REPORT | Charlton 3 Swindon Town 0

Tom Rubashow reports from The Valley

Charlton recorded a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Swindon Town to finish the 2016/17 season.

The result was the Addicks fourth win in five games and meant Charlton climbed one place to finish 13th in League One.

Josh Magennis opened the scoring to take his goalscoring tally for the season into double figures. Jake Forster-Caskey struck for the second time in as many games and Ricky Holmes rounded off a season that saw him crowned Supporters’ Player of the Year, with the Addicks final goal of 2016/17.

Johnnie Jackson, who received a standing ovation when he was substituted, was denied a fairytale goal in his final game as “just a player” when Swindon’s Luke Henry blocked his 53rd minute effort. The captain is set to be a part of the squad next season but will take on additional coaching responsibilities.

Karl Robinson made three changes to the team that beat Chesterfield last weekend. Jackson, Chris Solly and Patrick Bauer replaced Ezri Konsa, Joe Aribo and Karlan Ahearne-Grant.

Declan Rudd started in goal with Solly, Bauer, Pearce and the in-form Jay Dasilva in front of him. Jackson joined Andrew Crofts and Jake Forster-Caskey in a three man midfield with Holmes and Nathan Byrne on either wing and Magennis up front.

Charlton controlled the first half with some lovely passing football and were especially dangerous form the left where Dasilva proved to be a constant headache for Swindon.

Holmes displayed his early intent when he charged down the Swindon goalkeeper Henry with Byrne and Forster-Caskey eventually winning possession back in the high press. Forster-Caskey’s cross was eventually collected by a grateful Henry.

Swindon had their biggest chance of the half in the 11th minute when Anton Rodgers hit the crossbar with a free kick after a Byrne foul.

Charlton came back and took the lead will a nice move that began on the right with Byrne winning the ball. His pass found Holmes who flicked to Crofts. The combative midfielder fought off a tackle and passed it wide to Dasilva whose cross was perfectly weighted for Magennis. The Northern Ireland international powered his header passed Henry for his 10th goal of the season.

The Charlton pressure increased. In the 20th minute Solly broke down the right and dragged back for Magennis who hit his first time shot just wide. Pearce then had a goal disallowed when Magennis was adjudged to have fouled from a Holmes free kick that the centre half half-volleyed home.

Rudd’s main save of the day was a brave leap to deny the oncoming Islam Feruz in the 27th minute.

Dasilva continued to cause problems and combined well with Jackson to force a corner minutes later. Bauer got a run on his defender from the corner but headed wide.

Charlton made the pressure count when Forster-Caskey netted in the 43rd minute. The midfielder has been challenged by Robinson to get in the box more and score more goals and duly responded. Byrne crossed from the left and Forster-Caskey beat his marker to the ball and cooly passed it first time past Henry.

The home side continued the pressure in the second half. Shortly after half-time Forster-Caskey, brimming with confidence following his goal, worked Henry from long range.

The young goalkeeper denied Jackson the fairytale in the 53rd minute. The captain turned inside his defender but had a right foot effort blocked by Henry.

It was Swindon’s turn to have a goal disallowed in the 62nd minute. Norris drove across goal and Feruz tapped in from an offside position.

Charlton again took control and shortly after dragging wide from a Magennis knock down Holmes made it 3-0 at the end of a lovely passing move. Dasilva found Byrne in space just outside the Swindon box. Rather than shooting the winger played in Holmes free in the box.

Holmes placed the ball just out of the reach of Henry into the bottom corner to round-up the victory.

In the 74th minute Johnnie Jackson was substituted and received a standing ovation from the Charlton fans. He was replaced by Ahearne-Grant who was involved in Charlton’s last dangerous attempts of the game.

After getting to the byline with a combination of strength and skill he drove across goal but no-one could tap in. Just before the final whistle the young striker headed wide from a Holmes cross.

With minutes to go Solly was substituted and like Jackson and Byrne before him received a standing ovation. He was replaced by U23s captain Aaron Barnes making his debut.

Charlton: Rudd, Solly (Barnes 87), Bauer, Pearce, Dasilva, Crofts, Jackson (Ahearne-Grant 74), Forster-Caskey, Bryne (Aribo 82), Holmes, Magennis

Subs (not used): Phillips, Botaka, Ulvestad, Novak

Goals: Magennis 11, Forster-Caskey 43, Holmes 66

Booked: Bauer 32 (foul on Norris)

Swindon Town: Henry, Thomas, Brophy, Iandolo (Obika 69), Feruz (Twine 69), Colkett, Dabo, Starkey (Goddard 69), Conroy, Norris, Rodgers

Subs (not used): Vigouroux, Gladwin, Barry, Ince

Booked: Starkey 49 (foul on Holmes)

Referee: J Brooks

Attendance: 11,932 (578 from Swindon)