Charlton’s pre-season continued with a 1-0 victory over Gillingham at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday afternoon, thanks to Reece Burke’s second-half header.
A quiet first half saw the hosts come close to, what would have been, a fortunate opener when Robbie McKenzie’s effort from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection, nearly catching out Thomas Kaminski who recovered well to make the save.
Charlton were forced into an early sub when Charlie Kelman took a knock on 27 minutes, replaced by Daniel Kanu, and as the half wore on it was the away side who were looking more likely with Ibrahim Fullah proving to be a particular thorn in the side of the Gills.
The youngster showed good feet just outside the box before cutting to his right and curling an effort towards the bottom corner, producing a good save from home stopper Taite Holtam.
Fullah was at it again moments later when he threatened from the right - this time his cross/shot was palmed away by Holtam.
Come the break, and Nathan Jones made two further subs with Kaminski and Fullah making way for Tiernan Brooks and Trialist. Harvey Knibbs threatened with a shot well blocked in the box, while Joe Rankin-Costello saw an effort fly over from distance.
The hour-mark saw outfield wholesale changes for the Addicks, while the hosts followed suit and it would not be long before Jones’ men took the lead via a set-piece.
Sonny Carey’s corner was met by the leap of Burke at the far post and the defender was able to force his header inside the post.
Moments later, Tyreece Campbell’s dangerous cross nearly ended up in the net via the heel of Harry Webster but, luckily for the Gillingham defender, it spun inches wide of the right-hand upright.
Charlton continued to threaten late on with Greg Docherty latching on to Carey’s free-kick and firing just wide, while Campbell fired over in the dying stages as the Addicks banked another worthwhile run out in north Kent.
Jones’ men will continue their pre-season preparations with a trip to take on Johnnie Jackson’s AFC Wimbledon next Saturday.
Gillingham: Holtam (MacLorg 60), Gale (Booth 60), Smith (Theodore 60), Gordon (Webster 60), Beckles (Dobbs 60), Harris (Khumbeni 60), Albans (Waldock 60), McKenzie (Dayal 60), Freeman (Beszant 60), Brophy (Whitelock 60), Palmer-Houlden (Luxton 60).
Sub (not used): Cross
Charlton: Kaminski (Brooks 46); Ramsay (Asiimwe 60), Jones (c) (Burke 60), Koumetio (Gough 60), Mesík (Bell 60); Coventry (Docherty 60), Rankin-Costello (Mwamba 60); Fullah (Trialist 46 (Enslin 84)), Knibbs (Carey 60), Olaofe (Campbell 60); Kelman (Kanu 27).
Sub (not used): Leaburn
Goal: Burke 65
Referee: Harry Wager
Att: 2,747 (935 from Charlton)
