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  • Date: 2008-08-09
  • Kick-off: 15:00
  • Attendance: 21675
  • Referee: Beeby, R

Live Commentary

90mins

That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.

85mins

Goal!! Charlton have scored with Andy Gray putting it in the back of the net.

85mins

Goal!! Charlton have scored with Andy Gray putting it in the back of the net.

83mins

Charlton are replacing Lloyd Sam with Hameur Bouazza.

79mins

Darren Pratley is being taken off, Garcia Jordi Gomez has come on in his place.

77mins

Jerome Thomas is being taken off, Grant Basey has come on in his place.

77mins

Kelly Youga is replaced by Grant Basey.

74mins

Swansea are replacing Mark Gower with Jason Scotland.

72mins

Charlton are replacing Lloyd Sam with Hameur Bouazza.

69mins

It's red. He's off. Gary Monk has been sent off.

67mins

The referee has booked Gary Monk.

63mins

Swansea are replacing Guillem Bauza with Febian Brandy.

55mins

Jonjo Shelvey is replaced by Matt Holland.

46mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 1 v 0.

45mins

The ref has blown his whistle for half time.

28mins

Ferrie Bodde goes into the referees book for unsporting behaviour.

3mins

Goal!! Charlton have scored with Mark Hudson putting it in the back of the net.

3mins

Goal!! Mark Hudson scores for Charlton.

0mins

The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Match Report

Headed goals at the beginning and end of their match gave Charlton Athletic a 2-0 victory over Championship newcomers Swansea City at The Valley, but the Londoners were taken all the way by the Welshman.

But the home side got off to the perfect start with new signing and captain Mark Hudson heading them in front in just two minutes from a perfectly-flighted corner by 16-year-old midfielder Jonjo Shelvey.

It was easy to see why Swansea were so dominant before promotion to the Championship, as they continued to play excellent football despite the set back and dominated possession for long periods, but lacked a cutting edge.

Their goalkeeper Dorus de Vries had to make a fine tip over save to deny Lloyd Sam a second for the home side and Swansea's first-half efforts were reduced to half chances, until Thomas Butler produced their best chance, his shot being turned away to safety by Charlton keeper Nicky Weaver.

In the second half Swansea should have equalised after just a minute when Guillem Bauza shot wide from 15 yards when he should have done better.

Youngster Shelvey was replaced by the experienced Matt Holland for Charlton on 55 minutes, but the home side were unable to break down the strong Swansea defence.

But the visitors' chances of getting back into the game were wrecked on 68 minutes when their skipper Gary Monk was sent off for a crude tackle on Matt Holland just two minutes after being booked for another foul.

Swansea threw on last season's leading scorer, 23-goal Jason Scotland, as a substitute on 74 minutes. He is not fully fit following a stomach operation, but he immediately brought the best out of Weaver who saved the striker's powerful shot by chesting it away.

Charlton finally got a second breakthrough with five minutes remaining when a brilliantly taken free-kick by young substitute Grant Basey saw striker Andy Gray net with a stooping header.

There was encouragement for both managers in the performance of their teams.

Charlton boss Alan Pardew has had to trim his staff to cut costs, but his young side showed plenty of pace and enthusiasm despite their inexperience whilst newly promoted.

Swansea need not fear life in the higher division if they continue to produce their flowing football and find their shooting boots.

Charlton Athletic

Swansea City

Corners

73

Fouls

1913

Goal attempts

716

Shots off target

05

Offsides

84

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