Charlton Athletic have one foot in the second round of the League Cup after an entertaining 4-2 first leg win over Fulham at Upton Park this evening.
The Addicks went ahead in the tenth minute after a miskick from Jeff Eckhardt allowed Colin Walsh to release Garry Nelson into the box. The experienced striker’s shot was saved by the legs of Jim Stannard but the ball ran for Carl Leaburn to fire home from six yards out. Left back Scott Minto doubled Charlton’s lead on 28 minutes by slipping a low shot past a stranded Stannard after a lovely one-two with the influential Leaburn had opened up the Fulham defence.
Gary Brazil brought Fulham back into the contest two minutes in the second half. The former Newcastle forward’s first of an eventful evening came from the penalty spot after referee Mike James had pointed to the spot after John Marshall had theatrically tumbled under a challenge from Minto.
But Charlton went straight down the other end and increased their lead when Walsh outjumped Mark Newson to bury a brilliant header from Rob Lee’s cross after good hold up play from Leaburn. Brazil scored from the spot again after Udo Onwere was caught by Walsh just inside the box – and the Fulham forward tucked away a composed finish in the bottom right corner of the net.
Stannard saved superbly with his heels when Nelson latched onto a long ball from Bolder but Charlton gave themselves a two-goal cushion to take to Craven Cottage for the second leg when Andy Peake chased down a through ball from Paul Bacon and his low shot spun into the net having ricocheted off Stannard’s knees.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Bolder; Minto, Pitcher, Peake, Gritt, Bacon, Gatting, Lee, Walsh, Leaburn, Nelson. Subs (not used): Brown, Salako.
GOALS: Leaburn (10), Minto (28), Walsh (48), Peake (70).
FULHAM: Stannard; Newson, Morgan, Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Scott, Onwere, Marshall, Pike (Cobb 61), Brazil, Haag (Milton 62).
GOALS: Brazil (pen 47, pen 50).
REFEREE: Mike James.
ATTENDANCE: 3,027.
