Charlton Vs Wrexham: charlton vs wrexham ends 0-1 as Rathbone sinks Addicks
charlton vs wrexham finished 0-1 after Ollie Rathbone's first-half strike at the Valley, a goal that left Wrexham holding a four-point cushion over the sides chasing a top-six spot. The result and team changes from Nathan Jones matter now to both clubs: Wrexham extended a strong away run, while Charlton left the Valley frustrated and still seven points clear of the relegation places.
Charlton Vs Wrexham — Rathbone's 30th-minute volley and new deals
Rathbone's superb 30th-minute effort came after Callum Doyle's cross was headed away to the edge of the area, where Rathbone flicked the ball away from a defender onto his left foot and his skidding volley skimmed into the far corner. It was Rathbone's sixth goal in the Championship since returning from injury in December, and he has scored six league goals this season despite missing the first four months of the Championship campaign through injury.
The strike ensured Phil Parkinson's side retained a four-point cushion over the sides chasing a top-six spot. Wrexham duo Rathbone and George Dobson sign new deals.
Charlton carved chances but could not finish; mounting frustration for Nathan Jones
Charlton created some of the game's best openings but returned from them empty-handed, a sequence that made it four games without a win. Before Rathbone's opener, Charlton had found themselves in space inside the Wrexham box three times and three times failed to score.
Luke Berry took a second too long to pull the trigger, allowing Issa Kabore to block superbly. Former Addick George Dobson threw himself at the ball to stop Sonny Carey, and Harry Clarke got his angles wrong and skewed wide when he really should have scored as Charlton's counter continued to cause problems. A wayward header from Tyreece Campbell was the most glaring missed opportunity after the break.
The defeat leaves Charlton seven points clear of the relegation places, and manager Nathan Jones will rue his side's wastefulness.
Okonkwo's late save and key defensive moments kept Wrexham ahead
Wrexham needed a brilliant 90th-minute save from goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to deny Sonny Carey and protect the slender lead. When Carey did hit one on target earlier, Charlton again found Okonkwo at full stretch and at his best.
Four minutes after the restart Lewis O'Brien should have doubled Wrexham's lead when he met Kieffer Moore's cross, but Kayne Ramsay did well to thwart the danger. Those interventions and Okonkwo's late stop were decisive in a match where fine margins mattered.
Nathan Jones makes five changes; team news, lineup and matchday squad (KO 10am ET)
Nathan Jones made five changes to his side for the fixture at The Valley, a match with kick-off listed as KO 3pm GMT (KO 10am ET). The game was Charlton's fourth in a hectic 12-day period; there were two enforced changes and several rotations.
Thomas Kaminski missed out with a hamstring injury, and Conor Coady was not allowed to play against his parent club. Will Mannion, Reece Burke, Conor Coventry, Luke Berry and Tyreece Campbell came into the side, with Luke Chambers, Greg Docherty and Miles Leaburn moving to the substitutes bench.
Kayne Ramsay, captain Lloyd Jones and Burke may start in a back three in front of Mannion. Harry Clarke and Amari’i Bell may operate as wing-backs, although defensive versatility could mean a different shape. Coventry and Berry were likely to be joined by Sonny Carey in midfield, behind a front two of Lyndon Dykes and Campbell.
January signing Tiernan Brooks was named in a matchday squad for the first time and was joined on the bench by Collins Sichenje, Macaulay Gillesphey, Chambers, Docherty, Joe Rankin-Costello, Jayden Fevrier, Leaburn and Charlie Kelman.
Charlton starting lineup named: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones (c), Burke; Clarke, Coventry, Carey, Berry, Bell; Dykes, Campbell. Subs: Brooks, Sinchenje, Gillesphey, Chambers, Docherty, Rankin-Costello, Fevrier, Leaburn, Kelman.
The fixture was available to watch on CharltonTV outside of the UK and Ireland, while those in the UK and Ireland could listen to live audio commentary from Terry Smith, Greg Stubley and former Addick Steve Brown.
Designed & built by Other Media, Powered by Clubcast.
Wrexham's away form and the wider context
Wrexham extended their unbeaten away run to six games and have not lost on their travels since a late defeat at Swansea City before Christmas. From the last 18 points on offer on the road, Wrexham have collected 16 of them. Fans flying Welsh flags in the away end on St David's Day weekend will have enjoyed the win coming at the expense of compatriot Jones.
