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Riley sends sad Addicks crashing out

Charlton were humbled in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday as non-league Northwich Victoria recorded a famous 1-0 win and upset.

A goal from substitute Wayne Riley eight minutes from time earned the Blue Square North Vics a famous - and deserved - victory at the Victoria Stadium.

Just five minutes after entering the fray, the winger sprinted clear of the Addicks backline and shot through the legs of Darren Randolph and in.

It might have been worse for the Addicks, too, as Sam Sodje cleared an effort from Matthew Bailey off the line moments later.

Charlton scarcely threatened as the Vics largely controlled proceedings from start to finish, and the final whistle promoted wild scenes on the pitch as the hosts booked a home tie with Lincoln City.

The Addicks will have an unwelcome weekend off in three weeks after being the highest-profile club to exit the world's most famous domestic cup competition in the first round.

It's days like this which emphasise just what a magical competition the FA Cup really is.

On any day - any given Sunday if you like - David can slay Goliath, and on this occasion Charlton were left with a metaphorical custard pie splattered across their face.

This was no smash and grab raid, no fluke; it was a thoroughly deserved victory for a side that sit three leagues - and 87 places - lower in the football food chain.

This was a team that started its season in administration and was without its leading scorer and captain through suspension.

The absence of Mark Danks and Simon Grand was scarcely felt for the hosts, who had a secret weapon up their sleeves in the shape of a long throw from stand-in skipper Ian Herring.

The midfielder launched missile after missile into the Addicks box, more often or not with towering centre-back Bailey connecting.

The net result was chaos in the box as the ball fizzed around at all angles; set-pieces caused similar problems.

One fantastic save from Darren Randolph from Michael Connor, after the Irishman also flipped over a Bailey header, ensured parity at the break, with the visitors also surviving a goalmouth scramble of truly epic proportions moments later.

Charlton lacked cohesion and had no significant spells in the match to suggest they would make their superior quality tell.

Not allowed any time on the ball and starved of any real space where it really mattered, one got the feeling at half-time that perhaps Northwich's chance had passed. Not a jot.

The second half continued in the same vein, with the hosts hassling, harrying and getting in the faces of their illustrious visitors. All of the good football came from them.

Long throw after long throw boomed in from Herring - who Vics boss Andy Preece admitted afterwards had been strategically rested a week earlier when Charlton scouted their opponents - but Charlton, by hook or by crook, clung on.

As the minutes ticked down and the visitors staved off the aerial bombardment from the Vics, substitute Deon Burton had the ball swiped off his toes by Herring, but it was another replacement, Riley, who took centre stage on 82 minutes.

Part-time footballer, part-time barman, the teenager latched on to a header over the top from Connor, and as the Addicks hesitated, Riley supplied the perfect finish past Randolph.

Charlton had never before lost a senior game to non-League opposition since joining The Football League, but they almost went 2-0 down soon afterwards as the excellent Bailey saw his header cleared off the line.

The visitors pushed on in search of a leveller, but Nicky Bailey's late free-kick into the wall five minutes into stoppage time marked their last chance.

It's Northwich then who can dream of further swelling their coffers with some much needed income, but before that there's the small nature of a Cheshire FA Senior Cup home tie with Cheadle Town back here on Tuesday.

For the Addicks, it's Southampton in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy before Milton Keynes Dons visit The Valley in League One on Saturday.

Charlton entered the FA Cup at the first-round stage for the first time since 1980 - and Parkinson pitched a string side into battle .

The Valley boss made just two changes from last weekend's League One defeat at Carlisle with keeper Randolph between the posts for the first time since January.

With Rob Elliot injured and Carl Ikeme ineligible, the Irishman took custody of the gloves and it was a big afternoon for Jack Binks as the second-year scholar provided the goalkeeping back-up on the bench.

The only other change from the Brunton Park defeat was the return to the fold of teenage midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. He came in for Burton and operated just behind Izale McLeod.

The television cameras were at the Victoria Stadium for the David versus Goliath clash against the Blue Square North Vics.

Parkinson and co were keen to make sure there was no upset in Cheshire and were hoping to continue a record of never losing a senior match to a non-league side.

With that in mind it was a strong side that represented the pride of South East London.

Randolph, who played two FA Cup matches for the Addicks against Norwich City earlier this year, was between the posts, and the backline remained the same as that at Brunton Park.

Elliot Omozusi continued at right-back with Christian Dailly and Sodje central, and Kelly Youga on the left.

Shelvey's inclusion meant Parkinson fielded his favoured 4-4-1-1 formation with Shelvey operating in the hole behind McLeod.

Lloyd Sam recovered from flu to edge out former Vics man Scott Wagstaff for the right-wing spot. Skipper Bailey started on the opposite flank with Therry Racon and Jose Semedo in central midfield.

Binks who caught the eye during Charlton U18s' FA Youth Cup win against Gillingham at The Valley in midweek, took his place in reserve.

Wagstaff, who played five games for the Vics in month-long loan stint at the end of last year, was also on the bench. He was joined by Grant Basey, Miguel Llera, Matt Spring, Burton. Leon McKenzie, back from injury, was back on the bench.

A tough ask for the hosts was made much tougher with the news that they were without their leading scorer Danks and skipper Grand.

Both were suspended - and to rub things in further Danks picked up the Blue Square North Player of the Month award ahead of kick-off - so Preece was looking to stalwart centre-forward Johnny Allen and wingers John Newby and Lee Elam to supply the attacking thrust.

Former Manchester City youngster Connor was also a player to look out for. The hosts made a bright start and fashioned the game's first chance with six minutes on the clock.

