Shrewsbury Town ran out 2-0 winners against a lacklustre Charlton Athletic side in front of the biggest attendance of the season at The Valley in a rather one-sided promotion clash.
Karl Robinson’s team have now failed to win their last three home league fixtures and have dropped out of the final play-off place.
However, it was Charlton who started the affair the brighter of the two teams, with a number of shots raining down on Shrewsbury’s goal. The man between the sticks, Manchester United-loanee Dean Henderson, coped well with a number of opportunities including a stinging Joe Aribo shot that was well tipped over.
Penalty
With 17 minutes played Shrewsbury were awarded a penalty by referee Chris Sarginson as young defender Ezri Konsa clumsily fouled Jon Nolan inside the area. Nolan stepped up to take but was denied by the outstretching leg of Ben Amos after firing down the middle. Nolan then squandered his chance at redemption, hitting the bar directly from the rebound.
The two sides went into the interval goalless with Charlton fortunate not to be trailing their promotion counterparts.
Shrewsbury continued how they left off in the second period and waves of attacks harassed a Charlton defence that seemed disjointed and bereft of confidence. Five minutes into the second half, Shaun Whalley saw a curling ball sail just wide of the mark in a warning sign for the Addicks.
Breakthrough
Less than 60 seconds later, with the Charlton defence still in disarray, Shrewsbury opened the scoring with a carbon copy of the preceding chance. Alex Rodman drove forward before unleashing a shot from 20 yards past the stretched hand of Amos, clipping the post on its way in. Not many of the 17,581 spectators inside The Valley could have argued that the Shrews didn’t deserve that one.
With just over 20 minutes left to play, Shrewsbury rightfully doubled their lead on the 67th minute. Again, owing to poor defending, Shrewsbury’s Omar Beckles managed to find space in the 18 yard box to send his header past Amos in Charlton’s net.
Chances for Charlton were few and far between, with the Addicks’ best opportunity being granted to the returning Tariqe Fosu. However, the winger could only watch on as his swerving effort drifted over the Shrewsbury bar.
Mass brawl
A miserable day for the home side was further compounded with five minutes remaining as a mass brawl broke out between both sets of players with Ahmed Kashi and ex-Dagenham man Abu Ogogo appearing to lose their heads. Charlton duo Kashi and Josh Magennis were both booked for their involvement in the altercation. The home support were clearly incensed by the decision not to book any Shrewsbury players.
Shrewsbury’s win keeps the Salopians in the automatic promotion places, two clear of Wigan Athletic in third place. Heady days at the New Meadow indeed, with Paul Hurst seemingly getting the best out of a squad with a number of former non-league players.
Meanwhile, in south east London, the Charlton faithful may have to prepare themselves for yet another season in League One if something does not change down at The Valley.