Walsall 0 Charlton 4
Gassan Ahadme scored twice, with Matty Godden and Tyreece Campbell also finding the net as the Addicks secured their place in Monday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round draw with a 4-0 win at League Two high-flyers Walsall.
Nathan Jones made just one change from the team that beat Burton Albion on Tuesday, with Terry Taylor replacing Miles Leaburn. The Addicks remained in a 4-diamond-2 with Taylor, Conor Coventry, Karoy Anderson and Luke Berry making up an effective midfield diamond.
Charlton took a 16th minute lead with the first real bit of quality of the game. Rarmani Edmonds-Green set Conor Coventry for a cross from the right. The midfielder’s whipped delivery was perfect for Ahadme, rising highest, to head home from eight yards.
The goal spurred on the Addicks and Taylor, driving a shot at goal from just inside the area, forced a save from Tommy Simkin, from a possession that had initially come from his own strong tackle in the opposition half.
Charlton doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Godden beat keeper Simkin to a short backpass from Brandon Comley. With the goal gaping Godden took a touch and calmly finished for his eighth goal of the season.
When Ashley Maynard-Brewer was called in to action he did well to deny the in-form Nathan Lowe from a Taylor Allen cross.
Before the break the Addicks could have added a third but Alex Mitchell’s header, from a Taylor set-piece, went just wide of goal.
The visitors began the second half well and Maynard-Brewer was forced into a save from a Connor Barrett effort.
At the other end Taylor’s shot on the half volley from Tyreece Campbell’s chest down was too close to Simkin.
Ahadme scored his second of the game and third of the competition when Simkin couldn’t deal with a whipped Taylor free kick. The ball went straight up into the air and he again rose highest to power home again with his head.
Tyreece Campbell put the icing on the cake, smashing home from around the penalty spot after a Thierry Small-cross was only half cleared.
Walsall: Simkin, Barrett, Gordon, McEntee (c), Lowe (Johnson 69), Lakin (Hall 68), Comley (Stirk 45), Allen, Jellis (Earing 19), Williams, Adomah (Matt 46)
Subs: Hornby, Daniels, Okagbue, Weir
Booked: Allen 57 (foul on Coventry)
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Edmonds-Green, A.Mitchell, Gillesphey, Edwards; Taylor, Coventry (A.Campbell 88), Anderson (Laqeretabua 90+2), Berry (T.Campbell 63); Ahadme (Hylton 88), Godden (c) (Small 63)
Subs: Reid, Potts, Laqeretabua, Edun, Kanu
Goals: Ahadme 16, 85, Godden 28, T.Campbell 90+3
Assist: Coventry 16
Booked: Godden 51 (foul on Allen), Hylton 59 (delaying the restart), Emonds-Green 66 (time wasting)
Referee: Ollie Yates
Attendance: 6,161 (862 from Charlton)
