Match Preview - Charlton v Rovers

Gas Hit the Road to London

16 December 2022

Rovers are back in Sky Bet League One action on Saturday, after Tuesday's comprehensive 4-1 win over MK Dons in the Papa John's Trophy. That victory handed us a home tie with either Plymouth or AFC Wimbledon in the Quarter-Finals.

Manager's Preview

Click below to hear what Rovers manager Joey Barton had to say ahead of the game with the Addicks.

Opposition View

Charlton Athletic are at their "lowest ebb in living memory" according to their own supporters' trust.

The Addicks, who sacked boss Ben Garner last week, sit 18th in League One - should they end the campaign in that position or lower, it would be their worst-ever league finish. Charlton are four points above the relegation zone and searching for a fifth manager in two years after the sacking of former Rovers boss Garner.

Antony Hayes is their caretaker manager and he was in the dugout as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two side Stockport County.

Hayes said:

“I think naturally when you don’t win games of football your confidence can be affected. What I have said though is that I don’t think we’re far off turning things around.

"As a collective - players, staff and fans - we’re all hurting because we all want to do better, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves and we can’t play with fear.

"Bristol Rovers are a competitive, honest, hardworking side. I’d expect nothing less from a Joey Barton side but I also think they have got a good mixture to their game. I think in Aaron Collins they have got one of the best players in the league. His numbers speak for themselves in terms of creating and scoring goals. He is someone we’ll have to be very mindful of.

"There are some vulnerabilities there. We’ve got a lot of threats in attacking positions and there will be spaces for us to exploit - it is just a case of maximising those moments on Saturday.”

Form Guide

Charlton currently sit in 18th place, only four points behind Rovers with a game in hand. However, whilst the Gas have picked up eight points from their last five games, Athletic have secured just two.

Their last league outing was a 1-0 reverse at home to Cheltenham, who leapfrogged them in the table as a result.

Charlton's top goalscorer this season is Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, with five strikes, while one-time Rovers' target Jayden Stockley weighing in with three.

Ref Watch

Sam Allison is the referee for Saturday afternoon's clash at The Valley. He has officiated eleven games in league and cup so far this term, dishing out 30 yellow cards and two red. Allison averages awarding just over 22 fouls per game and has previously officiated in Premier League 2, the competition that replaced the Under-21 Premier League from 2016/17.

How to Watch

Tomorrow's fixture is available to watch LIVE on iFollow!

To find out more about iFollow, please click HERE.

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Betting Preview

EFL sponsors Sky Bet have priced Rovers at 13/5 for the win, with a 0-0 draw at 11/1. Antony Evans can be backed to score first at 12/1 while Aaron Collins to score at any time has odds of 11/4.

*Odds correct at the time of writing. To bet with Sky Bet, please click HERE. Please bet responsibly.

Match Reports

Match Report - Charlton 1-2 Rovers

17 December 2022

A John Marquis double ensured all three points for Rovers at a bitterly-cold Valley.

Rovers made one change from Tuesday's 4-1 drubbing of MK Dons in the Papa John's Trophy, with Josh Coburn replacing the injured Jordan Rossiter. Aaron Collins maintained his 100% appearance record after an injury scare to join Coburn up top, with two-goal midweek hero John Marquis on the bench.

There was an early scare for Rovers after a Rak-Sakyi header forced Belshaw into a flying one-handed save in the third minute.

The Gas goalkeeper was called into action again three minutes later as he pushed Stockley's long-range effort behind for a corner and required treatment after colliding with the post. Thankfully, the number one was deemed fine to continue.

Charlton had begun the game brightly after relieving ex-Rovers manager Ben Garner of his duties the previous week, and Belshaw had to be alert again to save Rak-Sakyi's close-range drive. Even better was to come in the 20th minute as the stopper somehow kept out Stockley's point-blank header.

However, from the resulting corner, Inniss gave the hosts a deserved lead with a well-placed header.

