3-0 lead turns into 4-3 defeat

It was very much a 2nd XI look for the Charlton side at Shrewsbury tonight. Ross Worner made his debut with other first time starters including Bally Smart, Simon Francis, Yado Mambo and Lee Martin. Carl Jenkinson made his first appearance on the bench and Llera and Stavrinou also featured.

There were no early chances for either side apart for an early sitter for Abbott reports Paul May. Robinson put in a good shot from 35 yards out and he was not far off target. Ainsworth advanced down the right and Llera had to deal with him.

Abbott showed his worth by swivelling well and toe poking the ball under the keeper to make it 1-0 to Charlton. Martin turned provider with a great ball and Abbott the predator got across his marker and slid in to make it 2-0.

Martin advanced, danced inside with a bit of trickery and from some 20 yards out put the ball in the bottom corner to make it 3-0 after 31 minutes.

Smart advanced and fed Abbott but on the half turn he blazed it over the crossbar. Robinson headed the ball down, got inside the Charlton defence and he made it 1-3 with a clinical finish. It was poor defending by Llera and Mambo, but Worner came out well.

A good 40 yard ball from Llera over the top found Martin, he rounded the keeper but the defender was able to clear off the line at the expense of a corner. Robinson threatened again, but this time Mambo was able to clear. Wright put in a ball across the ball the goal, it may have gone in as an own goal from Mambo to divert it beyond Worner and make it 2-3.

Wagstaff advanced down the right, but Smart's effort was blocked by Raven. Shrewsbury advanced and Francis did not defend well. A strike from Robinson deflected for a corner, Racon having been brought down by a challenge and requiring attention. The corner was eventually cleared.

Four minutes were added on. Ainsworth advanced, Mambo made a hash of the clearance, the locals claimed for a penalty for handball against Francis but it wasn't given and Worner cleared. Llera dealt with a cross.

Half time: Shrews 2, Addicks 3

The first half started quietly. Martin had an effort, but it went just over the bar.
Robinson had another effort but it went just wide. Francis defended well. Stavrinou was looking a little tired. Wagstaff made a good run, but he couldn't find Abbott.

Solly dealt well with a through pass. Ainsworth made a good run, he was well tracked by Solly at left back at the expense of a corner. The rather quiet Bally Smart was taken off and replaced by Reid. The corner led to a second one and Shrewsbury equalised through the big centre half O'Donnell.

Charlton won a free kick 10 yards out the penalty area. The delivery by Martin was good but Francis headed it past the upright. Wagstaff put in a decent cross but it was claimed by Smith in the Shrewsbury goal.

An effort from Reid looked as if it was deflected but Charlton did not get the corner. Martin hit the crossbar having got in behind the defence and Abbott put the follow up over.

Mambo was taken off in favour of Doherty. Racon advanced and he was fouled by Disley who got a yellow card. Llera's effort deflected and went over the bar for a Charlton corner which was unproductive. Shrewsbury counter attacked and the unmarked Harold put it in the back of the net to make it 4-3. Chris Solly should have cleared.

Stavrinou was taken off and Akpo Sodje came on. Sodje almost found Abbott with a good header. There was good interplay between Abbott and Reid leading to a Charlton corner. Shrewsbury broke away, but Solly defended well. The Shrews took off Robinson.

Francis won a corner for Charlton. Reid broke, Martin got the ball, Racon put in a shot which was only just past the post. He should probably have passed for a better opportunity. Reid made another good run, but Disley intercepted. Shrewsbury counter attacked, were possibly offside, but hit the post and five minutes were
added on.

Charlton won a corner and kept up the pressure. Martin put in an effort from distance even though he had three men in front of him including Sodje. Francis put in a great cross, but Smith dealt with it well.

All a bit embarrassing, but we haven't got the strength in depth to cope with cups.