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North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Matty Godden's late strike sends Charlton into League One play-off final
Godden scrambled the only goal over the two legs after 171 minutes of attritional football to secure a Wembley date against Leyton Orient on May 25. Boss Nathan Jones sunk to his knees as fans invaded the pitch in emotional scenes after the final whistle. Lloyd Jones had earlier missed a golden chance for Charlton, while Kayne Ramsay made two stunning blocks to deny Wycombe. But Jones made amends by setting up Godden to fire Charlton to within one match of a return to the Championship, five years after they were relegated. Wycombe's preparation was not ideal as Franco Ravizzoli was thrust into the starting line-up for the first time since January after regular number one Will Norris was ruled out through injury. The Argentinian got off to a nervy start when he just about held a grass-cutter from Addicks skipper Greg Docherty. The first leg had been a cagey goalless draw, and Charlton also started the second slowly in front of a raucous, sell-out Valley crowd. But they gradually got on the front foot with Godden reaching the byline and pulling the ball back, although Tyreece Campbell was unable to get the vital touch. Charlton should have taken the lead seven minutes before half-time but for an awful miss from Jones. It came from another cross from Godden, which Jones met three yards out, in front of goal, and somehow headed wide. Moments after the break Ravizzoli made a fine save at his near post to keep out Alex Gilbert's close-range volley. But Wycombe remained dangerous on the break with top scorer Richard Kone – who was lucky to be playing after escaping a red card in the first leg for a nasty foul on Ramsay – their dangerman. Kone, named League One player and young player of the season, suddenly had a run at Addicks defender Macauley Gillesphey, muscled past him and lashed a shot into the side-netting. The game was getting stretched and Thierry Small, probably Charlton's brightest spark, cut inside from the right and curled a left-footed shot inches wide. Wycombe then had a massive chance on the break but Garath McCleary, on his 38th birthday, saw his shot blocked by Ramsay, who then somehow also got his body in front of Xavier Simons' follow-up. Moments later, with 81 minutes on the clock, the breakthrough finally arrived. Gillesphey pinged a long ball into the Wycombe area, Jones got his foot to it just before before Ravizzoli and Godden scooped it into an empty net to spark wild celebrations in this corner of south-east London.
North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Nathan Jones believes he proved critics wrong leading Charlton to play-off final
Matty Godden's solitary, scrambled goal, nine minutes from the end of a cagey two-legged affair, fired the Addicks into an all-London Wembley final against Leyton Orient on May 25. Jones, who was something of a derided figure as he lasted just three months in the Premier League at Southampton, collapsed to his knees in tears at the final whistle as jubilant fans streamed onto the pitch at a sold-out Valley. It means Charlton are one win away from a return to the Championship, five years after they were relegated. They have come a long way in just over a year having been 18th when Jones took over last February. They eventually ended up 16th last season, their lowest league finish for 98 years. 'It's massive relief, euphoria and pride,' said Jones. 'I had times at a Premier League club where people thought I didn't deserve to be there, regardless of how much I'd earned the right and gone through the divisions and coached at the highest level. 'All those things you remember. There was a bit of emotion with that. 'The players were excellent under big pressure today. And the goal, who else would you want that to fall to? We had to keep going, keep believing. 'I'm demanding, relentless, difficult to work with but the players have responded and deserve all the credit. They've been magnificent.' Godden struck when Lloyd Jones got his toe to a long ball into the box and hooked it into his path for a tap-in. 'It feels amazing,' said the striker. 'It was a bit of an out-of-body experience when the goal went in. It was so loud. The atmosphere was incredible and will live with me for the rest of my life.' That Wycombe's last shot on target was in the 28th minute of the first leg said a lot about their attacking ambitions. However, Addicks defender Kayne Ramsay did have to make an extraordinary double block to deny Garath McCleary and Xavier Simons shortly before Godden scored. 'There was a huge amount of emotion about the final outcome,' said boss Mike Dodds. 'It was two well-organised teams who cancelled each other out. 'I knew it would be decided by a moment, and I'm the one who didn't get that moment. I'm not going to point fingers at my team, they gave everything. It's a harsh lesson. 'But Nathan's done an incredible job and I wish them all the best.'
