Greg Morley reports from another Charlton defeat…
Charlton Athletic’s poor league form continued as Rohan Ince’s second half goal gave Chris Hughton a 1-0 victory in his first Championship match as Brighton boss on Saturday afternoon at The Valley.
The midfielder made the most of some hesitant goalkeeping to head Brighton in front from close range just after the hour mark in a match that lacked entertainment value.
The victory for Brighton maintained Hughton’s 100 per cent start as manager, following a 2-0 FA Cup victory at Brentford last week, and their victory here was deserved against an Addicks side on a rapid decline in form.
Charlton’s third choice goalkeeper, Neil Etheridge, who would end up being responsible for the only goal of the game, started the match in worrying fashion as he failed to deal with a high ball into the area, before a Charlton defender managed to get a block on Solly March’s rebound effort.
George Tucudean then had an effort parried for the hosts before Lawrie Wilson fired over the crossbar. The visitors then failed to capitalise on a free kick in a good position following a foul on Joe Bennett on the edge of the Addicks box.
In a mainly uneventful first half, though, it was clear to see that Brighton’s crisp passing game was posing problems for a Charlton side low on confidence and short of a killer instinct in front of goal.
The second half saw a debut for Charlton Athletic’s Tony Watt, with the Scottish forward signing from Standard Liege in the week. The debutant almost made the dream start as he fired a shot away from a tight angle after a clever run into the box, but Stockdale was alert and was able to palm the ball away to safety. Moments later, Bob Peeters’ side would be left to rue that missed opportunity.
Following a needless foul to the right of the penalty area, March delivered a great free kick into the Charlton penalty area, and Ince arrived at the back post to nod past the flapping Etheridge and give the visitors the breakthrough.
Charlton created half chances for Watt and Igor Vetokele in the closing stages, but neither were able to find the net in another poor performance from the East London outfit.
Whilst Charlton remain five places above Brighton in 14th, it is their decline in results and performances that will have fans fearing another relegation battle. The Seagulls, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their new manager’s start, and they will hope a new-found confidence will lift them further towards mid-table safety and away from the drop zone.