The Charlton Champion

Nobody who was there will forget the crazy conclusion to the Addicks’ hard-fought draw with the Tractor Boys. KEVIN NOLAN stayed until the end to bring you this report.

The announcement of six added minutes at the end of an entertaining but hardly barnstorming game gave little warning of the Keystone Kops conclusion that lay in store for all concerned.

Having surrendered a two-goal lead, Ipswich were understandably disappointed with the 2-2 scoreline; Charlton on the other hand, had salvaged a valuable point and could be satisfied with their afternoon’s work. First half injuries had robbed them of key defenders Mandela Egbo and Eoghan O’Connell but they had battled back gamely through adversity to achieve an uphill result. Or so it seemed.

What played out during those barmy six minutes (which actually stretched to almost ten) defied description. But since it’s my duty to have a go, I’ll make a game effort to find sense in the chaos which briefly descended on The Valley. So buckle up and make the necessary allowances for a less than objective version of events.

Reasserting the overall superiority they had enjoyed throughout normal time, the Tractor Boys appeared to have restored order when substitute Feddie Ladapo turned sharply to beat Joe Wollacott with a shot whiplashed inside the keeper’s right hand post.

A minute later, a more speculative drive from skipper Sam Morsy caught a faint deflection before settling decisively in the bottom right corner. As the jubilant visitors celebrated wildly in front of their fans, an unseemly exodus of home fans began to pour through the various exits. You couldn’t blame them but they should have known better.

More in hope than expectation, the stricken Addicks fought back. A free kick conceded by an oddly panicky Luke Wolfenden was flighted to the far post by Scott Fraser, returned along the ground by Corey Blackett-Taylor and stabbed past Christian Walton by full league debutant Terell Thomas.

The statutory six added minutes soon expired but the cocky East Anglians were made to pay for their self-indulgent goal celebrations. Referee Josh Smith didn’t get much right but deserves credit for knowing how to tell the time.

An early replacement for the wretchedly unlucky Mandela Egbo, Albie Morgan had provided sketchy support for beleaguered Sean Clare but going forward proved a force to be reckoned with. In almost the last act of this wacky race, the Marmite midfielder flighted a delicious cross from the left flanks, which was clearly intended for a flash of red lurking behind left back Leif Davis at the far post.

With caution thrown to the wind, the red shirt spotted by Morgan was worn by none other than George Dobson, widely admired for the yeoman shifts he puts in for the cause but, frankly, not the Addick many fans would choose to represent them in a death-or-glory situation such as this one. In 58 previous starts, George’s solitary goal was admittedly a superb matchwinner at Rotherham last season.

But as it turned out, Charlton’s fate was safe in his hands. Or head, to be more precise.

Rising majestically over Davis, Dobson had the presence of mind to assess Walton’s rash advance off his line and looped a deliberate header over the desperately scrambling keeper, which took its time before dropping neatly into his vacated net. Town’s hysterical celebrations were seen and raised by the human pyramid which took shape in front of the Covered End.

“Table’s turned and now it’s your turn to cry,” fitted the musical bill. My favourite Rolling Stones song, as it happens.

The added-time explosion had been preceded by a relatively normal but eventful encounter, dominated for most of its duration by Ipswich.

As Charlton struggled to cope without O’Connell and Egbo, it became vital that they survive an embattled first half without conceding. That ambition was thwarted in the last minute when George Edmundson bulleted Davis’ inswinging corner off Woollacott’s hand and under the bar.

Battling on gamely but apparently hopelessly, the Addicks looked down and out when, on 52 minutes, Tyreece John-Jules doubled their deficit by heading Wes Burns’ cross forcefully past Wollacott. But that was to reckon without the impact provided by perennial substitute Chuks Aneke and speed merchant Blackett-Taylor. Ben Garner’s objections earned him expulsion; he missed a treat.

Aneke was his usual irrepressible self, all but impossible to subdue and too strong for a tiring defence. Just past the hour mark, his powerful run down the right flank was capped by an enterprising cross, which Blackett-Taylor hammered against Walton’s hands.

