Charlton Athletic 1-0 Leyton Orient: FLW report as Addicks secure play-off glory and return to Championship

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·25. Mai 2025

Charlton Athletic 1-0 Leyton Orient: FLW report as Addicks secure play-off glory and return to Championship

FLW reports from the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium, as Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient faced off for a place in the Championship.

Charlton Athletic clinched promotion to the EFL Championship at Wembley Stadium, beating Leyton Orient via a stunning free-kick from Macaulay Gillesphey.

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The opening 30 minutes of the contest were an end-to-end battle, before Gillesphey struck a free-kick worthy of promotion past Josh Keely to give Charlton the lead.

This advantage lasted until the break, as the Addicks went in at half-time still 1-0 up, and seeking a second to give Leyton Orient a mountain to climb.

The O's started the second half as the better side, with a great effort from Jack Currie whistling just wide, and Charlie Kelman hitting the top of the bar with a deflected shot.

However, Charlton held firm, and after 11 minutes of stoppage time, Nathan Jones' side secured a return to the Championship for the first time since 2020.

Charlton Athletic 1-0 Leyton Orient

First-half

The teams came out to a rapturous ovation from both sides of the national stadium, as the two London clubs prepared to battle for a spot in the Championship next season.

It was a positive start from both teams, but Orient forced the first corner of the game through a quick break from Kelman. Jamie Donley's corner was easily caught by Will Mannion in the Charlton net.

Ethan Galbraith had the first shot of the contest, but it was one he'd want to erase from his memory quickly, as it flashed well wide of Mannion's post.

Another clean counter from Leyton Orient gave them a promising opportunity. Ollie O'Neill and Donley with a neat one-two set the former free in the box. His shot was well blocked by Kayne Ramsay.

Bang on the 30-minute mark, the Charlton end erupted as Gillesphey gave his side the lead. An excellent free-kick from about 22-yards out curled past a diving Keeley, giving the Addicks a 1-0 lead.

That goal was the final action of the first half, as Nathan Jones' side went into the dressing room with a 1-0 advantage. The goal had knocked the wind out of Orient's sails slightly, and they desperately needed to regroup.

Second-half

Neither manager opted for a switch at half-time, but both left the 11 that started the game to continue the battle.

The O's knew what they needed to do, and managed to force Mannion into his first real save five minutes after the restart. Donley played in Galbraith down the right, but the Charlton keeper was there to gather the defender's cut-back.

Currie then produced his side's best chance of the game. A deflected strike from range had Mannion scrambling across his goal. Fortunately for him, the deflection did enough to just take it past the post.

That would only be Richie Wellens' side's best chance for four minutes, as Kelman then rattled the crossbar after his shot from outside the box was again deflected. Orient had made a really bright start to the second-half, and Charlton had no answers.

The O's then won a free-kick in a similar position to where Gillesphey had scored from in the first-half. Donley stepped up but couldn't repeat what the Charlton defender did earlier, smashing his effort against the wall.

Substitute Karoy Anderson almost had an instant impact for his side, winning the ball deep inside Orient territory. He found Greg Docherty, whose strike was deflected and tipped over the bar by Keeley.

There was a lengthy delay as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes. Referee Andrew Kitchen left the field of play, although it was unclear why.

When the clock struck 90, it was announced there would be 11 minutes added on at the end of the match for Orient to try and force extra time.

After 11 minutes, which would've felt like 11 years for Addicks supporters, Kitchen put his whistle to his lips and brought pure delight to Charlton. After five years away, Championship football will be coming back to The Valley next season.

Despite the pressure and the chances they created, Wellens' side couldn't find the goal they needed to force extra time, and would be spending another season in League One. Despite this, the O's deserve so much credit for reaching the final and completing an excellent turnaround.