Glasgow Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Nathan Jones believes he proved critics wrong leading Charlton to play-off final
Matty Godden's solitary, scrambled goal, nine minutes from the end of a cagey two-legged affair, fired the Addicks into an all-London Wembley final against Leyton Orient on May 25. Jones, who was something of a derided figure as he lasted just three months in the Premier League at Southampton, collapsed to his knees in tears at the final whistle as jubilant fans streamed onto the pitch at a sold-out Valley. It means Charlton are one win away from a return to the Championship, five years after they were relegated. They have come a long way in just over a year having been 18th when Jones took over last February. They eventually ended up 16th last season, their lowest league finish for 98 years. 'It's massive relief, euphoria and pride,' said Jones. 'I had times at a Premier League club where people thought I didn't deserve to be there, regardless of how much I'd earned the right and gone through the divisions and coached at the highest level. 'All those things you remember. There was a bit of emotion with that. 'The players were excellent under big pressure today. And the goal, who else would you want that to fall to? We had to keep going, keep believing. 'I'm demanding, relentless, difficult to work with but the players have responded and deserve all the credit. They've been magnificent.' Godden struck when Lloyd Jones got his toe to a long ball into the box and hooked it into his path for a tap-in. 'It feels amazing,' said the striker. 'It was a bit of an out-of-body experience when the goal went in. It was so loud. The atmosphere was incredible and will live with me for the rest of my life.' That Wycombe's last shot on target was in the 28th minute of the first leg said a lot about their attacking ambitions. However, Addicks defender Kayne Ramsay did have to make an extraordinary double block to deny Garath McCleary and Xavier Simons shortly before Godden scored. 'There was a huge amount of emotion about the final outcome,' said boss Mike Dodds. 'It was two well-organised teams who cancelled each other out. 'I knew it would be decided by a moment, and I'm the one who didn't get that moment. I'm not going to point fingers at my team, they gave everything. It's a harsh lesson. 'But Nathan's done an incredible job and I wish them all the best.'
Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Nathan Jones believes he proved critics wrong leading Charlton to play-off final
Emotional Charlton boss Nathan Jones felt he proved some critics wrong after the 1-0 win over Wycombe sent them into the League One play-off final. Matty Godden's solitary, scrambled goal, nine minutes from the end of a cagey two-legged affair, fired the Addicks into an all-London Wembley final against Leyton Orient on May 25. Jones, who was something of a derided figure as he lasted just three months in the Premier League at Southampton, collapsed to his knees in tears at the final whistle as jubilant fans streamed onto the pitch at a sold-out Valley. It means Charlton are one win away from a return to the Championship, five years after they were relegated. They have come a long way in just over a year having been 18th when Jones took over last February. They eventually ended up 16th last season, their lowest league finish for 98 years. 'It's massive relief, euphoria and pride,' said Jones. 'I had times at a Premier League club where people thought I didn't deserve to be there, regardless of how much I'd earned the right and gone through the divisions and coached at the highest level. 'All those things you remember. There was a bit of emotion with that. 'The players were excellent under big pressure today. And the goal, who else would you want that to fall to? We had to keep going, keep believing. 'I'm demanding, relentless, difficult to work with but the players have responded and deserve all the credit. They've been magnificent.' Godden struck when Lloyd Jones got his toe to a long ball into the box and hooked it into his path for a tap-in. 'It feels amazing,' said the striker. 'It was a bit of an out-of-body experience when the goal went in. It was so loud. The atmosphere was incredible and will live with me for the rest of my life.' That Wycombe's last shot on target was in the 28th minute of the first leg said a lot about their attacking ambitions. However, Addicks defender Kayne Ramsay did have to make an extraordinary double block to deny Garath McCleary and Xavier Simons shortly before Godden scored. 'There was a huge amount of emotion about the final outcome,' said boss Mike Dodds. 'It was two well-organised teams who cancelled each other out. 'I knew it would be decided by a moment, and I'm the one who didn't get that moment. I'm not going to point fingers at my team, they gave everything. It's a harsh lesson. 'But Nathan's done an incredible job and I wish them all the best.'
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Nathan Jones believes he proved critics wrong leading Charlton to play-off final
Jones, who was something of a derided figure as he lasted just three months in the Premier League at Southampton, collapsed to his knees in tears at the final whistle as jubilant fans streamed onto the pitch at a sold-out Valley. It means Charlton are one win away from a return to the Championship, five years after they were relegated. They have come a long way in just over a year having been 18th when Jones took over last February. They eventually ended up 16th last season, their lowest league finish for 98 years. 'It's massive relief, euphoria and pride,' said Jones. 'I had times at a Premier League club where people thought I didn't deserve to be there, regardless of how much I'd earned the right and gone through the divisions and coached at the highest level. 'All those things you remember. There was a bit of emotion with that. 'The players were excellent under big pressure today. And the goal, who else would you want that to fall to? We had to keep going, keep believing. 'I'm demanding, relentless, difficult to work with but the players have responded and deserve all the credit. They've been magnificent.' Godden struck when Lloyd Jones got his toe to a long ball into the box and hooked it into his path for a tap-in. 'It feels amazing,' said the striker. 'It was a bit of an out-of-body experience when the goal went in. It was so loud. The atmosphere was incredible and will live with me for the rest of my life.' That Wycombe's last shot on target was in the 28th minute of the first leg said a lot about their attacking ambitions. However, Addicks defender Kayne Ramsay did have to make an extraordinary double block to deny Garath McCleary and Xavier Simons shortly before Godden scored. 'There was a huge amount of emotion about the final outcome,' said boss Mike Dodds. 'It was two well-organised teams who cancelled each other out. 'I knew it would be decided by a moment, and I'm the one who didn't get that moment. I'm not going to point fingers at my team, they gave everything. It's a harsh lesson. 'But Nathan's done an incredible job and I wish them all the best.'