Closing in alertly, Jesurun Rak- Sakyi forced in the rebound and, abruptly, Town’s comfortable afternoon was fraught with concern.

Blackett-Taylor had the bit between his teeth now and his crisp daisycutter was kept out with difficulty by the suddenly overworked Walton, whose luck ran out as Morgan hurriedly jabbed the loose ball past him. As rare a scorer as Dobson, Albie managed a decent celebration.

As did an ecstatic Valley, which was briefly able to forget that this brave result would have meant more if Charlton had done the business against Milton Keynes in midweek.

But that’s the way it is – there’s always a dark cloud inside every silver lining.

Charlton: Wollacott, Clare, Thomas, O’Connell (Lavelle 43), Egbo (Morgan 14), Rak-Sakyi, Fraser, Kirk (Blackett-Taylor 63), Dobson, Sessegnon, Stockley (Aneke 62). Not used: McGillivray, McGrandles, Payne. Booked: Dobson, Clare, O’Connell, Stockley, Garner-sent off.

Ipswich: Walton, Davis, Edmundson, Morsy, Wolfenden, Burns (Keogh 90), Chaplin (Harness 71), Ball, John-Jules (Ladapo 71), Jackson (Edwards 71), Donacien. Not used: Hladky, Vincent-Young, Humphreys. Booked: Ball, Burns, Morsy, Walton.

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The wheels fell off Charlton’s mini-revival last night with defeat at The Valley. KEVIN NOLAN was there to see it.

Charlton’s three-game winning streak, which had featured two buccaneering victories at The Valley, came to a shuddering halt on Tuesday evening, destroyed by a savvy Milton Keynes side which included in their ranks a contingent of Dad’s Army recruits.

Each of the old ‘uns made a significant contribution to a result that lifted MK off the foot of the League One table.

The seemingly endless one-club career of Dean Lewington, 38, has seen this estimable old pro add a few pounds here and there as he approaches 900 appearances.

He marshalled the visiting defence as they easily mopped up Charlton’s lumbering forays, hardly breaking sweat while calming nerves and smoothing one or two rough spots. Never ruffled, rarely in a hurry, he’s a chip off the still-functioning block which is his dad, the former Fulham midfielder Ray.

Ahead of Lewington in the heart of midfield, much-travelled Bradley Johnson, 35, put himself about, kept the ball moving – something Charlton miserably failed to do – and stepped up, with 12 minutes remaining, to put the seal on MK’s perfect evening by curling a magnificent free kick into the top right corner from fully 25 yards.

That Scott Fraser’s tackle on Dawson Devoy seemed eminently fair was clearly of no concern to the grizzled veteran.

A comparative fledgling at 31, Will Grigg struck the bar in the first half but was largely anonymous until midway through the second session.

Under Eoghan O’Connell’s thumb, he was freed from the Irishman’s grip when referee Neil Hair ruled that Ryan Inniss’ clumsy challenge on Louie Barry occurred inside, rather than quite obviously, outside Charlton’s penalty area.

From 12 yards, he made no mistake and celebrated with all the pent-up frustration he has no doubt nursed since being part of the Sunderland team which had their hearts broken by the Addicks three years ago. Revenge was long delayed but tasted no less sweet for that.

It came as a surprise to realise that Josh McEachran is still nine months short of his 30th birthday. He’s been around forever and has seen a fair bit. Probably in the early twilight of an up-and-down career, he can still produce an occasional killer pass, as he demonstrated with the glorious through ball which sent Barry goalside of Inniss to earn the contentious spot kick.

Insult was added to injury when a second yellow card brought dismissal for Charlton’s mammoth defender. For their part, Charlton were dreadful. Their manager Ben Garner’s puzzling decision to replace left back Steven Sessegnon with Sean Clare was hardly responsible for their turgid, laboured performance but it scarcely helped.

