FA CUP REPORT | Charlton 0 Plymouth Argyle 1

Charlton were beaten 1-0 at The Valley by Plymouth Argyle in the first round of the FA Cup. 

Luke Jephcott’s goal on the hour was enough for the visitors to edge a close game between two sides looking to play football.

Lee Bowyer made eight changes from the team that beat Fleetwood Town in midweek and handed a first Charlton start to Marcus Maddison on the right of a front three in a 4-3-3 formation.

The 27-year-old looked keen to make an immediate impact and shot wide on his right foot in the second minute and then with his favoured left foot in the ninth minute. His best chance came when he collected a clever pass from Dylan Levitt and was able to turn, he opted to shoot from just outside the area but his effort didn’t trouble Plymouth stopper Michael Cooper.

At the other end Panutche Camara was causing problems, he blazed wide in the 23rd minute and shot straight at Ashley Maynard-Brewer in first-half stoppage time. Ryan Hardie hit the side-netting with a snapshot and maybe the visitors’ best chance of the first half fell to Jephcott but was well blocked by Charlie Barker. 

After a fairly even start to the second half Plymouth took the lead with a neat passing move that resulted in Jephcott nipping in on the edge of the six-yard box to give his team the lead on the hour mark.

Charlton nearly struck back immediately with Aneke heading over and Williams struck a left-footed shot from outside the area too close to Cooper. 

Substitute James Vennings made a difference after his 64th minute introduction and chipped a delicate cross to the back post which Ben Purrington met with his head but Cooper was able to get his body behind the ball to keep the Addicks out. 

Barker forced an excellent save from Cooper in stoppage time when he directed a clever flick at goal but it wasn't to be for the Addicks as Plymouth moved on to the second round.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Matthews, Barker, Inniss, Purrington; Forster-Caskey (Maatsen 84), Levitt, Morgan; Williams, Aneke (Washington 64), Maddison (Vennings 64)

Subs (not used): Amos, Wiredu, Pratley, Henry

Booked: Levitt (21, foul on Camara), Aneke 61 (foul on Opoku), Forster-Caskey (71, foul on Edwards)

Plymouth Argyle: Cooper, Watts, Aimson, Edwards (C), Hardie (Telford 75), Mayor, Moore, Fornah, Opoku, Camara (Grant 90), Jephcott (Nouble 75)

Subs (not used): Ruddy, Canavan, Reeves, Cooper

Goal: Jephcott 60

Booked: Nouble 88 (foul on Barker)

Referee: N Hair

Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)

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