Charlton Athletic 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers: FLW reports as the Addicks reach Play-off final | OneFootball

FLW reports from the second leg of the League One play-off semi-finals, as Charlton Athletic hosted Wycombe Wanderers.

Matt Godden's late strike set up a date at Wembley for Charlton Athletic, as they beat Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 to advance to the League One play-off final.

The first half was mainly controlled by Charlton, who came close through Lloyd Jones' diving header ten minutes from half time. However, neither side could break the deadlock heading into the break.

After a frantic second-half, Nathan Jones' side took the lead via Matt Godden in the 80th minute. An error from Franco Ravizzoli allowed the veteran striker to tap home, which sent his side to Wembley.

Charlton Athletic 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers

First half

The teams came out to a raputrous welcome from all four sides of The Valley. You could barely hear yourself think over the immense vocals and pyrotechnics.

Wycombe forced a couple of corners in the opening three minutes. The Chairboys opted for a short routine but their opponents were able to succesfully clear their lines.

Luke Leahy was then caught napping by Gilbert, who robbed him of the ball in his own half. The Middlesbrough loanee played in Godden, who flashed a ball across goal which narrowly evaded the path of the arriving Campbell.

Charlton looked the better of the two sides in the opening 20 minutes, and their fans reacted accordingly with the pressure they applied to the Wycombe net.

The home crowd started to get a little frustrated with the amount of long balls being hammered forward that weren't finding their targets. It was a similar story for the visitors, who couldn't have anything off an imperious Jones.

The Valley almost erupted seven minutes from half time, as more great play from Godden allowed him to cross into an unmarked Jones. The dominating defender dived in top cushion the header home, but he somehow put it well wide. A let off for Mike Dodds' side.

After three minutes of stoppage time, referee Dean Whitestone blew for half time. The Addicks were firmly on top throughout the first period, but had yet to properly test Ravizzoli in the Wycombe net.

Wanderers had defended stoutly, but once again their attacking output was minescule, as every single aimless long ball forward was won by the Charlton back line.

Second half

Right after play resumed for the second period, Dan Udoh had to perform a vital block to deny Gilbert from close range. A long throw fell to the winger in the Wycombe box, but the Nigerian was in the way.

Richard Kone had a wonderful chance on the break to give Wycombe the lead. A dangerous Charlton attack was cleared to Garath McCleary who found the Ivorian who ran towards goal, but drilled his shot into the side netting.

A nice move from the Addicks then freed Campbell down the left flank. He cut the ball back and found skipper Docherty, who unleased a low shot at goal, but Sonny Bradley was on hand to clear the ball well.

Small then latched on to a loose ball that was spilled by Adam Reach. The fan favourite cut inside and shot, which narrowly skided wide of Ravizzoli's far post.

The addition of Fred Onyedinma almost proved to be an instant success. The winger burst down the right flank and found McCleary at the far post. His shot from close range was blocked, and the rebound which fell to Xavier Simons was also charged down.

The roof came off The Valley with 10 minutes to play. An absolute shambles from Ravizzoli in the Wycombe net as he hesitated to come a collect a loose ball. The ball riocheted around in the penalty area and fell kindly to Godden who couldn't miss.

The fourth official gave the Chairboys four minutes to save their season, but nothing would do and the adventure ended in Greenwich on Thursday night.

Charlton were the better side on the night and will head to Wembley on May 25th to take on London rivals Leyton Orient for a place in the Championship.

Charlton Athletic player ratings

Wycombe Wanderers player ratings

F. Ravizzoli - 5

J. Grimmer - 6

C. Taylor - 6

S. Bradley - 6

A. Reach - 6 (G. Kodua 86'(6))

X. Simons - 6

L. Leahy - 5

C. Humphreys - 6

G. McCleary - 4 (K. Sadlier 86'(6))

R. Kone - 6 (F. Onyedinma 71'(6))

D. Udoh - 5

Unused subs: S. George, T. Bakinson, J. Low

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Match attendance

There was a sold-out crowd of 25772 to watch Charlton's home leg of the League One play-off semi-final, with a measly 1600 contributing to that number from Wycombe.

Nathan Jones reacts as Charlton Athletic reach Wembley

Speaking to LondonNewsOnline, a thrilled Nathan Jones said: “Massive relief, euphoria, pride, anything really that’s positive.

“But the big thing is relief. When you’re a manager you work so hard and prepare a team and then when something comes off, sometimes people think well it’s just euphoria or ego.

“It’s not, it’s relief and that’s the overriding thing. I’m so proud, so proud of the club tonight, every single member of the club, every member of staff, the board, all the board were here tonight, the owners, they saw a proper football club.

“They came in and bought the club two years ago, the infrastructure and the platform was there, it just needed bringing together and they saw a proper football club again tonight. I’m so proud, so proud of everyone, the fans, staff and especially the players because they were excellent, under big pressure today.

Mike Dodds reacts as Wycombe's historic season ends in dismal fashion

Speaking to TalkSport after the game, Wycombe boss Mike Dodds said: "The emotions are still quite raw at the moment.

"I think it was two teams that cancelled each other out. Obviously, the two legs weren't games for the purists, but I thought it was two well-organised teams, and we spoke internally about whether the two ties would come down to a moment and ultimately, that's what happened.

"We had our moment - they've taken their moment, and we haven't taken our moment. It's a harsh lesson for us as a group, and it's a harsh lesson for me in terms of a first role as a head coach, but we'll use this motivation for next season. We'll make sure we come back a much better version of what we are at the moment."