Charlton 2 Wigan Athletic 1
Matt Godden’s first-half double gave Charlton a seventh successive win at The Valley, as the Addicks beat Wigan Athletic 2-1.
Charlton were comfortable for 83 minutes but Chris Sze’s late goal meant a nervy final seven minutes and four minutes of stoppage time.
Nathan Jones' side took an 11th-minute lead which began with a clever ball down the line from Tennai Watson, making his 50th appearance for the Addicks, to Kayne Ramsay. The former Harrogate-defender showed great strength to see off defender Jon Mellish. His cross was cleared by one Wigan defender onto another and Godden pounced, swivelling and finishing neatly with his weaker left foot.
A short-corner routine gave the Addicks the opportunity to double their lead. Luke Berry’s fizzed a set-piece into the feet of Godden, whose flick made it’s way to Tyreece Campbell. The Charlton academy graduate took a touch and his shot looked goalbound but hit teammate, Ramsay, standing in an offside position.
Macaulay Gillesphey was next to come close, curling a free kick around the wall but Wigan goalkeeper, Sam Tickle, got down low in time to keep the ball out.
A second Charlton goal was on the cards and arrived seven minutes before the half-time break. Berry’s free kick from the right was curled to the back post onto the head of Gillesphey. The in-form defender sent the ball back across goal, where Godden was on hand to tap in at the back post for his 15th of the season.
After watching his side fail to record a shot in the first half, Wigan’s new Head Coach, Ryan Lowe, made two changes at the break but it was Charlton who started the second half the better of the two teams.
The visitors were grateful to Tickle for keeping them in the game in the first minute of the second half. He was out quickly to deny Campbell, after he’d gone through one-on-one, before getting up immediately to block Godden’s follow-up.
Wigan’s first shot at goal came in the 51st minute, Dale Taylor dragging a shot wide with his left foot.
After some considerable territorial pressure from the Addicks, Wigan pulled a goal back with seven minutes to go. Will Mannion made an excellent save to keep out Ronan Darcy but Chris Sze was first to the ball, finding the bottom corner of the net.
Nathan Jones’ side held on for an important three points and will now prepare for a trip to Peterborough United next weekend.
Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones, GIllesphey; Watson (Mitchell 88), Docherty (c), Coventry, Berry (Anderson 90+3), Small (McIntyre 90+3); Godden (Leaburn 76), Campbell
Subs (not used): Reid, Enslin, Ahadme
Goals: Godden 11, 38
Assist: Gillesphey 38
Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Mellish (Darcy 46), Chambers (J Smith 70), Aimson (Robinson 83), Weir (Sze 46), Dale (McManaman 83), Kerr (c), S Smith, Carragher, Norburn, Taylor
Subs (not used): Watson, Sibbick
Goal: Sze 84
Booked: Norburn 24 (foul on Docherty), Kerr 38
Referee: Graham Scott
Attendance: 16,491 (596 from Wigan)