The uncomplaining Clare soldiered on but was clearly uncomfortable in his unfamiliar position. In front of him, young Tyreece Campbell did his best but was clearly out of his depth. He was replaced at half-time by Jack Payne with, it should be said, no marked improvement in quality.

On the opposite flank, meanwhile, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was his, by now customary, mixture of mercurial ability and self-indulgent flashiness.

Wedded to the notion that playing from the back is the key to success, the Addicks struggled instead to cross the halfway line. The ball made its meandering way via Joe Wollacott to Inniss, square to O’Connell, back to Inniss, then for variety out to Clare or Mandela Egbo. Back again to Wollacott and repeat the process.

A total absence of momentum or pace made it easy for MK – even allowing for the old bones in their line-up – to insert spanners into their creaking works.

In an atmosphere more suited to a funeral parlour than the home ground of promotion aspirants, the first half petered out in subdued silence. Only when Nathan Holland outwitted Clare on the right byline before setting up Grigg to hit the woodwork was there even a hint of excitement.

It was quickly followed by the excellent, full-length save Wollacott made to deny Johnson’s well-struck effort to convert the rebound. The interval came as welcome relief to all but 400 of a disbelieving crowd.

The opening stages of the second session offered false hope of improvement. During an all too brief flurry, Charlie Kirk’s low cross critically eluded both Payne and Jayden Stockley before Rak-Sakyi’s fierce drive was beaten clear by Jamie Cumming.

But the burst of aggression fizzled out and Wollacott was again called into action to keep out Holland’s accurate shot. Back went the Addicks into their cramped, crabbed shell, in thrall to a style which clearly doesn’t suit them but is all the rage these days.

The visitors found them easy to handle and fed on their errors. The penalty and the free kick which decided the issue were both harsh but were also the direct consequences of Charlton’s hubris. These were not the up-and-at ’em tactics that routed Exeter and Portsmouth, nor were they the pragmatic methods which registered their first away win of the season at Shrewsbury.

This was recourse to the unimaginative drawing board on which Charlton constructed a string of seven league games without a win.

Bang-in-form Ipswich are next up at The Valley on Saturday. If the Addicks get it right, they might have a surprise waiting for them because Garner’s men are just daft enough to see them off.

Might be an idea to stop horsing around in their own penalty area, though. Just saying…

Charlton: Wollacott, Egbo, Inniss, O’Connell, Clare, Rak-Sakyi , Dobson (McGrandles 82), Fraser (Morgan 80), Campbell (Payne 46), Kirk (Sessegnon 72), Stockley (Aneke 72). Not used: McGillivray, Thomas.
Booked: Inniss (2)-sent off.

Milton Keynes: Cumming, Lewington, O’Hora, McEachran (Burns 86), Grigg (Eisa 79), Holland, Johnson, Barry (Devoy 75), Harvie, Lawrence (Smith 85), Jules. Not used: Ravizzoli, Tucker, Dennis.

Referee: Neil Hair. Official attendance: 12,328 (400 visiting).

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October might have only just begun, but yesterday’s draw at The Valley showed signs of a bleak winter ahead, writes KEVIN NOLAN.

Still likeable but less loquacious these days, Karl Robinson brought Oxford United to The Valley for what, with tongue slightly in cheek, could be described as a quasi-six pointer.

After only 11 games, Charlton are already more interested in results beneath them in League One than those of the pacesetters at the top end of the table. It’s already shaping up as a grim struggle as winter approaches.

The Addicks are an ordinary team who belong in the lower half of the division. It could get better, but don’t bet on it.

It was touching that Charlton’s matchday programme revealed that Robinson “has made no secret of his love for The Valley” but the news hardly came as a surprise.

As recently as last February, the irrepressible Scouser masterminded Charlton’s heaviest defeat of last season when his unfancied side completed a league double over Johnnie Jackson’s bewildered men. Their 4-0 romp was a fair reflection of the gulf in class which divided them.

