A devastating draw in the FA Cup second round for the Addicks on Saturday saw Stockport rescue a replay match in the dying embers of the game.
Reluctant Replay
Myles Hippolyte’s last-ditch equaliser secured a replay for the League Two side, set to be broadcast on ITV 4. The tie will be settled on the night as if the score is level at full time, extra time and penalties will follow to decide the winner.
The Addicks will now face a long trip to Greater Manchester for the second-round replay on Wednesday 7th December.
Qualification into the next stage would see Charlton host Walsall, following the result of Monday night’s cup draw.
Changes For Charlton
For the FA Cup tie, Ben Garner made 10 changes to the side that were knocked out of the Papa Johns Trophy during the week, as Albie Morgan remained the only player to keep his spot in the starting eleven.
The Reds’ gaffer set out his team in the familiar 4-3-3 formation, with super-sub Chuks Aneke receiving his first start of the season in the centre forward role.
The visitors made a shock start as they went ahead within the opening three minutes, a set-piece routine straight off the training ground saw Chris Hussey’s dangerous cross find the back of the net.
Exceptional Response
The Addicks reacted fantastically to going a goal down, piling on the pressure and receiving their reward in the 23rd minute, Charlie Kirk slotting a ball in behind to Fulham loanee Steven Sessegnon down the left wing.
The promising full-back took on his man and beat him into the box, before sending a drilled ball across the face of goal, which was turned in by Hatters’ defender Joe Lewis.
A dominant first half performance from the home side reflected in the score line as Charlton were ahead with five minutes to go in the first half.
A beautifully weighted ball from the halfway line was sent over the Stockport defence by George Dobson, 22-year-old Albie Morgan took it down with excellent technique before lobbing Stockport keeper Ben Hinchcliffe from 12 yards.
Devastation At The Death
Both sides came out from the interval seeking another goal, with a handful of dangerous chances created by the visitors. The best of these chances came when the ball fell to Ryan Rydel seven yards out, but he dragged his shot wide.
At the other end, Morgan came close to grabbing his second with a potential goal of the season contender as he was played through down the right.
The midfielder caught the keeper off his line and sent an audacious lob toward goal, but the effort was tipped over by the Hatters’ shot stopper.
Heartbreak struck in the dying embers of the game as the visitors drew level in the 97th minute, yet again from a set piece.
An inch-perfect ball from a corner was met by Myles Hippolyte at the front post, who nodded his header back across goal and into the opposing corner, sending the 925 visiting supporters into a frenzy.
Edited by Josh Morton
