Charlton Athletic booked their Championship return as Macaulay Gillesphey scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient in the League One playoff final at Wembley on Sunday.
Charlton Athletic superbly executed their game plan in the opening 45 minutes, conceding possession to Leyton Orient but maintaining a solid defensive shape - a quality reflected in their record of just 43 goals shipped in League One this season, a feat bettered by just four teams - while breaking forward effectively, eventually earning their reward when Gillesphey struck from a fabulous free-kick, giving the Addicks the advantage at the break.
Leyton Orient launched a relentless second-half onslaught as they sought to fight their way back into the match, coming as close as striking the crossbar through Charlie Kelman, but Charlton Athletic's steadfast defensive prowess preserved their 1-0 lead and secured their return to the Championship.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Nathan Jones adds his name to a long line of historic Charlton managers, ending the Addicks' five-year absence from the second tier of English football.
It was far from the most attractive style of football that saw Charlton Athletic secure the 1-0 victory, but Jones, the players and fans will simply not care as they look ahead to a first Championship campaign since 2019-20.
The triumph extends Charlton's winning record at Wembley Stadium, as the Addicks have now won each of their last four major finals at the home of English football.
Leyton Orient, meanwhile, lacked real creativity and failed to consistently threaten Charlton Athletic's defensive line, falling short in delivering quality in the final moments and ultimately losing the clash.
The aftermath of their last League One playoff final defeat (4-3 on penalties to Rotherham in 2013-14) saw the O's suffer two relegations in three seasons as they fell all the way to the National League.
While that should not happen this time around, with a hopefully bright future under their new owners, the Addicks will have to rebuild and go again next season.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC VS. LEYTON ORIENT HIGHLIGHTS
Macaulay Gillesphey goal vs. Leyton Orient (31st min, Charlton Athletic 1-0 Leyton Orient)
Macaulay Gillesphey has just curled in a BEAUTIFUL free kick to give Charlton the lead at Wembley 💥👏 pic.twitter.com/Kcp5HDKk5r
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 25, 2025
Charlton Athletic draw first blood in the final!
Charlton win a free-kick just outside Leyton Orient's penalty area, and the left-footed Gillesphey steps up, ready to take aim at goal.
Gillesphey curls a low strike around the wall and finds the bottom right corner!
Josh Keeley will feel he should have done better with that one.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MACAULEY GILLESPHEY
© Imago
Gillesphey - the difference maker and Charlton Athletic's hero.
The central defender whipped a wonderous free-kick into the bottom left corner to break the deadlock, and his strike ended up being the winner as Charlton march into the Championship.
Gillesphey was also a key part of their formidable defensive display, making 10 clearances, one interception, three recoveries and winning eight duels as Charlton held on to their clean sheet.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC VS. LEYTON ORIENT MATCH STATS
Possession: Charlton Athletic 38%-62% Leyton Orient
Shots: Charlton Athletic 5-16 Leyton Orient
Shots on target: Charlton Athletic 3-1 Leyton Orient
Corners: Charlton Athletic 2-6 Leyton Orient
Fouls: Charlton Athletic 11-9 Leyton Orient
WHAT NEXT?
For Charlton Athletic, celebrations will be continuing long into the night and early tomorrow morning as the Addicks end their five-year absence from the Championship.
Meanwhile, for Leyton Orient, preparations will begin for another gruelling League One campaign, where the O's will continue their search for a long-awaited return to England's second division.
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Ellis Stevens
