With a crowd of just over 15,000 in attendance for their return to The Valley, Charlton Athletic set out this afternoon with one simple aim, to continue their impressive start to the League One season.
A starting eleven, unchanged from the previous three victories, took to the field and began the game confidently, controlling the game to an extent that Walsall's first look in didn't occur until 15 minutes in, Peter Till managing to get a weak shot on target that was never troubling Charlton number one Rob Elliott.
The game continued at a slow place throughout the first half, with Charlton comfortably in control, especially down the right flank with Lloyd Sam and Frazer Richardson linking up brilliantly throughout the half. Except for about 10 minutes just before the opening goal when the Addicks seemed to panic; however, even with Walsall in control, the Addicks never looked like conceding.
Indeed the only real excitement of the first half came on the 30 minute mark, Christian Dailly swung in a free kick to the area, only for lax defending leading to Lloyd Sam and Miguel Llera bundling each other and the ball over the line. The last touch and the goal were credited to Miguel Llera, with his second goal of the season.
Half time: 1 - 0
The second half began and played much like the first half, even with Walsall increasing the pressure on Charlton, they never really looked like troubling the new League One leaders, the main concern for the Addicks came with the departure of Lloyd Sam on 68 minutes, the wing wizard has been in excellent form so far this season, however questions have been raised as to whether his substitution was tactical or whether the hip injury he developed against Wycombe had flared up again.
Scott Wagstaff was his replacement and the pace of Charlton's game was immediately increased.
It was in fact only four minutes after Wagstaff had entered the fray that Charlton scored again, a great counter attack move begun by Kelly Youga found Deon Burton with his back to goal just inside the Walsall half, he looked up and left to see the young replacement Wagstaff storming into a gaping space on the right hand side of the pitch, Burton released a beautifully weighted through ball for the winger to pounce onto, Scott Wagstaff calmly took the ball in his stride at great pace, moved into the right hand side of the box, looked up and saw his options, a square ball to an unmarked Jonjo Shelvey, who had raced to join him in the area, or a drilled finish across the goal into the far corner, Wagstaff went for the latter option and was rewarded with his first professional goal for the Addicks as the score was made 2 - 0.
The teams played the final 18 minutes with little excitement, Wagstaff continuing to be the only player likely to make anything happen for either side.
As the full time whistle sounded, a cheer went up from The Valley faithful, a maximum 12 points gained in the opening four games, and Charlton continuing to appear the much stronger side against their oppositions.
The Addicks go top of League One with their heads held high, knowing that they travel to Tranmere Rovers next Saturday as the team to beat in League One, lets hope Phil Parkinson and his side can continue the form that they are currently showing for as long as possible.
Come on you Addicks!