Charlton Athletic 2
Stevenage 0
League (League One)

Match report written by Neil Metcalfe, The Comet

One week earlier, the early kick-off yielded four goals for Stevenage against Exeter City. This time they were stung by two as they fell to defeat at Charlton Athletic.

Former Boro favourite Matty Godden put the home side in front on 44 minutes with Luke Berry adding to the lead three minutes after half-time, the game eventually finishing 2-0.

Charlton grew in confidence after the first goal but in truth this was a poor performance from Boro who lacked any real spark through most of the team, with only a few escaping with any credit.

There was just the one change from the side that put Exeter City to the sword one week earlier, Charlie Goode replacing Dan Sweeney at centre-half.

In terms of the last outing against Birmingham City, there were six alterations.

The bench at The Valley also saw new boys Brandon Hanlan and Kyle Edwards feature for the first time.

Ryan Doherty and Jake Young missed out on a place in this week's match-day squad.

Both sides had been in good form going into this one but Boro were presented with a golden opportunity after just 19 seconds, Jamie Reid getting in behind the home defence.

He couldn't get the ball under control though and it ran behind. Moments later something similar happened but this time he had company in red shorts.

Charlton did have plenty of half chances in the early going but Dan Phillips and Goode among others were able to defend well and clear the danger.

Murphy Cooper was relatively untroubled for most of the half while opposite number Ashley Brewer did have to earn his corn when Louis Appere suddenly chased onto a Jordan Roberts pass.

He got there first but couldn't push the ball far enough past the keeper and he snaked out an arm to push it away.

An injury to the goalkeeper also proved crucial. He was OK to continue after one stretch of the leg by the physio but that was enough time to allow Nathan Jones to pass on some instructions to his team, who had been guilty of too many misplaced passes by that point.

It gave them some momentum in the final 10 minutes, Greg Docherty's low shot being held by Cooper but it still looked as if the sides would head into the break level.

That was until a minute before the break when Charlton were able to run through.

Conor Coventry got the ball to the left of goal and when he turned in a low cross, Godden was able to nip in at the near post and poke the ball in, despite the presence of two in purple shirts.

It was probably undeserved on the balance of play but Stevenage had been guilty of some very slack and lackadaisical play throughout the first 45.

But even with the presence of Hanlan and Edwards on the bench, manager Alex Revell kept things as they were directly after the break.

The boss would eventually make four changes at once on 56 minutes, but that was in direct response to Charlton going 2-0 up.

A shot by Tyreece Campbell flew past the diving Cooper but smashed off the crossbar.

Those in purple then just stood and watched as Berry popped the ball back into the empty net from almost 18 yards.

The switches for Boro included a debut for Hanlan and eventually Edwards on 74 minutes, but Charlton should have added to their lead by then.

Campbell hit a shot straight at Godden while Berry curled one wide. Other promising positions were squandered when they really should have produced something.

Stevenage's day was summed up when Kemp had a shot blocked just inside the penalty area, so instead he turned to feed Hanlan.

He put the ball behind the new man and that was that.