Charlton 6 Shrewsbury Town 0
Charlton were in ruthless mood as the Addicks destroyed Shrewsbury Town 6-0 at The Valley.
Miles Leaburn scored twice, to make it five goals in four games for him, with Scott Fraser, Albie Morgan, Jes Rak-Sakyi and Macauley Bonne also finding the net as the Addicks extended their unbeaten run to five.
Dean Holden opted for one change to his lineup with Terell Thomas, returning from international duty, coming back in for Steven Sessegnon at left back as the Addicks began the game in a 4-3-3.
Charlton had to make an early change with Sean Clare limping off, after landing awkwardly, to be replaced by Sessegnon.
During the week Holden had bemoaned the Addicks negative differential on set-pieces and it was from a beautiful Fraser free kick that the Addicks took the lead. Rak-Sakyi, cutting in, was fouled on the edge of the Shrewsbury area. Fraser stepped up, from 20 yards, and confidently curled his free kick into the top-right corner for his seventh goal of the season.
Leaburn nearly doubled the lead four minutes later, forcing Shrews’ keeper Marko Marosi to tip over the bar, after he met Tyreece Campbell’s cross with a powerful header.
The Addicks made it 2-0 in the 38th minute with a swift counter attack. Fraser released Rak-Sakyi on the right, with referee Robert Madley playing a good advantage, not blowing the whistle when Fraser was fouled by Christian Saydee, who was later booked for the foul. Rak-Sakyi fed Morgan, whose first touch, on the run, was excellent, setting himself up to drill home with his second touch for his fifth goal of the campaign.
Charlton’s third came two minutes into stoppage time in the first half and while Morgan did excellently to win the ball high up the pitch, the credit has to go to Rak-Sakyi, who danced away from the Shrews defenders to advance into the penalty area before confidently prodding home with his preferred left foot.
Thomas came close to a fourth after the half-time break, collecting from Fraser and shooting wide from just inside the opposition’s penalty box.
The Addicks were to get a fourth though in spectacular style, Morgan again did well to win possession and Thomas passed up field to Leaburn. The in-form striker collected the ball, turned well before placing into the bottom corner with a well-struck shot from 25 yards.
Leaburn’s second and Charlton’s fifth came from the penalty spot. Campbell did well to get in behind down the left and cut back for Sessesgnon. His shot from just inside the box was goalbound but hit defender Tom Flanagan, with referee Madley giving a penalty for handball and sending the defender off for a second-bookable offence, following his earlier booking in the run-up to Charlton’s first goal. Leaburn sent Marosi the wrong way to make it 5-0.
Charlton’s clean sheet came under threat when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball hit the bar before substitute Ryan Bowman saw his shot from three yards hit his own teammate.
In stoppage time Bonne scored his first goal since returning to the club in January, calmly finishing when Aaron Henry’s shot fell into his path, to the delight of the Charlton fans.
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Clare (Sessegnon 19), inniss, Hector (Mitchell 62), Thomas (Payne 72); Morgan, Dobson (c) (Henry 62), Fraser (Payne 72); Rak-Sakyi, Leaburn, Campbell
Subs (not used): Wollacott, Kanu
Goals: Fraser 27, Morgan 38, Rak-Sakyi 45+2, Leaburn 61, 70, Bonne 90+2
Assists: Rak-Sakyi 27, 38, Morgan 45+2, Thomas 61, Henry 90+2
Booked: Sessegnon 31 (delaying free kick), Dobson 35 (foul on Flanagan)
Shrewsbury Town: Marosi, Leahy (c), Pennington (Bennett 76), Moore, Winchester, Phillips, Street (Bloxham 66), Dunkley, Saydee (Bowman 66), Shipley, Flanagan
Subs (not used): Burgoyne, Bennett, Craig, Barlow
Booked: Flanagan 25 (foul on Rak-Sakyi), Saydee 39 (foul on Fraser), Shipley 70 (dissent), Winchester 87 (foul on Payne)
Sent-off: Flannagan 69 (second bookable offence – handball)
Referee: R Madley
Attendance: 13,241 (646 from Shrewsbury)
