Gassan Ahadme was thrilled to make an instant impact on his return from injury by scoring a late extra-time winner in the Addicks 4-3 victory at Southend United in the Emirates FA Cup first round.
The forward showed great composure to fire home on the swivel in front of the travelling Charlton fans with a penalty shootout looming.
“I’m delighted to help the team, coming on late and scoring," said Ahadme. "The most important thing is that we are through to the next round.
“It was a long ball into the box, the defender flicked it and I gambled off the back of him. I saw the goalkeeper coming and I tried to take it round him with my chest, but it was short, so I shot on the turn and it went in.”
Ahadme admits it was the perfect way for him to mark his return from a chest injury that has kept him sidelined for the last month.
“When you are injured, you go through some really bad moments," explained the 23-year-old. "Football is an up and down sport - things can change really quickly. Today was my first day back in the team and my goal was to try and help as much as I could. It doesn’t get much better than coming on and scoring the winner!
“The most important thing is that we are in the next round, but hopefully we will be better next time.”
