SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Saturday August 19th, 3.00pm
The Valley
CHARLTON ATHLETIC 4
Josh Magennis 2
Ricky Holmes 61
Jake Forster-Caskey 90, 90
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Marc Richards 79
Attendance: 11,289 (881 Cobblers fans)
Charlton: Ben Amos, Ahmed Kashi, Patrick Bauer, Jason Pearce, Josh Magennis, Billy Clarke (sub Johnnie Jackson 90), Ricky Holmes (sub Ezri Konsa 83), Tariqe Fosu (sub Karlan Ahearne-Grant 73), Jake Forster-Caskey, Chris Solly, Jay Dasilva
Subs not used: Dillon Phillips, Naby Sarr, Joe Aribo, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild
Cobblers: David Cornell, Leon Barnett, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre (sub Daniel Powell 73), Aaron Phillips (sub Brendan Moloney 13), David Buchanan, Matt Crooks, Yaser Kasim (sub Matt Grimes 57), Marc Richards, Billy Waters, Alex Revell
Subs not used: Luke Coddington, Regan Poole, Joe Iaciofano, Shaun McWilliams
Referee: Kevin Johnson
Booked:
Charlton: Jake Forster-Caskey (74), Jason Pearce (90)
Cobblers: Aaron Pierre (49, 2nd of the season), Matt Crooks (84, 2nd)
5 cautions on or before 30 November; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 11 April; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Charlton: none
Cobblers: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Leon Barnett returned to the side for the trip to Charlton after serving a one-match ban, Regan Poole dropping to the bench where he was joined by new signings, goalkeeper Luke Coddington and Swansea loanee midfielder Matt Grimes. In a late change, Marc Richards replaced Chris Long after the on-loan Burnley striker picked up an injury in the warm-up. Prior to kick-off there was an impeccably observed period of silence to remember those who tragically lost their lives in the Barcelona attacks on 17 August.
Charlton started brightly and took the lead inside two minutes, Josh Magennis heading home a cross from former Cobblers winger Ricky Holmes. David Cornell then parried a shot from Holmes as the Addicks looked for a quick second.
Marc Richards volleyed a shot just wide and tested home goalkeeper Ben Amos before the Cobblers were forced into making an early change, Brendan Moloney replacing the injured Aaron Phillips.
Amos denied Ash Taylor as the Cobblers pressed for an equaliser but Charlton continued to look dangerous, Tariqe Fosu spurning a good opportunity to make it 2-0 with Holmes a constant threat.
A deft header from Richards presented Billy Waters with a chance in-behind the Charlton defence but the striker couldn’t convert from a difficult angle. Cornell saved a scuffed shot from Holmes as the first half drew to a close.
Moloney headed just wide from a Waters cross as the Cobblers began the second half on the front foot. Justin Edinburgh made a change in midfield with Matt Grimes coming on to make his debut in place of Yaser Kasim.
Ricky Holmes doubled the home side’s lead just after the hour mark, breaking into the box before firing an unstoppable shot passed Cornell.
Daniel Powell, back from a hamstring injury, came on for Aaron Pierre in the Cobblers final change and Powell played a big part as the Cobblers pulled a goal back, delivering the ball back across goal for Marc Richards to touch in from close range.
The Cobblers appealed for a penalty in stoppage time when Leon Barnett appeared to be bundled over in the area. With the Cobblers pressing Charlton scored twice on the break, Jake Forster-Caskey bagging an excellent brace in injury time as the game finished 4-1.
CHARLTON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (6) 10
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 8
CORNERS: (3) 6
FOULS: (7) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 2
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (1) 2
FOULS: (2) 7
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0