Charlton’s opening pre-season friendly resulted in a convincing victory over Crumlin United on Monday evening.
A double from Tony Watt, either side of an own goal from Crumlin goalkeeper Mickey Quinn, had Charlton in control with Ricky Holmes – fresh from signing a new deal – and Josh Magennis completing a 5-0 win.
Crumlin United: Quinn, Harding, Mandiangue, Gary Murphy, Rielly, Vickery, Hurley, Conor Murphy, Donnelly, Simpson, Brophy.
Subs: Dixon, Cummins, Barrett, Kinch, Walsh, McGuinnes, Curtis Murphy, O`Toole, Meehan, Kelly.
Charlton (first-half): Phillips, Solly, Bauer, Sarr, Jackson, Crofts, Ceballos, Stewart, Fosu, Watt, Novak.
Charlton (second-half): Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Teixeira, Konsa, Pearce, Barnes, Kashi (Dijksteel 86), Aribo, Ahearne-Grant, Holmes (Charles-Cook 80), Clarke (Magennis 71), Ajose.
Karl Robinson took the chance to look at most of his squad with changed line ups for each half.
He told the Official Website he was pleased to get these minutes into the players as Charlton move towards the upcoming season, which he feels we’ll be ready for when the League One campaign gets underway.
‘It`s about getting minutes into the legs. We`ve got to be like machines. We have to be quicker, stronger, more disciplined. It was pleasing in certain aspects and there were components I was happy with, but we`re four weeks away from where the season starts, so we`re a little bit away in terms of minutes and things like that.’
Adding: ‘We were a bit rugged in both defensive and offensive penalty areas at certain times. But that`s where the ball speed generally increases and where the communication and coordination comes back last.’
A long-term Achilles problem has kept Ahmed Kashi out of action for the best part of two seasons but the Algerian was also involved.
The boss said he looked ‘a class act’ and feels the genuine competition for places in midfield is a positive selection for him to content with.
Robinson said: ‘The pleasing thing for me is that Kashi came through 40 minutes and looked a class act which is something we`ve missed. We`ve got four or five midfield players who are really fighting for that position. I thought Crofty [Andrew Crofts] in the first half really got around the pitch and had an influence on it and the young players really looked a threat. But I won`t get excited over that. It`s pre-season training and it`s about going again tomorrow.’
Appreciative of the support shown from the fans who had followed Charlton to Ireland, Robinson would like to think this would have seen evidence witness of how he’s looking for the Addicks to play in his first full season in charge.
‘I want to thank the people that have come to watch. We know it costs money and we know it`s hard supporting a team, especially us sometimes! We`ve not really given people too much to smile about. So hopefully people have seen on the live stream that there is bit more of an intent to play football and play through thirds a bit quicker and hopefully we can continue that in the coming weeks.’
