Charlton 0 Wrexham 1
Charlton fell to a narrow defeat to play-off hopefuls Wrexham on Saturday, despite an encouraging showing at The Valley.
Oliver Rathbone’s first-half strike proved to be the difference for the Red Dragons, but it did not tell the full story with the Addicks enjoying the vast majority of the action throughout, without getting the goal their performance deserved.
The hosts were forced into an early change when Reece Burke was forced off through injury just 13 minutes into the action, replaced by Collins Sichenje for his home debut.
Despite the disruption, it was a bright start from Charlton, who dominated for the first half hour of proceedings, with a number of good opportunities passing them by.
On 20 minutes, Luke Berry was denied from 10 yards by a goal-saving block from Issa Kaboré, before Harry Clarke let a gilt-edge opportunity slip by when he dragged wide from an excellent position in the box with the goal gaping.
Despite the Addicks' promise, however, it was the visitors who would take the lead against the run of play on the half-hour mark. With the ball dropping to Rathbone on the edge of the box, he sent a smart, low volley into the bottom right-hand corner, out of reach of Will Mannion.
It was harsh on the home side who were looking the far more likely up to that point. Indeed, it was the Red Dragons’ first real foray into the final third which saw them take the lead which they would take into the break.
Nathan Jones shuffled his pack ahead of the restart by introducing Joe Rankin-Costello off the bench in place of Berry and there was nearly an instant impact when Sonny Carey’s ball into the box very nearly found the outstretched toe of Rankin-Costello, but he could not get the killer touch required.
At the other end moments later, it took a big block by Kayne Ramsay to deny Lewis O’Brien in the box and that would prove to be a rare opening for the away side.
The Addicks were still having the better of the action in the second half and came close when Tyreece Campbell headed over from close range from Lydon Dykes’ ball in, while Carey’s shot from the edge of the box deflected just wide of the post.
With 15 minutes remaining, Jones threw on Miles Leaburn and Charlie Kelman for Amari’i Bell and Conor Coventry to inject further attacking influence. Leaburn put over a volley from a tight angle on 81 minutes as Charlton piled on plenty of pressure as the clock ticked down.
In the 90th minute, a headed clearance fell kindly to Carey on the edge of the box who hit it sweetly on the volley with the ball looking to be heading in, only for Arthur Onkonkwo to produce a brilliant, points-saving stop for the Red Dragons.
In truth, Charlton’s efforts were well worthy of at least a point, but they it was the Welsh outfit who would hold on for all three.
The Addicks will dust themselves down and go again in SE7 next Saturday as they host Birmingham City.
Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay (Gillesphey 84), Jones, Burke (Sichenje 13), Clarke, Coventry (Kelman 74), Carey, Berry (Rankin-Costello 46), Bell (Leaburn 74), Dykes, Campbell.
Subs (not used): Brooks, Chambers, Docherty, Fevrier.
Booked: Ramsay 17 (foul on Kaboré), Coventry 69 (foul on Rathbone)
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle, Kaboré (Longman 69), Dobson (Scarr 89), O’Brien, Thomason, Rathbone (Vyner 76), Broadhead (Windass 69), Moore (Smith 89).
Subs (not used): Ward, Keillor-Dunn, Cadamarteri, Barnett.
Booked: Moore 89 (time wasting)
Goal: Rathbone 30
Referee: Sam Allison
Att: 21,844 (2,089 from Wrexham)
