Preview: Charlton Athletic

14 January 2022

It's another mid-table clash for Cheltenham Town on Saturday when Charlton Athletic are the visitors (kick-off: 3pm).

Last week's home meeting with Burton Albion ended all square, and this Saturday the Robins will be aiming to move further in front of Charlton who will be making their first ever League visit to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium after one previous trip in the League Cup.

When Cheltenham travelled to former Premier League outfit Charlton earlier in the season goals from Matty Blair and Taylor Perry sealed a noteworthy 2-1 win.

This weekend's encounter is sure to be another challenging outing against a team littered with quality in all areas.

A large crowd will be in attendance so fans are advised to leave plenty of time to collect or purchase tickets on matchday. Tickets are available to buy online. Purchase before midnight on Friday to save £2 on tickets.

In the 14th minute of the match there will be a round of applause inside the stadium to remember Richard Allsopp, the former Robins Trust board member who sadly passed away in the summer of 2020. A dedicated and popular member of the Trust and Robins fans, Richard suffered from Noonan Syndrome, a rare condition that affects one in 2,500 new-born babies. There will also be a bucket collection for the Noonan Syndrome Association at the match.

Team news

There could be an opportunity for some of the club's January arrivals to be involved. Ben Williams, Reece Hutchinson, Aaron Ramsey and Charlie Brown (pictured) could make their debuts. Southampton loanee Dan Nlundulu meanwhile could make his second appearance after starting last Saturday's draw with Burton Albion.

George Lloyd has returned to the club but won't be involved due to injury. Dylan Barkers loan move to Leamington also rules him out.

Media talk

Michael Duff knows all too well the quality that Charlton possess in their ranks ahead of their visit on Saturday.

"Since Johnnie (Jackson) has gone in they've gone on an unbelievable run," he said in his pre-match press conference. "They've got some good players. I expect them to be better than what they were last night against Crewe. I expect them to be better because we played well at their place so I don't think they'll take us lightly.

"Charlton against Cheltenham it's a big team against a little team so we'll have to be at it.

"They are a good team. They've got international footballers, people like Ben Watson on the bench who has won an FA Cup and the career that he's had. They've got quality throughout the squad."

New addition Ben Williams has also been speaking to the press ahead of a game where he could make his debut for the club.

Opposition

Having lost their last three League One matches, Charlton find themselves 14 points off the play-off places and a league position behind Cheltenham going into this weekend's game.

Their latest outing was on Wednesday night when they travelled to Crewe Alexandra but suffered a 2-1 defeat.

Although not currently pushing towards the top end of the table they boast a squad with significant experience and quality for the level.

Their forward options include Northern Ireland international Conor Washington, Birmingham City loanee Jonathan Leko, Luton loanee Elliot Lee, and the lively Diallang Jaiyesimi who helped Swindon Town win League Two a couple of seasons ago.

Further experience is provided by midfielder Alex Gilbey, while also in the same area of the pitch 36-year-old Ben Watson, who scored the winning goal for Wigan Athletic in the 2013 FA Cup final, offers the quality that saw him play most of his career in the top flight.

At the back Akin Famewo is on loan from Norwich City and significant experience is provided in the shape of Jason Pearce, who at 34, can boast a career spent playing for the likes of AFC Bournemoth, Portsmouth, Leeds United and Wigan.

The manager: Johnnie Jackson

Following two previous spells as caretaker manager, Johnnie Jackson was appointed full-time boss in December having previously served as assistant manager.

It's his first management job in the game after a playing career that saw him spend the final eight years of his playing career with the Addicks.

The Camden born midfielder started his career at Tottenham Hotspur and following a series of loans at Swindon Town, Colchester United, Coventry City, Watford and Derby County he went onto feature permanently for Colchester again, as well as at Notts County.

He is assisted by another former Charlton player in the shape of Jason Euell.

Tickets

You can purchase tickets for the game online up to midday on Saturday. If you buy before midnight on Friday you can save £2 on each ticket.

Tickets are available to buy on the day though it's strongly recommended leaving plenty of time to do this before kick-off. Standing tickets can be bought from the matchday sales point in the car park, for the Autovillage Stand from the ticket office and for the Colin Farmer Stand next to the Parklands turnstiles.

Pre-paid tickets are available to collect for the Autovillage Stand, Paddock, Tunnel and Optimising IT Stand from the matchday sales and collection point in the car park. Colin Farmer Stand tickets can be collected next to the Parklands turnstiles.

Match programme

The big interview in Saturday's match programme is with Alfie May as he reflects on the role he's had in the team this season and his progress from proving himself in non-league to making it in the Football League.

There's also the latest from chairman David Bloxham, Michael Duff writes his pre-match notes, new signing Aaron Ramsey reflects on his loan move, Dan Nlundulu on his transfer to Cheltenham and Kyle Vassell discusses his time as a Robins player following his recent departure.

The programme is on sale around the stadium at a price of £3 and can also be bought online.

Coverage

Radio: Purchase an audio match pass and listen to the game online with iFollow. BBC Radio Gloucestershire are also providing full match coverage.

