Charlton 1 Shrewsbury Town 1
A fantastic goal from George Dobson claimed a point for the Addicks on Saturday afternoon, as they drew 1-1 with Shrewsbury Town in the final game at The Valley this season.
Salop had enjoyed an excellent first half on Tuesday night at Bolton, and were quick off the mark again today.
In the 15th minute, a remarkable passage of play somehow ended without a Shrewsbury goal. From a short corner, Jordan Shipley’s excellent cross found Morgan Feeney at the back post. The defender’s header went back across the goal, came off the upright, hit Tunmise Sobowale, hit the post again, and came back out.
Four minutes later the away side went close again – after Michael Hector fouled Tom Bloxham on the edge of the box, Elliott Bennett’s free kick had to be touched over by Harry Isted.
Shrewsbury would not have to wait much longer for the goal their play had deserved. In the 23rd minute, Bloxham ran on to a long ball down the right from Sobowale, and played inside for Daniel Udoh. The striker lashed a shot across goal and in at the far post.
Charlton improved after going behind, and were nearly level in the 37th minute in spectacular fashion. After Tayo Edun poked the ball through to Alfie May, the striker took it to the byline and tried an audacious chip from the tightest of angles, but saw his effort tipped off the line by Marko Marosi.
It had not been a perfect first period from the Addicks, but they put it right within 50 seconds of the restart.
A hesitant touch in midfield was seized upon by May, who quickly gave it Connor Wickham. The big striker played a lovely through ball for George Dobson, who showed fantastic composure to round the goalkeeper and slide the ball into the empty net.
Having scored on opening day at The Valley against Leyton Orient, the skipper was clearly delighted to grab a goal in the Addicks’ last home game of the season.
Suddenly Charlton were in the ascendancy, and went close to taking the lead three times in the following 20 minutes. First, in the 49th minute, Coventry tried to feed Kayne Ramsay and saw his ball come back off Mal Benning. It fell back to Coventry, who curled a left-foot shot just wide of the far post.
In the 58th minute, Thierry Small crossed for Karoy Anderson, who headed just over from six yards out.
Another opportunity came in the 65th minute when substitutes Ramsay and Daniel Kanu combined, the latter seeing his shot saved by Marosi as he raced into the box on the right.
As the half wore on, Salop were able to wrestle back some control of the game. The final chance came 20 minutes later when Chuks Aneke burst into the box on the left but shot into the side-netting.
Dobson’s strike would prove to be the last goal at The Valley this season. Nathan Jones’ side have one remaining fixture – their visit to Wycombe Wanderers next Saturday.
Charlton: Isted; Thomas, Hector, Gillesphey, Small; Dobson (c), Coventry, Edun (Ramsay 46), Anderson; May (Kanu 63), Wickham (Aneke 63)
Subs (not used): Ward, Campbell, Edmonds-Green, LuaLua
Goal: Dobson 46
Assist: Wickham 46
Booked: Isted 33 (foul on Bloxham)
Shrewsbury Town: Marosi; Anderson, Dunkley (c), Feeney; Sobowale, Winchester, Bennett, Shipley, Benning; Udoh, Bloxham (Bowman 77)
Subs (not used): Burgoyne, Sraha, Hinchy, Price, Bayliss, O’Brien
Goal: Udoh 23
Assist: Bloxham 23
Attendance: 15,187 (782 away)
Referee: Daniel Middleton