Southend United 3 Charlton 4
Charlton kicked off their 2024/25 Emirates FA Cup campaign with a dramatic 4-3 extra-time win against Southend United at Roots Hall on Saturday.
Miles Leaburn, Matty Godden and Zach Mitchell, who netted his first senior goal for the club, all etched their name on the scoresheet before the returning Gassan Ahadme's 120th-minute winner.
It was a superb start to the encounter for the Addicks who took the lead inside nine minutes. Josh Edwards swung an inch-perfect cross towards the back post for Leaburn to head home beautifully.
The hosts came close to levelling the scoring on 26 minutes when the ball was fed to Adam Crowther. The defender let fly on the half-valley but sent his strike well over Will Mannion's crossbar.
Another fantastic delivery from the flank saw Terry Taylor’s whipped ball reach Zach Mitchell at the far post, who headed home the Addicks’ second.
Just moments before the interval, Godden came close to adding a third as he capitalised on a loose touch at the back. The forward honed in on goal and saw his powerful strike rattle the woodwork before Luke Berry fired over on the follow-up.
At the other end, Taylor was penalised for a handball in the box. The referee made no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Jack Bridge coolly converted from 12 yards.
Southend pushed for a leveller after the restart and received their reward in the 52nd minute as Oli Coker’s deflected strike found its way past Will Mannion.
With 25 minutes left of the initial 90, the Addicks restored their lead. Alex Mitchell lofted a ball from deep into the path of Leaburn and the goalscorer turned provider as his flick on was met by Godden at the back post who converted with ease.
Despite Charlton’s efforts to push for a fourth, the hosts drew level in additional time. A scramble in the box saw Josh Walker's strike deflect into the back of the net.
End-to-end action in the first-half of extra-time saw Godden come close to netting his brace as he was slipped in behind the Shrimpers’ defence, but Collin Andeng-Ndi produced a vital stop to keep the scores level.
With both sides having a handful of chances in extra-time, it took until the 120th minute for a winner as Ahadme netted from the bench. The forward latched onto a loose ball at the back, firing in at the near post to seal the victory in front of the travelling fans.
The Addicks will find out their second-round opponents on Sunday night, with the draw taking place at 7.45pm (GMT).
Southend United: Andeng Ndi; Taylor, Crowther, Ralph (c); Scott-Morriss, Coker (Moncur 78), Morton (Miley 68), Husin (Appiah-Forson 100), Bridge; Bonne (Waldron 90), Pepple (Walker 67)
Subs (not used): Brown, Wind, Wood
Goals: Bridge (pen) 45+1, Coker 51, Walker 90+3
Charlton: Mannion; Z.Mitchell, A.Mitchell, Gillesphey, Edwards; Taylor (Docherty 88), Coventry (Small 55), A.Campbell (Ahadme 116), Berry (Anderson 88); Leaburn (Hylton 83), Godden (c)
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Edmonds-Green, Edun, Dixon
Goals: Leaburn 9, Z.Mitchell 40, Godden 66, Ahadme 119
Assists: Edwards 9, Taylor 40, Leaburn 66
Booked: Coventry 51 (foul on Pepple)
Attendance: 8,875 (1,391 away)
Referee: Darren Drysdale
