By Paul Green at The Valley
ADDICKS boss Nathan Jones singled out striker Matty Godden for praise after his winner against Northampton on Good Friday sealed a League play-off spot.
More than 20,000 fans packed The Valley and the majority were soon on their feet celebrating Luke Berry’s ninth-minute volley.
Northampton were level just six minutes later after Tom McIntyre handled in the box and Dara Costelloe converted the resulting penalty in front of the Covered End.
Jones introduced Chuks Aneke for McIntyre early in the second half and the tactical switch led to a more attacking emphasis from the hosts.
Godden came agonisingly close to scoring midway through the half when he was only denied by the woodwork.
But there was no denying the summer signing from Coventry four minutes later when struck the winner after being set up by Aneke. It was Godden’s eighteenth goal in all competitions this season.
Jones said: “We tried to play, we tried to think, tried to get more into them.
“Every time we showed any quality then we had opportunities and it could have been more. Godden had a great opportunity before he scored.
“We’ve had to bring on big Chuks and he shows what a threat he is.
“Look, we’ve had to win it a different way and I’m just really, really proud because all that matters now is just that.”
The Valley chief added: “I knew he [Godden] could do it, there was a lot of people who didn’t.
“A lot of people have criticised us. A lot of people have said he is this, he is that but you won’t find a better striker in League One.
“You will not find a better striker in League One. He is Championship quality, he has scored everywhere he has been.
“I’d love to see those comments from back in June and July last year but I’m proud of him. I’m proud of Luke Berry. I’m proud of the players, every single one of them because of what we’ve had to come through.”
Charlton are now guaranteed a top-six finish and still have an outside chance of automatic promotion if they beat Wycombe Wanderers on Easter Monday and Wrexham next weekend.
Whether that happens or not, Jones is still delighted with the transformation on the pitch in SE7 since his appointment fourteen months ago.
He explained: “As I’ve said all along, I’m really proud of everyone involved in the football club. We’ve had to go through some tough times – it has been tough.
“We’ve had come from where we came from eighteenth in League One, not won in eighteen games to where we are now.
“The work that has gone on in that year has been considerable. The recruitment, the work, the strength that we’ve had to show and I’m really proud of everyone.
Jones added: “We’ve stuck together, we’ve believed in what we’ve done.
“We’ve worked religiously, we do good work.
“Personally, I’ve had to come through a lot in terms of criticism, the team have [also] and just to see how we are today to see a club united – I’m really, really proud.”