Elam's persistence won a throw on the left and skipper Herring's missile was glanced on in the middle by the towering Matthew Bailey before being cleared away on the far side.

Dailly got across well to clear ahead of Elam after some hesitancy from Randolph, but the keeper clutched another header from Matthew Bailey after another long throw from Herrin four minutes later.

Nat Kerr skewed an effort well wide of the left post after his big central-defensive colleague nodded a cross into his path.

After Sam skipped away from Ryan Brown, the winger's low cross was cut out in the middle, and Charlton were struggling to make significant inroads in the early stages.

Preece would have been delighted at his side's start to the game, but Charlton pieced together their first serious raid on 22 minutes.

Bailey, having been clobbered late off the ball by Connor, eventually got up, and when a ball span loose to him 25 yards out he sent a powerful drive high over the bar.

But the hosts went far closer in the 26th minute, forcing the first serious save of the afternoon.

It was a great save too, as the Irishman flipped up an arm to expertly tip over a powerful goalbound header from that man Matthew Bailey again as he connected with an Elam corner.

Two minutes later the Addicks survived the most almighty of goalmouth scrambles.

Herring's long throws were clearly causing problems and his latest missile from the right side caused absolute chaos in the Charlton box.

As the ball bounced around pin-ball style, a clutch of green and white hoped shirted players were denied by some resolute defending as the ball bounced crazily around the box.

The clearest shooting chance fell to Elam on the left side of the box and his wayward shot caused even more carnage as the ball pinged back and forth.

Omozusi and then Dailly cleared on the line, and eventually Nicky Bailey managed to usher the ball back to Randolph, and the keeper gratefully plunged on it before two or three desperate teammates ended up burying him on the ground.

It was an almighty scramble, and a mighty relief for the visiting contingent but Sodje almost offered even more reason to be cheerful on 32 minutes, connecting with a Shelvey corner with a goalbound header that was saved by Curtis Aspden. Nobody would have known - nor expected - it at the time but that would be the home keeper's most serious moment of the afternoon.

The defender then did brilliantly in the other penalty box, sliding across to nick the ball off the toes of Newby as the winger shaped to shoot.

Another good set-piece caused more problems for the Addicks, and both skippers were summoned by the referee after a collision between Shelvey and Nat Kerr left the Northwich man without a shirt.

But when business resumed up at the other end Charlton were grateful to Randolph again two minutes before the break.

Bailey, an irrepressible presence in the box at every single set-piece it would seem, flicked on yet another Herring throw and Connor must have thought he had scored when he connected with his header from close in.

But he reckoned without the Irishman, who thrust out his right arm to make a brilliant save.

That was the last action of the half with the visitors, clearly second best in the opening period, glad for 15 minutes to regroup.

Youga got away in the early stages of the second period, but having got into a good crossing position his poor ball was grabbed by the grateful Aspden.

But largely normal service was resumed as they hosts' 'up and at them' approach continued, and saw them force a couple of early long throws.

Sodje had a cut lip patched up on the touchline, but one brilliant defensive header at yet another Herring throw saw him temporarily injure his teammate Omozusi.

Charlton cold not piece together any play of note as the hosts continually asked questions of them, continually winning throws in Herring territory.

After Randolph fisted away another flicked-on throw, Parkinson sent on McKenzie and Burton for McLeod and Shelvey midway through the half and immediately they created an opening.

After good work on the left Bailey's cross flashed across the box and Burton licked his lips in the middle only to be denied by a brilliant challenge from Herring.

Semedo was booked after catching Elam and Burton bravely did his defensive duties at another long throw as the Northwich bombardment continued.

Having said that, Charlton's movement was far better after the introduction of Deon and Leon and the latter forced a half chance nine minutes from time, setting up Racon whose deflected shot was scrambled away by Northwich's Bailey.

There were hearts in mouths when Aspden spilled a cross, but then grabbed it at the second attempt.

But there was delight all round the ground on 82 minutes as the hosts got the goal their efforts deserved.

Riley was the man on target, being sent clean through down the middle and the winger, having replaced Elam just five minutes earlier, kept his composure to slide a shot through the legs of Randolph and in.

Preece hurtled off down the touchline in delight and there was almost a second goal for the hosts five minutes from time as Matthew Bailey's header after a set-piece was cleared off the line by Sodje.

Wagstaff replaced Semedo for the closing stages, and Riley's cross flashed across goal and side after the ball was presented to him by Sodje.

There was a late opportunity for the visitors as a foul by Kerr on Sam gave Charlton a free-kick three yards outside the box.

Skipper Bailey stepped up but the wall did its job and the danger passed.

And despite pinning their hosts in in the closing stages of the game, time was against the Addicks as they crashed out.

Charlton: Randolph; Omozusi, Youga, Dailly, Sodje; Sam, Semedo (Wagstaff 85), Racon, Shelvey (Burton 68), Bailey; McLeod (McKenzie 68).

Subs (not used): Binks, Basey, Llera, Spring.

Booked: Semedo 69 (foul on Elam)

Northwich: Aspden; Aspin, Brown, M Bailey, Kerr; Elam (Riley 77), Herring, D'Laryea, Connor, Newby (Edwards 90); Allen (Winter 87).

Subs (not used): Spencer, Vaughan, Edwards, Cadwallader, Richards.

Goals: Riley 82

Booked: Bookings: Connor 34 (foul on Youga), Allen 85 (foul on Randolph), Riley 90 (kicking ball away).

Referee: D Webb

Att: 2,153

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