Charlton went out of the Carabao Cup at The Valley on Tuesday evening. After a 0-0 draw, the Addicks were eliminated 5-3 on penalties by Forest Green Rovers. The game was poor entertainment for the sparse Valley crowd.
Lee Bowyer made eleven changes to the team that started against Stoke on Saturday.
Sam Field made his debut and showed his class, he never gave the ball away once, and he made some terrific tackles too.
Naby Sarr came desperately close to opening the scoring just before the half-hour mark, but keeper, Joe Wollacott, blocked the shot with his face.
The best chance of the game fell Charlton’s way midway through the second-half when Naby Sarr – skipper for the night – was brought down in the area.
Unfortunately for the Addicks, Jake Forster-Caskey’s penalty was poor, and Joe Wollacott was able to make a comfortable save.
The penalty shoot-out was staged in front of the small band of travelling supporters in the Jimmy Seed Stand.
Rovers went first and converted all five of their spot-kicks, but after Macauley Bonne and Naby Sarr had netted, Albie Morgan saw his effort saved. Though Deji Oshilaja coolly slotted home the fourth penalty, Rovers scored their fifth and Charlton were out.
In time honoured tradition, the Addicks can now concentrate on the league…..well, until January at least.
Charlton: Amos; Wiredu, Oshilaja, Sarr, Doughty; Field (Ocran 78), Lapslie,Forster-Caskey, Morgan; Aneke (Quitirna 62), Bonne.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Stevenson, Dempsey.
Booked: Aneke 56 (foul).
Penalties: Bonne (scored), Sarr (scored), Morgan (saved), Oshilaja (scored).
Forest Green Rovers: Wollacott; Godwin-Malife, Kitching, McGinley; Adams, Allen, Morton, Mills, Bernard; Stevens (McCoulsky 69), Mondial.
Subs (not used): Smith, Winchester, Collins, Dawson, Covil.
Booked: Bernard 86 (handball)
Penalties: Mills (scored), Grubb (scored), Adams (scored), Morton (scored), McCoulsky (scored)
Referee: John Busby (Oxfordshire).
Attn: 2,693 (159 Forest Green).