Dartford 2 Charlton 3
Micah Mbick scored a late winner as Charlton began pre-season preparations for their 2025/26 Championship campaign with a 3-2 win at Dartford.
Daniel Kanu and Greg Docherty also found the net as Nathan Jones utilised his squad ahead of his side’s trip to Slovenia tomorrow for their annual pre-season training camp.
Jones played 12 academy products across the 90 minutes, while new signings Reece Burke, Sonny Carey and Tanto Olaofe also got their first minutes in a Charlton shirt.
A number of senior players missed out, which Nathan Jones explained post-match was due to different players being further along in their pre-season training than others.
The Addicks took an early lead when Henry Rylah played a neat one-two with Kaheim Dixon to get in behind the Dartford defence. The wing-back’s cross was met by Kanu whose first shot was blocked but the ball rebounded to the Charlton striker who made no mistake from close range, smashing his shot into the roof of the net.
The home side looked to strike right back and Lloyd Jones made a big block to keep out namesake Callum Jones just minutes after Kanu’s opener.
Callum Jones did get his goal, a 10th-minute equaliser – a blocked shot bounced to the Dartford striker who squeezed his effort home. The Addicks felt they should have had a free kick in the build up for a push on Lloyd Jones.
Rylah then came close, again getting behind the Dartford defence, this time thanks to a wonderful Kayne Ramsay through ball, that was smartly left by Dixon to allow it to run into Rylah’s path. The wing back had time to take a touch but dragged his shot wide of goal.
The Addicks lead was restored in the 26th minute when skipper Docherty confidently converted from the penalty spot. The home side felt the penalty itself was harsh with a clearance striking the arm of George Whitefield.
Dartford stopper Jonny Henly did well to keep the Addicks out as Charlton piled on the pressure after their second. He saved well from Tyreece Campbell cutting inside from the left and then blocked from Kanu from close range.
The home side scored their second equaliser of the game nine minutes before half time. Macaulay Gillesphey was adjudged to have fouled Eddie Dsane in the penalty area after the Addicks didn’t deal with a long ball forward. With Ashley Maynard-Brewer diving left, Samir Carruthers sent a cheeky chipped spot kick down the middle of the goal.
After an action-packed first half, there were less chances in the second half as Charlton dominated the ball.
Alan Mwamba had a shot blocked while Ibrahim Fullah shot wide from long range and Zach Mitchell headed at Henly.
It looked like the game would end in a draw but with 10 minutes to go Nathan Jones brought on Mbick, who had played for the club’s U21s earlier in the day. Four minutes later the striker scored with his first touch, a goal that was similar in style to Charlton’s opener. Nathan Asiimwe played a one-two with Sonny Carey to get in behind the Dartford defence on the right. Mbick was first to Asiimwe’s ball across goal and poked home the winner.
Dartford: Henly (Olenga 82), Frampah, Williams, Olarewaju, Whitfield, Olapade, McLeod, Oduadu, Carruthers, Jones, Dsane
Dartford: (second half): Henly, Smith, Taylor, Box, Campbell, Trialist A, Pinder, Eze, Nayler, Trialist B, Trialist C
Subs (not used): Trialist D, Atkins, O’Mara-Knapp
Goals: Jones 10, Carruthers 36
Charlton (first half): Maynard-Brewer; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey; Rylah, Coventry, Docherty (c), Edwards; Dixon, Kanu, Campbell
Charlton (second half): Maynard-Brewer (Reid 60); Burke (c), A.Mitchell, Z.Mitchell; Asiimwe, Mwamba, Anderson, Enslin (Mbick 80); Fullah, Olaofe, Carey
Subs (not used): Gough, Laqeretabua
Goals: Kanu 5, Docherty 26 (pen), Mbick 84
Assist: Asiimwe 84
Referee: Luke Scott
Attendance: 3,584