Individual brilliance from Evans nearly drew the Gas level in the 25th minute, beating two men and curling a shot on target that Maynard-Brewer did well to push away.

The midfielder saw yellow two minutes later after a quick free-kick went wrong and he pulled the shirt of Fraser. From their free-kick, Charlton nearly went two-up, as Blackett-Taylor escaped down the right and his dangerous cross was intercepted by the overworked Belshaw.

Sinclair showed some nice wing play in the 40th minute, but his cross was too close to the home 'keeper as the Gas looked to find a way back into the game.

Evans then let fly from distance, with Maynard-Brewer rooted to his spot; unfortunately it was just too high. Collins was upended as the half drew to a close to give the Gas a free-kick in a promising area. Evans' delivery was headed behind for a corner.

The hosts cleared, only for Coutts to be fouled to hand Rovers another chance to deliver the ball into the area; Evans drilled his cross straight at Maynard-Brewer and a disappointing half was brought to an end by referee Allison.

Luca Hoole was drafted into the action for the second period, replacing James Connolly. Coutts was booked for a late tackle as the Gas looked to exert some authority onto proceedings. Marquis was next to enter the fray, replacing McCormick, prompting a change of shape for Rovers with Sinclair sitting just behind the strikers.

Out of nothing, Marquis robbed Fraser and curled a shot into the top corner to get Rovers back on parity.

Rovers almost made it two as Maynard-Brewer was forced into a sprawling save to deny Coburn. From the corner, Thomas headed narrowly over.

Collins then fired from distance but too close to the increasingly-busy Maynard-Brewer. Marquis was desperately unlucky not to score his second after 67 minutes as Coburn's cross bounced off him with the goal gaping.

At the other end, a Charlton free header from a corner flew inches wide as the game started to become stretched. Evans then blazed over the bar from distance after the ball was punched clear.

Marquis did make it 2-1 to the Gas in the 72nd minute, as Coburn let the ball run for the striker to slot calmly beyond a helpless Maynard-Brewer to ensure all three points for Rovers who sit in ninth place at Christmas. Three points off the play-off places.

Next up for Rovers is a Boxing Day clash with Wycombe at Adams Park.

Rovers: James Belshaw, James Connolly, Lewis Gordon, Scott Sinclair, Aaron Collins, Paul Coutts (c), Lewis Gibson, Antony Evans, Luke McCormick, Bobby Thomas, Josh Coburn.

Substitutes: Jaakkola, Kilgour, Marquis, Saunders, Whelan, Gibbons, Hoole.

Charlton: Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Sean Clare, Sam Lavelle, Ryan Inniss, Steven Sessegnon, George Dobson, Jack Payne, Scott Fraser, Corey Blackett-Taylor, Jayden Stockley (c), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Subs: Nathan Harness, Albie Morgan, Charlie Kirk, Chuks Aneke, Miles Leaburn, Richard Chin, Zach Mitchell.

Referee: Sam Allison.

Attendance: 12,340, incl 1,339 away

Ticket News

Ticket Information - Charlton Athletic

4 November 2022

Ticket information ahead of our trip to The Valley in December.

Rovers face Charlton Athletic on Saturday, 17th December (3pm).

The initial ticket allocation for this fixture is 1,000.

The club would like to remind fans that tickets ARE NOT available to purchase from the club shop on matchdays.

Online ticket sales will open to 2022/2023 Season Ticket holders, sponsors and Share Scheme members from 10am on Monday, 7th November. Please be aware, Season Ticket holders, sponsors and Share Scheme members are only permitted to purchase one ticket per membership.

Members (Club and Gold members, Helpline and Supporters Club members) will be able to purchase tickets online from 10am on Wednesday, 9th November. Please note, members are only able to purchase one ticket per membership.

Subject to availability, general sale tickets will then be available online from 10am on Friday, 11th November.

Ticket prices can be found below: