In Carabao Cup action on Tuesday night at Stevenage, a late equaliser from Chuks Aneke and a penalty shootout triumph saw Charlton book their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Starting Lineup
Ben Garner made four changes to the side that were victorious over Coalville Town in FA Cup action at the weekend, with Fraser, Chin, Innis, and Rak-Sakyi coming into the side. Garner set his side up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Albie Morgan filling the second-striker role alongside Jayden Stockley.
Early on, it was the hosts that threatened to open the scoring as in the sixth minute Luther James-Wildin ran down the right-hand side, sending a ball into the box which fell to Luke Norris, but the Stevenage talisman fired over.
Stevenage Strike First
The home side continued to pile on the pressure and soon after they would have a brilliant opportunity as after just 20 minutes they were awarded a penalty. Max Clark received the ball just metres into the Addicks’ half and sent a ball over the top of the Charlton backline into the path of Luke Norris.
Stevenage’s number nine was halted in play by 20-year-old full-back Richard Chin, who handled the ball inside the Charlton box, meaning that the referee had no choice but to book the defender and award a penalty to the home side.
Norris stepped up for the hosts and slotted his spot kick from six yards into the bottom left corner, sending Wollacott the wrong way and netting his sixth goal in all competitions.
Reds Response
Ben Garner’s side reacted well to going a goal down as promising Crystal Palace loanee Rak-Sakyi continued to work his magic, weaving his way between the Stevenage players and causing both Arthur Read and Danny Rose to pick up bookings for hacking down the tricky winger.
The Addicks failed to test the hosts’ defence up until the 35th, when Sean Clare’s beautiful weighted through ball put Albie Morgan through on goal, but his chipped effort bounced the wrong side of the post.
Stevenage were unfortunate not to go into the half time interval two or three goals up following a number of efforts kept out by the Charlton shot stopper, as well as an attempt from Jake Taylor following a goalmouth scramble which bounced back off of the bar.
Charlton Changes
As frustrations grew for the away side, Garner opted to make four changes on the hour mark, with first-team regulars Sessegnon, Kirk, Aneke, and Blackett-Taylor all entering the fray.
The fresh legs appeared to have improved the quality of football from Charlton, however, the next chance on goal came at the opposing end of the pitch.
Wollacott yet again was the hero, with Danny Rose with a powerful effort on target forcing the international to make a superb save.
With the substitutions having increased the intensity for the Addicks, Jake Forster-Caskey also then entered the field of play and his first involvement came as he sent a long ball towards the direction of Ryan Innis who sent a looping header towards goal.
The ball rattled the crossbar, fell back into play and rebounded to Charlie Kirk, but his low effort was blocked on the six-yard line.
Crucial Equaliser
The South London side maintained their pressure late on and were eventually rewarded with four minutes remaining on the clock when Rak-Sakyi picked up the ball around 30 yards out, danced between two opposing midfielders and threaded Chuks Aneke through on goal.
The 29-year-old latched onto the through ball and thundered his effort past Aaron Chapman at the near post, levelling the scores and netting his second goal in two outings.
Charlton came closest to snatching the winner in the dying embers of the game, with the fourth official holding up the board to signal six minutes of additional time.
Aneke threatened once again, striking a curling effort at goal, but his shot fell just wide of the post, with the game ending 1-1 at full time.
Shootout Success
The scores were settled via a penalty shootout, in which Athletic keeper Joe Wollacott once again played a vital role for his team.
Both sides looked calm and composed from the penalty spot up until Jake Taylor stepped up for the home side, his tame effort parried away by Wollacott to give Charlton the advantage at 4-4.
In-form Scott Fraser stepped up to take the decisive penalty and coolly converted past Aaron Chapman, sending the 1,137 away supporters home happy.
Tuesday night’s triumph sees Charlton go into the hat for the Carabao Cup fourth round draw on Thursday evening, the furthest the Addicks have gone in the EFL Cup for 15 years.
The Addicks return to league action on Saturday as they face Burton Albion away from home.
Edited by Josh Morton
