Copied from CAFC website; HNK Gorica 0 Charlton 2 Charlton made it two wins from two in pre-season, scoring two late goals to beat Croatian side HNK Gorica 2-0 in Slovenia. With seven minutes remaining Gorica goalkeeper Davor Matijas dropped a Karoy Anderson corner into his own net, which was followed by a well-taken strike from academy prospect Ibrahim Fullah. The game also allowed summer signings Thomas Kaminski, Amari’I Bell, Joe Rankin-Costello and this week’s arrival, Rob Apter, to get their first minutes in a Charlton shirt. In a first half of few openings, while the Addicks had more of the ball, it was Gorica that had had the first chance at goal with Kaminski saving comfortably from a free header inside the Charlton penalty box. The Addicks' best chance of the half came in final minute of the period and was the culmination of a good spell of passing. Macaulay Gillesphey found Josh Edwards running in behind in the left channel. The wing-back did well to dig out a cross from the byline and Tanto Olaofe beat his man to the ball but saw his diving header go just wide of goal. As planned Nathan Jones made 11 substitutions at half time and the second half was more open than the first. Ashley Maynard-Brewer did well to palm away Luka Vrzic’s shot and the striker also dragged wide from a good position. The busy Rankin-Costello won the ball back just outside Gorica’s penalty area but his chipped shot was gratefully gathered by Matijas. Micah Mbick curled a free kick just wide and Anderson could have scored when he won the ball on the edge of the penalty area but couldn’t find the target with his shot. As the Charlton pressure grew Matijas showed his class palming away a Fullah shot and then denying Mbick’s close-range follow-up. Praise for the goalkeeper was shortlived as he tried to claim Anderson’s inswinging corner in the 83rd minute. Under no pressure, the goalkeeper was unable to catch the ball at the first attempt and the assistant referee’s flag was immediately raised to confirm that the ball had crossed the line. Fullah, who impressed with his endeavour, scored Charlton’s second. The 18-year-old, who made his Addicks debut at the end of last season, got on the end of an excellent Kayne Ramsay diaganol ball. Fullah controlled well, created enough space to get off a low shot across goal, which found the corner of the net. After picking up another win, the Addicks will prepare for a trip to Wealdstone on Wednesday. HNK Gorica: Matijas, Mikanovic, Filipovic, Les, Pozo, Prsir (c), Fiolic, Durakovic, Kavelj, Peric, Erceg HNK Gorice subs: Zarkov, Gurlica, Cuic, Kucis, Cabraja, Vrzic, Pelko, Dukic, Josic, Vuko, Ilic, Kasumovic, Gashi Charlton (first half): Kaminski; Z.Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Asiimwe, Docherty (c), Coventry, Carey, Edwards; Olaofe, Kanu Charlton (second half): Maynard-Brewer; Ramsay, A.Mitchell, Bell; Apter (Dixon 79), Fullah, Rankin-Costello, Anderson, Enslin (Mbick 70); Leaburn, T.Campbell Subs (not used): Reid Goals: Matijas (own goal) 83, Fullah 86 Assist: Ramsay 86 Booked: Jones 22 Referee: Markez Aljosa
These games are all about game time and getting formations in practice. Hopefully injuries will be avoided.
