Town fall to a narrow defeat as Charlton Athletic score a late winner at The Valley.

Town: Joel Coleman, Ryan Haynes, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Greg Docherty, James Bolton, Alex Gilliead, Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Lenell John-Lewis, 52), Luke Waterfall, Josh Laurent (Fejiri Okenabirhie, 74), Ollie Norburn (Anthony Grant, 62).

Subs: Steve Arnold, Mat Sadler, Charlie Colkett, Fejiri Okenabirhie, Anthony Grant, Ryan Barnett, Lenell John-Lewis.

Charlton: Dillon Phillips, Lewis Page, Patrick Bauer, Mark Marshall (Albie Morgan, 45), Lyle Taylor (Recco Hackett-Fairchild, 90), Darren Pratley, Joe Aribo, Karlan Grant, Chris Solly, Naby Sarr, George Lapslie (Anfernee Dijksteel, 90).

Subs: Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Anfernee Dijksteel, Taylor Maloney, Nicky Ajose, Albie Morgan, Recco Hackett-Fairchild.

Referee: Craig Hicks

Assistants: Andrew Williams and Paul Yates

Fourth Official: Paul Kelly

Attendance: 9429 (435)

Shrewsbury Town’s first away game of the season ended with Askey’s men just falling short of the mark, losing out 2-1 to Charlton Athletic.

A second half equaliser from Lenell John-Lewis wasn’t enough to earn Town a deserved point, as The Addicks number 18, Karlan Grant, managed to score a winner in the last moments of the game.

Team News:

Askey named his side to face Charlton Athletic with three debutants getting the nod. Greg Docherty, Luke Waterfall and Ollie Norburn all get their first starts under the gaffer and will be looking to impress in Town’s first competitive away game.


First Half:

The first 10 minutes of the game passed without either team having a clear opportunity to be in on goal. Town were having some success on the wings through Shaun Whalley and Alex Gilliead, but both couldn’t find a blue and amber shirt in the box.

Both teams looked equally dangerous on the counter attack, but both teams were struggling to break down the opposition back line. Town’s movement and passing helped Askey’s men push up the pitch but The Addicks defensive resolve remained strong.

In the 28th minute, Town had a golden opportunity to take the lead. After sustained pressure, Town earned a corner. Whalley’s delivery was met by the towering Omar Beckles, but the defender couldn’t guide his header towards the net.

As the half entered the final 10 minutes, Town were the side looking more likely to score. After a good period of possession, Greg Docherty found himself on the edge of the box, the midfielder let off a shot from outside of the box, which just whispered past the post.

With just five minutes remaining, The Addicks nearly took the lead. A neat pass from Lyle Taylor played through Addicks number 18 Karlan Grant through on goal. A last ditch tackle from Ryan Haynes cleared the ball and denied Charlton a clear shot at Joel Coleman.

The half came to an end with the team’s level on the scoresheet. Good attacking play from both teams wasn’t enough to break down either side’s defensive line.


Second Half:

Town started the second half just as they finished the first. A free kick on the edge of the box allowed Whalley to deliver in another cross, the winger found Aaron Amadi-Hollway in the box, but the striker’s header was well saved by Dillon Phillips at his near post.

Cracks were beginning to show in the Charlton defence. Gilliead and Haynes combined well to earn the Shrews a corner. Another good delivery from Whalley found Beckles inside the box, but the defenders half volley went just wide of the mark.

Against the run of play, The Addicks managed to get themselves a goal in the 62nd minute. George Lapslie crossed in a great ball and Charlton’s number nine, Lyle Taylor, headed home past Coleman to give the home side the lead.

In the 74th minute, Lewis Page was given a yellow card for a strong challenge on James Bolton, as Town were looking to break on the counter attack.

Town were pilling the pressure on, in the search for an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining in the game. Good wing play throughout the tie was proving to be successful for Askey’s men. Once again, a good ball was delivered into the box but Charlton did well to clear the ball.

In the 83rd minute, all of Town’s hard work paid off. A perfect cross in from Fejiri Okenabirhie found its way to Town’s club captain, Lenell John-Lewis. The striker
leaped into the air and headed the ball home, in front of the travelling Salop fans, putting the score line level.

In the final moment of the game, Charlton managed to find a winner. Karlan Grant managed to get a nick on the end of a cross and the ball found its way past the Town keeper.

The game ended with all three points remaining in Charlton, as Lee Bowyers men found a late winner in the final moments of the game.