Charlton Athletic 2 - 3 Aberdeen

A bright day greeted the Dons as they took the field in south London for their final friendly of pre-season in the lunchtime kick-off at the Valley, kitted out in the ‘northern lights’ kit once more.

It didn’t take Aberdeen long to grab the lead, 1-0 up in three minute. Dante Polvara combined beautifully with Leighton Clarkson and clipped in an inviting cross from the right. Graeme Shinnie was poised to get on the end of it, only to see Asimwe hurling himself in front of him and depositing his header just inside the far post.

There was more good play from an aggressive Aberdeen on eight minutes, Bojan Miovski winning possession, Duk feeding Shayden Morris on the right, only for his cross to be well cut out.

More persistent work from Polvara, down the left this time, won him the ball and he was able to find Jonny Hayes on the overlap. He speared a cross into Miovski at the near post, but he couldn’t quite wrap his foot around the ball under pressure, his shot arcing over the bar.

The Addicks’ first chance came on the quarter hour, Kirk free at inside-left to receive a pass from Fraser but with Kelle Roos to beat, he was caught in two minds and only succeeded in chipping the ball into the side netting. Kirk and Fraser combined well again two minutes later, Jack Milne making an important intervention as Kirk fired at goal. It was growing into an entertaining end to end game now.

Maynard-Brewer had to make a fine save on 21 minutes, Miovski galloping onto a ball over the top and firing off a fierce effort, but the goalkeeper had been quick off his line and produced an excellent stop.

It was 2-0 on 22 minutes though, Duk far too strong for Ness as he collected Morris’ pass down the right, barrelling past him and crossing into the six-yard box where Shinnie had made a lung-busting run to get on the end of it, clipping his shot into the net.

On 28 minutes, a poor ball out from Hector was pounced on by Polvara 30 yards from goal. He found Miovski who was hauled to the ground, Hector then handling the cross as well. Penalty, Miovski to take. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way but the ball thumped against the base if the post, Dobson putting the rebound behind for a corner. From that, Polvara produced a fine glancing header at the near post, matched only by the quality of Maynard-Brewer’s acrobatic save to keep his side in the game. Hector also did very well to clear the rebound over the bar as Miovski looked set to pounce. The Dons were really turning the screw at this point.

Miovski got his goal on 33. Good pressing won the ball back deep in Charlton territory, allowing Shinnie to feed Morris on the right. He rolled the ball into the box, Miovski running free of his marker to slot in from ten yards out.

Charlton rallied on 39 minutes, Blackett-Taylor accelerating away down their left and crossing for May, whose fierce blast at goal was blocked away by Shinnie.

Miovski should have had another goal on 41 minutes, a quick break from the Dons exposing Charlton again. Duk was again too much to handle, this time for Hector, and he picked out Miovski, clean through on goal. From the edge of the box, he missed his kick slightly and stubbed it wide of the goalkeeper, but also wide of the far post.

HALF-TIME: CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 ABERDEEN 3

There was a more sedate opening to the second half, the Addicks enjoying better possession now, Aberdeen coping with it very comfortably. Miovski was then replaced by Ester Sokler on 56 minutes.

Camara had Charlton’s first second half shot in anger, getting underneath his effort from 20 yards and putting it over the bar just before the hour mark. In the aftermath, Milne needed the physios for a lengthy spell before having to make way for Anthony Stewart. Polvara, Hayes and Morris also headed off with Connor Barron, Or Dadia and Ryan Duncan coming on. Campbell, Anderson and Thomas were Charlton’s first subs for Jones, Kirk and Camara. Stewart was straight into the action, sliding in to block a dangerous looking May cross.

Charlton got a goal back on 70 minutes, Blackett-Taylor feeding Thomas on their left. He drove in a hard, low cross, Blackett-Taylor running in to tap home from four yards. Duk was then replaced by Alfie Bavidge.

Nicky Devlin had to look sharp to produce an important diving header from an Asimwe cross on 73 minutes, Aberdeen dealing with the resulting corner. The Dons’ tempo had dropped a bit after the break but they were still very much in charge of the game. Campbell looked to get on the scoresheet on 74 though, cutting in from the left and drilling a shot art goal, Roos going full length to push the ball to safety.

On 77, a good run down the left from Duncan collected a Barron pass. His cross ran through the box to Clarkson who met it powerfully, Maynard-Brewer making a spawling save. Sokler followed in, his effort from the rebound thumping against hector and bouncing to safety. Payne and McGrandles replaced Fraser and Dobson for Charlton immediately after.

Roos had to find another good save with nine minutes left, Payne galloping forward before passing to May in plenty of space at inside-right. His low shot across the face was pushed round the post by the Dutchman.

There was plenty of pushing and shoving on 82 minutes that would normally have brought a volley of cards from the referee, after Devlin was fouled and didn’t take too kindly to it – no action required in a friendly though. Kanu replaced May while all that was going on.

Bavidge had a golden chance on 85, passing it out to Clarkson and then running forward to meet the cross, his glancing header flying wide of goal. At the other end, good footwork from Blackett-Taylor got him into a shooting position, but under pressure from Stewart, he dragged his effort wide.

Charlton grabbed a second in the final minute, Payne sending Kanu on his way. His low shot eluded Roos and Devlin turned it into his own net as he stretched to clear.