JONES HAILS ADDICKS AS TY WINS IT…

By Matt Ramsay

CAMBRIDGE UTD 0

CHARLTON ATH 1

Campbell 14

TYREECE Campbell’s first-half strike secured a vital win for Charlton with boss Nathan Jones saluting his side’s efforts at the Abbey Stadium.

The Addicks’ victory and Wrexham’s earlier draw lifts Jones’ side to within six points of second, leaving them an outside chance of an automatic promotion spot.

Conversely, Cambridge sit seven points from safety and their relegation could be confirmed as soon as Good Friday if results go against them.

“This is a really, really tough place to come,” Jones said.

“Firstly, they’re fighting for their lives. Secondly, they’re a Neil Harris side who will be front-footed and very difficult to beat.

“The conditions were difficult for a good game. The pitch was dry and bobbly, it’s a slope, there’s wind, everything that can go against a spectacle is here.

“We’ve had to do all the basics well. Apart from a scramble at the end I felt we were comfortable, but we had to defend well.

“I’ve said this is our most difficult game in our run-in. The attitude and application you have to show for 97, 98 minutes when you come here is probably more than in other games.

RISING HIGH: Cambridge goalkeeper Jack Stevens punches the ball clear

“The others take care of themselves. Two games at The Valley, conditions won’t come his own goal. into that because of the stadium and the pitch.

“Then we have games against two sides above us so motivation will be there. This is the game you have to get yourself up for.”

Campbell struck with the first attack of the match after 14 minutes when he was allowed time on the left to cut inside and fire low beyond Jack Stevens.

History almost repeated itself 12 minutes later when Campell shot from a similar position but this time he was denied by a good Stevens save.

Moments later Campbell touched the ball on to Matty Godden, whose shot came back off the far post with Stevens beaten.

Cambridge were almost handed an equaliser just before half-time when Josh Edwards headed James Brophy’s cross narrowly wide of

After a low-quality second half, Cambridge could have snatched a point four minutes from the end when Dom Ballard carried the ball ward before shooting just for-

wide from the edge of the box.

In added time, Tom McIntyre blocked from Kell Watts before Ballard fired the rebound over to deny Cambridge a point at the death.

Harris expressed his frustration that Cambridge had not been able to turn promising positions into chances.

“It’s levels sometimes in football,” he said. “Players are at a level for a reason. Charlton are where they are for a reason and we’ll end up where we end up for a reason.

“Today sums it up. Between both boxes we were the better team. We had a good identity, we played well, we got from box to box quite easily and smoothly, and showed some real quality.

“But then when we got around the box it just becomes about levels. Football matches, 99 times out of 100, are won in both boxes and today they had one moment of quality in our box. It’s a really good strike and it ends up in the back of our net.”

CAMBRIDGE: Stevens 8, Bennett 6, Gibbons 6 (Andrew 73, 6), Morrison 7, Watts 6, Malone 6 (Kachunga 64, 6), Stokes 6, Stevenson 6, Brophy 6 (Njoku 88), Loft 6 (KaiKai 73, 6), Ballard 6. Subs not used: Briggs, Hoddle, Longelo.

CHARLTON: Mannion 6, Ramsay 7, McIntyre 8, Gillesphey 8, Edwards 7, Coventry 67, Docherty 7, Small 6 (Watson 74, 6), Berry 6 (Anderson 58, 6), Campbell 7 (Aneke 58, 6), Godden 7 (Mbick 88). Subs not used: Bouzanis, Gilbert, Ahadme.

ALL-SMILES: Tyreece Campbell, right, celebrates his early winner for the Addicks

PICTURES: MI News & Sport