and away.
There was one more twist in the tail in the 90th minute. David Ozoh surged forward and found Daichi Kamada, who laid the ball back to Rak-Sakyi. The 21-year-old showed excellent composure to twist and turn before passing the ball beyond Isted to level the scoring at the death.
Despite the last action, it was an impressive showing from Charlton, who will now look ahead to their trip to AFC Wimbledon next Saturday.
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer (Isted 46); Ramsay (Watson 62), A Mitchell (c) (Jones 62), Gillesphey (Potts (Trialist) 62); Asiimwe (Z Mitchell 62), Taylor (Docherty 62), Anderson (Coventry 62), Bishop (Trialist) (Edun 62), Small (Edwards 62); Aneke (Hylton (Trialist) 46), Kanu (Campbell 62)
Subs (not used): Berry, Fraser, Godden
Goal: Aneke 38
Assist: Kanu 38
Crystal Palace: Johnstone; Ward (Ozoh 62), Clyne, Holding (Adaramola 80), Riad, Mitchell (Sessegnon (Trialist) 46); Hughes (Doucoure 62), Kamada; Schlupp (Rak-Sakyi 62), Ayew (Ahamada 62), Edouard
Subs (not used): Matthews, Ebiowei
Goal: Rak-Sakyi 90
Assist: Kamada 90
Referee: Bruno Marques
(Photo: Tom West)
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