By Dale Hurman

Wycombe Wanderers reserves fell to Luke Varney's 66th minute penalty as Charlton Athletic won 1-0 at Adams Park.

The first half was an evenly contested affair, just two minutes in triallist Tyrone Berry showed his electric pace to race for a ball played into the corner.

With just eight minutes played the Blues went close through Reuben Reid. Charlton goalkeeper Robert Elliott mis-kicked his clearance straight to the on-loan striker, who quickly lobbed the ball back over the keeper who at first looked to be stranded but the glovesman pulled off an excellent save, tipping the ball away from the unguarded net.

With ten minutes gone Andre Boucaud hit a shot which just beat Elliott's crossbar.

James Reading then showed a safe pair of hands to stop Scott Wagstaff's low drive on 12 minutes. Boucaud was then booked for a foul on the visitors Danny Uchechi.

Reid showed some neat control half-way through the first half but pulled his shot wide of the near post. It was the striker who again threatened on the half-hour mark smashing a powerful shot from fully 30 yards which flew just wide of Elliott's left-hand post. 

The visitors began to threaten more as the game approached half-time. Izale McLeod robbed Lewis Christon on the edge of the box and ran in on goal only to be denied by James Reading who in Schmeichel-esque style spread himself well to prevent McLeod from finding the net.

Within sixty seconds the Addicks had the ball in the net, Matt Holland's tapped home by McLeod only for it to be chalked off for offside.

Duncan was then booked after a foul on Wagstaff. On the stroke of half-time McLeod followed after barging into Doherty.

Half-time: Wycombe Wanderers (0)0 Charlton Athletic (0)0

McLeod was replaced by Harry Arter at the interval. Five minutes into the second period the Blues made their first change, Chris Palmer replacing Derek Duncan.

The game developed into a midfield battle with chances at a premium at either end. A mistake always looked likely to settle the game and sadly for the Wanderers it came on 66 minutes.

Blues goalkeeper James Reading came racing off his line and was just a second too late, sliding in and bringing Athletic midfield Scott Wagstaff crashing down to earth. Referee Tomlinson pointed immediately to the spot and compounded the young goalkeepers misery with a yellow card.

Addicks striker Luke Varney stepped and blasted the ball past Reading to give the visitors the lead.

The home side failed to trouble Elliott in the Charlton goal after that. With ten minutes remaining Daniel Fitchett replaced Tommy Doherty and Alan Massey came on for Leon Crooks.

In the second of three minutes of injury-time, Matt Holland robbed Craig Woodman in the centre-circle and played in Varney whose powerful drive across goal was pushed round the post by Reading.

The visitors had never looked like reliquishing their lead and comfortably held on to the win.


Wycombe Wanderers line-up: James Reading, Robert Rice, Craig Woodman, Leon Crooks (Alan Massey 80 mins), Tom Cadmore, Lewis Christon, Andre Boucaud, Tommy Doherty (Daniel Fitchett 80 mins) Reuben Reid, Tyrone Berry, Derek Duncan (Chris Palmer 50 mins).

Booked: Boucaud 12 (foul), Duncan 42 (foul), Reading 66 (foul)

Charlton Athletic line-up: Robert Elliot, Sam Long, Chris Solly, Therry Racon, Paddy McCarthy, Aswad Thomas, Scott Wagstaff, Matt Holland, Izale McLeod (Harry Arter HT), Luke Varney, Danny Uchechi. Subs not used: Joe Woolley, Rashid Yussuff, Ruairi Harkin and Rhys Coleman.

Booked: McLeod 45 (foul) Goal: Varney 66 (pen)

Match Officials:
Referee: Mr S D Tomlinson.
Assistant Referees: Mr A Quelch and Mr DM Woolford.
Fourth Official: Mr K Bailey