Charlton 1 (Henry 90) QPR 1 (Roberts 80 (Charlton win 5-3 on penalties).
Although Ben Garner made eight changes from the side which toughed out their 1-0 victory over Derby County three days previously, there was no indication that the new boss intended any disrespect to the Carabao Cup. A strong looking team included two full debutants in Miles Leaburn and Jack Payne but was solid and experienced throughout. Charlton were clearly up for the Cup and so, to their credit, were Championship likely lads QPR.
An entertaining first round, during which chances were few, was heading for a penalty shoot-out when two of the ten substitutes who joined the action, made their presence indelibly memorable. Just ten regulation minutes remained (extra-time was removed from the equation) when Andre Dozzell seized on Lucas Ness’ hesitant pass and fed Tyler Roberts, making his first Rangers appearance while on loan from Leeds United. There was Premier League quality in Roberts’ smooth step inside and the magnificent right-footed drive which zipped past Joe Wollacott on its way into the far top corner. A sizeable contingent of travelling fans behind the keeper’s goal raucously celebrated what appeared, at the time, to be the matchwinner. But Charlton -and a guilt-stricken Ness – were having none of it. Youth was about to have its way.
Roberts had entered the fray as a 61st minute replacement for playmaker Ilias Chair. He was quickly followed by Charlton’s Aaron Henry, who relieved the energetic George Dobson, and made an immediate impact. Not 19 until August 31st, Henry’s progress through the youth ranks has been monitored with interest. Among his virtues is noted an uninhibited readiness to shoot accurately from distance, a go-for-broke talent for which Garner’s battling Addicks had reason to be thankful.
Fellow teenager Miles Leaburn – also 18 – had been a persistent thorn in QPR’s side, his willingness to close down defenders regularly unsettling the West Londoners’ defence. As the game entered its last minute, his muscular hustle earned a last chance corner, which yet another substitute Albie Morgan – hardly a doddery veteran himself at 22 – hurried to take. An inswinging delivery was disputed near the penalty spot by Roberts and Ness, whose wholehearted challenge forced an inconclusive clearance to Henry, loitering with intent outside the area. The kid’s venomous drive, struck cleanly on the half-volley, exploded past Seng Dieng and Charlton were still in the Carabao Cup.
The penalty shoot-out was, from Charlton’s point of view anyway, blessedly brief and satisfyingly sweet. After Jayden Stockley converted routinely, Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen stepped up to equalise. His low drive beat Wollacott’s dive but struck the keeper’s trailing leg before making its way to safety by way of the crossbar. Three of Johansen’s colleagues netted their spotkicks but their efforts were already too little and too late. Charlie Kirk, Morgan, and the irrepressible Henry rose to the occasion, their efforts setting up Eoghan O’Connell, skipper for the evening, to seal the deal. The boy from the rebel county of Cork managed to squeeze a low shot between Dieng and his left-hand post and the Addicks had made it into the unfamiliar territory of the second round.
An evenly contested game, absorbing but hardly spinetingling, was redeemed by two flashes of individual quality and enlivened by the undoubted drama of a penalty shoot-out. But after Henry’s brilliant strike, substitute Mide Shodipo came within inches of emulating Roberts in added time. Re-tracing Roberts’ steps, his curling shot had Wollacott scrambling across his goalline but passed harmlessly wide. Earlier on, Rob Dickie might have made more of the header, from Dozzell’s corner, that he directed straight at Wollacott. At the other end, Charlton’s moments were even fewer; Leaburn headed Sean Clare’s cross over the bar during the early going and Jake Forster-Caskey ended the first half by firing over the top. Goalmouth incidents were rare and you’ll appreciate my making the most of what there were. So, a brief word from the guv’nor and we’re done.
“We defended well and restricted them,” commented Garner, “I’m well pleased with them. We now push on to Saturday.” Actually, Ben, we push on to Wednesday on Saturday, but let’s not split hairs. We know what you meant.
Charlton: Wollacott, Clare (Ness 62), Lavelle, O’Connell, Clayden, Jaiyesimi (Stockley 75), Forster Caskey (Morgan 75), Gilbey, Payne (Kirk 74), Dobson (Henry 62), Leaburn. Not used: McGillivray, Fraser, Kanu, Chin. Booked: Clare.
QPR: Dieng, Kakay (Drewe 75), Dunne, Dickie, Chair (Roberts 61), Thomas, Field (Johansen 70), Hamalainen, Dozzell, Bonne (Armstrong 61), Adomah (Shodipo 61). Not used: Walsh, Dykes, Masterson, Gubbins. Booked: Field.
Referee: Stuart Attwell. Att: 5,629 (2,587 visiting).