Charlton Athletic had a real morale boost by beating West Ham 4-2 in a friendly at Upton Park on Thursday.
Goals from Basile Camberling, a Joe Pigott brace – one a penalty – and Mark Gower were enough to defeat higher grade foes.
Camberling is a 26-year-old Frenchman who started his career at Nancy and had a fine game, playing off Joe Pigott at the front. Forgotten man, Jordan Cook, was another to impress.
West Ham fielded a strong team that included Joe Cole, former Charlton loanee, Carlton Cole, Matt Jarvis, Stewart Downing, James Tomkins and Matt Taylor.
The Hammers went ahead after 24 minutes when Jarvis’ deep cross was headed home at the far post by Petric. The Addicks restored parity within two minutes, following good work by Cook, who pulled the ball back for Camerling to convert from close range.
Five minutes before the break, the visitors took the lead. Pigott beat two players in the box before being upended. The young striker got up to despatch the penalty himself.
The Addicks were to make nine changes during the second half – only Ben Alnwick and Cedric Evina played the entire ninety minutes.
Just four minutes into the second period, Charlton opened up a two goal lead. Cook again fed Camberling but the trialist’s shot was parried by Adrian. Unfortunately for the keeper, Pigott was alert and slotted home the rebound.
Adrian did make a good save to foil Pigott from notching his hat-trick a little later though.
Midway through the half, the hosts reduced the arrears when George Moncur latched onto a pass from Leo Chambers to beat Ben Alnwick.
The scoring was completed three minutes from the end, when Jack Munns’ shot was saved by Adrian, only for Mark Gower to turn the rebound in.
Chris Powell will have been delighted with his team’s performance and may have seen enough to convince him that a more adventurous approach could reap dividends in the league.
Charlton: Alnwick; Wilson (Green 68), Morrison (Wood 46), Dervite (Feely 83), Evina; Stewart (Harriott 73), Hughes (Gower 73), Pritchard (Cousins 68), Cook (Munns 83); Pigott (Sordell 73), Camberling (Osborne 68).
Sub (not used): Hamer.
Goals: Camberling26, Pigott 40 (pen), 49, Gower 87.
West Ham: Adrian; Damel, Taylor, Tomkins, Potts; Ruddock, J Cole, Downing, Jarvis; C Cole, Petric.
Subs: Nemrava, Moncur, Sadlier, Lee, Chambers, Whitehead, Driver.