In a match for the main part controlled by the Swans, it looked to be a day where goals would be at a premium with several chances spawned by both side’s. That would all change as the last 15 minutes would come into life in SA1 with all four goals in the match coming in a grandstand finish.
The deadlock would finally be broken with Idah opening the scoring with a fine finish from the edge of the area after being set up by Josh Key.
Charlton hit back immediately equalising against the run of play with forward Miles Leaburn heading in from a corner.
The Swans though would only be behind for three minutes as Idah smashed in his second from fellow replacement Thomas Woodward’s cross, before Leo Walta rounded off a more than satisfying performance with a stunning long-range free kick.
Victory sees Swansea finish the season in 11th position, whilst Charlton remain in 19th.
Looking to carry on their fine end-of-season form with just one defeat in their last six matches, the Swans came into the match full of confidence, looking to sign off on a high note with victory.
Head coach Vitor Matos had called for a strong end to the season to keep the momentum going in what has been an impressive first six months at the club despite the clubs play-off dream ending a month ago.
The Portuguese made four changes to the side that earned a credible point in the 1-1 draw with in-form Norwich City last weekend.
Number two stopper Andy Fisher would get a rare start in goals, whilstKey, after making his return from injury last weekend would start at full back. Wales forward Liam Cullen and industrious midfielder Melker Widell would also come back into the X1 having been rotated for the trip to East Anglia.
It would also be a big day for academy youngsters Woodward and Dan Watts who would be named on the bench, both potentially primed for their first team debuts.
In what on paper, what would be a classic end-of-season dead rubber fixture, Swansea faced off against a struggling Charlton side, buoyed by victory over play-off hopefuls Hull City last weekend, which maintained their Championship status for another season.
The Addicks would recall former QPR forward Lydon Dykes and would also freshen things up with four alterations. Luke Chambers and Conor Coventry both returning to a midfield five captained by veteran Championship campaigner Conor Cody.
It would be the home side with the stronger opening enjoying the lions share of possession and thought they had taken the lead in the fifteenth minute. Josh Tymon racing onto a through ball before slotting comfortably past Thomas Kaminski in the Charlton goal. The Swansea left back though denied by the linesman’s flag for offside.
Kaminski would be pulled into action minutes later with the Swans finding spaces in the final third. Key this time racing on the right hand-side before laying off for the Championship’s top scorer Zan Vipotnik. The Slovenian international’s low strike, however, would be pushed around the post by a fine fingertip save by the Belgian.
The half, though would be disjoined after several stoppages for various knocks an would remain goalless at the break.Substitute Walta coming the closest driving wildly over the crossbar after neat work from Tymon on the left.
The Swans would start the second half with renewed purpose and would immediately test Kaminski. First Walta striking a long range effort at the Charlton keeper that would be beaten away, before in the same phase of play Goncarlo Franco would smash a fizzing low effort which the Belgian would do well to scramble low down to push to saftey.
The assault continued with Swansea wondering how they were not ahead, first defender Cameron Burgess rising highest to head straight into the goalkeepers arms when well-placed from a curling Walta cross, whilst Cullen would also be wasteful heading wide.
The visitors would grow into the second half and fashion a chance of their own just before the our mark. Forward Leaburn heading wide from Luke Chambers’ corner after a corner had been recycled.
But the side with the third lowest goalscoring output in the division would lack a cutting edge to their play. Substitute Sonny Carey summing up manager Nathan Jones’ frustrations, ballooning a prime opportunity over the bar from a free kick scenario.
The Swans would improve with impetus from Idah off the substitutes bench with the former Celtic forward going close from Key’s though ball.
There would be no mistake a second time however, from the Swansea number 33. The same combination working together once more with Idah drilling low and hard through several bodies from just inside the penalty area to give his side the lead.
The Addicks, however, would not be behind for long. Against the run play Chambers forcing a corner with a snap shot after a quick break. Leaburn would then punish a rare moment of miscommunication in the Swans defense to leap unmarked from the resulting Carey delivery to level the scoreline.
It would only be a short reprieve for Charlton as the Swans would regain the lead minutes later. A swift counter attack seeing Woodward fresh off the bench use his pace to find space on the left before crossing perfectly to Idah to smash home his second from the penalty spot.
In a remarkable ten minutes the Swans would then put the game to bed with a third goal. Walta scoring an outrageous free kick from 30 yards to the delight of the home crowd.
Hungry for more Idah’s spectacular bicycle-kick almost gave the Republic of Ireland striker a hattrick as stoppage-time began, but the scores would remain the same as the Swans would close out the season with a well deserved victory.
Swansea City X1:
Andy Fisher, Josh Key (Joel Ward 74), Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Marko Stamenic (Jay Fulton 45), Goncalo Franco, Liam Cullen (Adam Idah 65), Ronald, Melker Widell (Leo Walta 35), Zan Vipotnik (Thomas Woodward 77).
Charlton Athletic X1
Thomas Kaminski, Harry Clarke, Conor Coventry, Lloyd Jones, Macauley Gillesphey, Jayden Fevrier (Joe Rankin-Costello 61), Harvey Knibbs (Luke Berry 75), Connor Coady (captain) (Sonny Carey 61), Reece Burke, Luke Chambers, Lyndon Dykes (Charlie Kellman 78).
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
