Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Cambridge United v Charlton (17/09/24)

Cambridge United 1 (N’Lundulu 44, pen), Charlton 2 (Edun 24, Godden 30).

Kevin Nolan watches Charlton’s second string get the better of Cambridge United down among the Fens. It might not amount to much in football’s wider plan but one things he knows – winning beats losing any day of any week. And Nathan Jones seems to agree…

An entirely re-vamped Charlton selection, showing no fewer than 11 changes from the side which tamed the Shrews three days previously, made unduly heavy weather of edging past Cambridge United on Tuesday evening. Their untidy victory placed them at the head of their 4-team BSM Trophy group, with their next assignment a home tie against Chelsea U-21s on October 29th.

Clearly superior to their bottom-of-League One hosts, the Addicks cruised into a two-goal first half lead and were within a minute of taking it into the break until defensive irresponsibility gifted United a way back into the contest and made the second half an uphill slog instead of the cakewalk it promised to be. It was just as well they hung on to their 2-1 lead because an understandably irritated Nathan Jones might not otherwise have been so tolerant of Karoy Anderson’s brain fade.

Having diligently tracked Korey Smith’s run to the left byeline, Anderson had his opponent where he wanted him – or so it seemed – until he launched into a totally unnecessary challenge which swept Smith’s legs from under him. Referee Carl Brook’s award of a penalty was inevitable and Dan N’kundulu made the most of the unexpected windfall from the spot. It was a break Gary Monk’s men hardly expected but it changed the course of an apparently routine second half.

Charlton were actually within sight of the finishing line when Anderson again stepped over the line. His reckless tackle on James Brophy earned him a second caution and, with it, dismissal. In fairness, he made solid contact with the ball but his follow-through was unduly violent. It was not an evening young Karoy will care to remember but his lawlessness was out-of-character and he’ll learn.

Nathan Jones was suitably restrained in his post-game reaction to events. “I’m absolutely delighted with so much” he commented. “I’m a little bit annoyed with Karoy’s challenge for the penalty and it’s silly because he’s on a booking. But that’s probably the only negative for the night.” A fly on the wall of Charlton’s half-time dressing room might have offered a different version of the exchanges between manager and player but best left, soonest mended…

Much earlier in the proceedings, N’kundulu should have fired Cambridge a 3rd minute lead but headed ex-Addick Jordan Cousins’ perfect cross straight at Ashley Maynard-Brewer. United were well in the game when they fell behind to a goal of unmistakeable quality, its scorer the recently overlooked left wingback Tayo Edun. Hanging back as Rarmani Edmonds-Green’s soaring cross from the right touchline cleared a cluttered penalty area, Edun used one touch to set up the venomous drive he rifled into the bottom far corner of Vicente Reyes’ net. It’s a pleasure to record that the embattled Anderson, along with Matty Godden, contributed to the build-up which led directly to the goal.

Relaxed and confident, the Addicks doubled their advantage six minutes later. Again Edmonds-Green was the main provider, his raking through ball sending Daniel Kanu on a lung-bursting run down the left flank. Kanu’s all-out effort was capped by the perfectly judged low cross, which left Godden with the simple task of sidefooting simply past Reyes. Their second goal was due reward for some pleasing-on-the eye football provided by the relaxed, rampant visitors. Their bubble was about to burst but they still packed a powerful punch.

Godden began the second period by forcing Reyes to tip his looping header over the bar before Cambridge’s youthful keeper pulled off a brilliant double-save to keep out another bullet from Edun and the follow-up effort returned by Edmonds-Green. Reyes deserved the support he received from Liam Bennett, who cleared off the line from Godden.

Charlton’s muted second half performance shouldn’t overlook the unglamorous, sturdy defending which kept United at bay and eventually saw them to victory in this lightly regarded and frankly confusing Cup competition. On frequent occasions, no fewer than three blocks were thrown in the way of close range shots and their will-to-win was unquestioned. They lived on their nerves, though, when Sullay Kaikai –
another former Addick – headed docilely at Maynard-Brewer when an added time equaliser seemed certain. Bring on Chelsea – or at least their U-21s!

Cambridge: Reyes, O’Riordan, Morrison, Okedina, Bennett, Cousins (Brophy 46), Smith (Digby 46), Longelo, Kaikai, Barton (Ibsen Rossi 70), N’Kundulu (Njoku 45). Not used: Chadwick, Hoddle, Holmes. Booked: O’Riordan, Longelo, Digby.

Referee: Carl Brooks. Att: 1,028 (213 visiting).