Charlton Athletic V
Fleetwood Town
02/09/2023
Played
15:00
The Valley
Charlton Athletic
2
-
1
Fleetwood Town
Kick off
15:00

The Addicks came from behind to return to winning ways with a 2-1 triumph over Fleetwood Town in Jason Pearce's first game as Interim Manager.

Pearce had said before the game that he expected maximum commitment from his players: “I’ve got to see 100% from everybody and if they are not going to display that then they are not going to play. That is the minimum expectation.”

His players responded by giving him exactly what he asked for, despite making a slow start at The Valley.

Former Addick Jayden Stockley rattled a free-kick against the underside of the crossbar early on and, with 16 minutes played, went one better. Ryan Broom found space on the right to pick out a cross to the back post, where the visitors' number nine rose highest to head home.

Moments before the break, a piece of magic from full debutant Chem Campbell saw Charlton draw level.

Picking up the ball in midfield, the Wolves loanee played a perfect ball in behind the Fleetwood defence for Alfie May, who dispatched under the onrushing Stephen McMullan coolly.

Pearce saw his team return for the second half with far more energy and intent. 10 minutes after the restart, the Addicks had a big shout for a penalty waved away when Chem Campbell went down under a challenge from Olabosun Lawal.

Just over 15 minutes after that, Lawal would not be so fortunate. Tayo Edun played a perfect reverse ball for Corey Blackett-Taylor, who skipped inside Lawal and was clipped by the defender. This time, referee Carl Brook pointed to the spot and May stepped up to smash his penalty down the middle and put the Addicks ahead.

A resolute performance from Pearce’s side followed to ensure Charlton recorded a second league win of the season.

The Addicks are next in action away at Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

Charlton: Isted; Asiimwe, Hector, Jones, Edun (Thomas 85); Dobson (c), Anderson, C.Campbell (Taylor 85); T.Campbell (Leaburn 67), May, Blackett-Taylor (Kirk 90+6)

Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Ness, Kanu

Goals: May 43, 73 (pen)

Assists: C Campbell 43, Blackett-Taylor 73

Bookings: May 74 (excessive celebration), Blackett-Taylor 78 (off-ball incident), Pearce 79 (dissent), Taylor 90+5 (time-wasting), Hector 90+9 (foul on Asamoah)

Fleetwood Town: McMullan; Nsiala, Lawal, Holgate (Patterson 90); Rooney (Hayes 75), Quitirna (Mayor 63), Vela (c), Broom, Johnston; Stockley (Tshimanga 75), Graydon (Asamoah 75)

Subs (not used): Harrington, Robertson

Goal: Stockley 16

Assist: Broom 16

Bookings: Lawal 33 (kicking the ball away), Hayes 82 (foul on C Campbell)

Attendance: 11,309 (119 away)

Referee: Carl Brook