Charlton Athletic first half double earns victory against Burton Albion

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Charlton Athletic scored twice in the first half to earn themselves a victory over Burton Albion at The Valley in Sky Bet League One.

The Brewers showed the more attacking intent in the first few moments of the game, but Conor Washington opened the scoring for Charlton courtesy of his delightful chip. Three minutes from half time, Corey Blackett-Taylor doubled Charlton’s lead, just their second shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

It was the Addicks who would start the second half the brightest and they may have been disappointed to have not scored more. Burton left it until the final 15 minutes or so to threaten the home side but they were unsuccessful in their limited attempts.

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Job done for Charlton in the first half

Johnnie Jackson named the same starting XI for the Addicks from their 1-0 win over Gillingham earlier in the week. Oumar Niasse led the line for Burton, with the former Everton striker being his side’s hero last weekend thanks to his winner against Fleetwood Town.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s team had the first real chance of the game as Conor Shaughnessy saw his flick on goal go just wide of the post in the opening five minutes. They continued to attack their opponents from then on, with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson enjoying a lot of possession down the left-hand side in the hopes of creating a goalscoring chance.

However, it was Charlton who scored first in the game. Goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray collected a flick from a free-kick and proceeded to quickly launch the ball up top towards Washington. The striker was then able to chip the ball from outside the box over Ben Garratt in the Brewers’ goal, scoring against the run of play.

Burton looked to find a response to the opener and were putting the pressure on the Addicks, but the hosts did well to hold onto their lead and remained resilient in their defending.

The Brewers had their best chances of the game to score within the space of two minutes as half time approached. Former Charlton man Deji Oshilaja rattled the crossbar from outside the box, with goalkeeper MacGillivray fully beaten. Niasse then did well to bring down and control the ball with his chest, but his following effort was fired over the bar.

With three minutes until the break, the Addicks’ lead was doubled. Blackett-Taylor was able to beat his man on the left and switch the play to the right, before the ball made its way back to him and he rolled it into the bottom left corner.

Seven attempts from Burton in the opening 45 minutes, but it was Charlton who led at the break.

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Burton struggle to respond

As the second half commenced, it was the hosts who came back onto the pitch the better side. Alex Gilbey, who scored the only goal against the Gills earlier in the week, hit a free-kick straight into the wall, before Washington was denied a second with a blocked shot.

Blackett-Taylor was also looking to add to his tally for the day but his effort went into the side netting, and he was soon substituted off the pitch through injury.

The tempo of the game died down for a few minutes, with Charlton looking relatively unfazed when Burton looked to attack in the search for a way back into the match.

Niasse went down inside the area after a push in the back and the travelling fans screamed for a penalty, but referee Rebecca Welch waved play on. Just a couple of minutes later up the other end Jayden Stockley had a great chance to make it 3-0, but his header was hit straight into the path of Burton ‘keeper Garratt.

With around ten minutes left to play Niasse had another opportunity to net for the Brewers, but the hosts did well to block his attempt on goal and and therefore deal with the threat. Burton fans called for another penalty soon after, only for Welch to award Charlton a free-kick.

Throughout the latter stages of the match it looked as though the result was settled, with the hosts happy to see the game out and earn themselves a second consecutive victory. Washington once again had a great chance to score his side’s third of the day, but his curled attempt on the break was blocked.

Adlene Guedioura’s volley from outside the box was the final chance of the match and summed up Burton’s day in front of goal as it went sailing over the bar.

The full time whistle soon came and the Addicks have won their second game on the trot, with Burton losing their 18th game in the league this season.

Charlton will now turn their attentions to their trip to Doncaster Rovers next Saturday, while the Brewers visit Morecambe at the beginning of April.

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