Social media: For live updates follow @CTFCofficial. Score updates will be available on the club Facebook and Instagram account.

Website: Post-game visit the club website to read a match report and to see reaction from the management and squad to the match.

Highlights: Extended highlights will be available to watch on iFollow, plus look back on the action on the club's YouTube channel and on TV on Sky Sports and Quest.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Robins 1-1 Charlton Athletic

15 January 2022

Subscribe to watch

Cheltenham Town v Charlton Athletic - Extended highlights - Sat 15th January 2022

Extended highlights of Cheltenham Town v Charlton Athletic, Sat 15th January 2022 in the Sky Bet League One

Cheltenham Town were robbed of their first win of 2022, after a late equaliser saw the Robins draw 1-1 against Charlton Athletic.

Dan Nlundulu scored his first Cheltenham goal after pouncing on a loose ball and slotting it into the net over Charlton keeper Stephen Henderson.

Alfie May and Callum Wright also had big moments throughout the match to increase the Robins lead, but only the Southampton loanee converted for the Robins.

Charlton struggled to create clear cut chances throughout, but a scrappy extra time tap in from Chuks Aneke saw the Robins draw their third match of the New Year.

“I thought the players performance was excellent,” said manager Michael Duff.

“My job is to focus on results, their job is to perform well. They could’ve won four games today.”

The Robins dominated the first half chances, with May, Wright and Nlundulu all forcing the Addicks keeper into making good saves.

May had the first opportunity to test their keeper, after Nlundulu sent our top goal scorer through on goal, but the forward took too many touches and Henderson smothered the ball.

Wright broke with the ball and had an even better one versus one chance against Henderson, but his delicate chip wasn’t high enough to go over the head of the keeper and the match remained goalless.

Cheltenham continued their attacking onslaught with a free kick launched into the back post to Sean Long. The Irishman sent it back into the box towards Wright, however it was just behind the loanee from Leicester.

Nlundulu capped off a superb counter-attack with a tap in to net his first Robins goal. Wright’s long shot forced Charlton 'keeper Henderson into making a diving save to his right, but the ball fell to the Southampton loanee to put Cheltenham up before half time.

A fired up Charlton side came out of the blocks fast and made an immediate impact in the second half. New Addicks signing Aneke managed to lift the ball up and over Evans, but his looping effort grazed the cross bar.

The Robins responded immediately as Wright’s partnership with May continued to flourish as he found the striker inside the penalty area. May instinctively struck the accurate cross first time and it seemed destined for the back of the net, but a quality goal line block from captain Ryan Inniss denied the Robins of a second.

The first save of the match for Owen Evans came in the 58th minute. Charlton midfielder Elliot Lee took it upon himself to test the Robins 'keeper with a well-struck volley which was dealt comfortably by the keeper.

Wright found May again, with arguably his best delivery to the number 10. The ball looped over the defender and May opted for a low driven volley, which was inches past the far post.

It was free flowing football from Cheltenham after that. A number of exquisite passes lead to the Robins winning a corner. Watford loanee Mattie Pollock was on the receiving end of May’s cross, although his header narrowly fizzed past the near post.

The traveling fans thought they had found their much-desired equaliser when the ball found it’s way to substitute Jonathan Leko, but the wingers powerful strike drifted wide of the far post.

The second half became an exciting ordeal as both sides battled hard for the next goal of the match, producing waves of end-to-end attacks and it seemed Cheltenham would take a well-deserved win.

However, a final push in additional time saw Aneke bundle the ball over the line to snatch a point.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Evans; Long, Pollock, Boyle (c), Freestone, Sercombe (Bonds 94’), Thomas, Wright (Raglan 84’), Blair, Nlundulu (Williams 91’), May.

Subs not used: Flinders (Gk), Williams, Brown, Horton.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (3-4-1-2): Henderson, Dobson (Gilbey 79’), Famewo, Jaiyesmi (Blackett-Taylor 45’), Morgan, Matthews (Leko 66’), Lee, Aneke, Inniss (c), Clare, Burstow.
Subs not used: Harness (Gk), Purrington, Pearce, Watson.

REFREEE: S Stockbridge

ATTENDANCE: 4,709 (1,515 away)

Ticket News

Tickets on sale for Charlton this weekend

13 January 2022

Save £2 on match tickets for Saturday's home fixture against Charlton Athletic by buying before midnight on Friday.

Former Premier League side Charlton visit the Jonny-Rocks Stadium for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.

It's the second meeting between the clubs this season after a 2-1 Cheltenham win at The Valley in September 2021.

Tickets for the match are on sale and can be bought online at any time or from the ticket office during opening hours.

If you purchase before midnight on Friday you can save £2 on ticket prices which go up on the day.

The turnstiles at the Jonny-Rocks are cashless so you'll need a ticket to enter the stadium and with a large crowd expected the club are advising supporters to arrive at least 30 minutes before kick-off.

You'll be able to see the pre-match thoughts from inside the camp online in the build up to the game plus all of the match previews with the information you need to know if you are attending the game.