Arriving on Saturday in 19th position and only one point behind their hosts, with a game in hand, the U’s started confidently and ominously moved into the lead after just 11 minutes.

Accepting Kyle Joseph’s pass in his stride, Marcus Browne made ground as the home defence showed little interest in challenging him, drew a bead from outside the penalty area and beat Joe Wollacott’s desperate dive with a crisp drive into the bottom right corner.

Though expertly executed by Browne, it was the kind of sloppy concession guaranteed to enrage both manager and fans. No doubt Ben Garner was tempted to add his voice to the outbreak of booing which greeted the setback.

He had his say in an “angry team talk” during the interval and, to be fair, drew the right response. Charlton’s second-half performance almost banished from memory their turgid contribution to the opening stanza. The bar had been, admittedly, set low.

Spared further damage as Marcus McGuane lamely rifled a clear-cut chance wide, Garner and an increasingly mutinous crowd grumbled through 45 minutes of tedium, during which only United’s obvious lack of ambition kept their side in the hunt.

Denied space and time by the visitors’ high press, they struggled to cross the halfway line but retired at the break only a goal behind and still, nominally at least, in with a chance. There was no way of knowing, at the time, that Robinson’s chaps had blown an excellent chance of putting this game beyond the reach of their labouring victims.

An enterprising but unsuccessful attempt to lob Simon Eastwood from 40 yards by Mandela Egbo hinted at a fresh attitude and when Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s shot struck a defensive hand before trickling to safety off an upright, the previously unruffled visitors were wilting under unexpected pressure.

It was no longer against the run of play when the Addicks equalised 10 minutes into the second half. Rak-Sakyi made the early running with a shot charged down to Scott Fraser, whose instant return was blocked out to Charlie Kirk by Stuart Findlay.

Composed and calm, Kirk’s perfectly chipped cross from the left gave Jayden Stockley the simple task of heading past Eastwood from three yards. It was the skipper’s first goal of the season and reward for Garner’s introduction of Kirk at half-time.

Kirk’s undoubted ability to find room for accurate crossing was seen again to advantage when fellow substitute Miles Leaburn’s clever backheel sent him clear to deliver hard and low from the same position. Sliding in under Elliott Moore’s alert pressure at the near post, Steven Sessegnon steered inches wide of the target.

An end-to-end game had suddenly erupted, with Oxford more than ready to contribute. An heroic, last-ditch block from Ryan Inniss was required to prevent Joseph from finishing Matty Taylor’s cute lay-off, before a late flurry of chances went unconverted during a hectic conclusion to Charlton’s fifth 1-1 draw of this stuttering season.

Second-half substitute Billy Bodin began the sequence of misses by dancing in from the left, leaving the indefatigable George Dobson on his posterior, but shooting inexplicably over the bar from close range.

At the other end, Dobson was sent clear by Diallang Jaiyesimi’s carefully tailored pass but was unable to beat the advancing Eastwood. Which left the last word to Jodi Jones, whose 25-yard curler drew a fine, full-length save from Joe Wollacott when heading apparently unstoppably inside the keeper’s right hand post.

So a draw it was, Charlton’s sixth from 11 starts in a campaign of mounting frustration. Better than losing, of course, but scarcely the stuff of ambition. Seems we’re always stuck in second gear -with the handbrake on.

Charlton: Wollacott, Sessegnon (Chin 68), Lavelle (Kirk 46), Inniss, O’Connell, Rak-Sakyi, Egbo, Payne (Leaburn 46), Dobson, Fraser, Stockley (Jaiyesimi 87). Not used: McGillivray, Thomas, McGrandles. Booked: Dobson, Lavelle, Inniss.

Oxford: Eastwood, Long, Findlay, Moore, Brannagan, Browne (Gorrin 79), Bate (Taylor 63), Brown, Henry (Bodin 63), McGuane, Joseph (Jones 90). Not used: Brearey, Mousinho, Seddon. Booked: McGuane.

Referee: Robert Madley. Official attendance: 12,806 (1,058 visiting).

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