A Game of Two Halves

That cliché needs to be brought at least once in a season, but today at The Valley it was fully deserved. Charlton conceded two easy goals in the opening period to Sheffield Wednesday. Their attempts to get back into the game were marred by the limitations of the midfield with long balls being played forward in the hope that they would find an Addick rather than an Owl. Our efforts also lacked pace, albeit it was a very hot day. We also seemed to have no shape whereas Wednesday kept theirs.

Things changed for the better just before half time when Zheng Zhi came on in place of the injured Thatcher, Semedo switching impressively to left back. Almost immediately, the midfield became more effective and showed more bite. Balls were passed forward along the ground and Jerome Thomas came into the game much more. Reid opening the scoring for the Addicks, followed by two good strikes by the commanding Chris Iwelumo. A disallowed goal for each side added to the excitement, but Charlton ended the day with their first league win of the season.

On our way out of Leamington we saw a crowd of Brakes fans waiting for the coach to Rushall Olympic. They went down 1-0 so Leamington have started their season like Charlton with one win, one draw and a defeat.

Pards had called in the programme for the team to be quicker to opposition defences before they get set and Charlton did started brightly with an early attack. However, Bent delivered to the keeper and another effort went just wide.

Wednesday won a corner and the ball draw an 'ooooh!' from their supporters as it was watched past the post. However, on six minutes Springbok Burton O'Brien lifted his shot over the outstretched Weaver to make it 1-0 to the Owls.

A long ball forward by Thatcher allowed Iwelumo to win Charlton their first corner, but it ended in a free kick for the visitors. Ambrose put an effort well wide. A Wednesday corner ended in an Addicks free kick. A corner from O'Brien was poorly defended and Spurr was able to head into the back of the net to make it 0-2, his first goal for the Owls.

McCarthy picked up a yellow card for a foul. A Charlton free kick in front of goal went to the keeper. Marcus Bent won Charlton a corner, but it was unproductive. A Charlton free kick in front of goal went over the bar. As the match headed into time added on, Thatcher, who had taken a knock, was taken off and Zheng Zhi came on.

Half time: Addicks 0, Owls 2

Marcus Bent was taken off in favour of Todorov immediately after the break. Ambrose put in a shot from distance. An effort by Thomas was saved. Then on 51 minutes Andy Reid got the ball on his right foot and put the ball in the net to make it 1-2. Game on.

Ambrose created a dangerous situation by giving the ball away in midfield. Iwelumo had a try, but his shot went wide. In play following a Wednesday free kick, Weaver's save was a bit slow. The Wednesday corner led to play in front of goal and a shot went in leading to a second corner. From there Wednesday put the ball in the net. However, referee Friend who had a good game and was scrupulously neutral, ruled it out for pushing. A scramble in front of the Wednesday goal saw the ball in the back of the net, but this too was disallowed.

O'Brien kicked the ball away at a free kick and was yellow carded by the referee. On 67 minutes an excellent through ball from Zheng Zhi allowed Iwelumo to put the ball in the back of the net for the equaliser.

A phase followed in which the Addicks dominated the match, but could not find the back of the net for the winning goal. Ambrose won Charlton a corner which was taken short and followed by a second. Thomas put in a good ball to Reid, but he seemed to catch the Charlton captain off balance and he was not able to make use of it. Thomas turned provider for Iwelumo, but his shot went wide.

Spurr fouled Thomas and received a yellow card. Reid's resultant free kick was over hit. The rampant Iwelumo won Charlton a corner which was mysteriously converted into a free kick on the edge of the box. Wednesday keeper Grant Lee had to tip the shot over the bar. Before the resultant corner could be taken, the keeper was booked.

For a moment I thought Iwelumo had scored, but the ball went round the back of the net. Ambrose blasted over. Wednesday still threatend on occasion and Zheng Zhi had to make a good defensive tackle. Then with three minutes remaining before full time, Iwelumo powered through the penalty area and put in an excellent strike to make it 3-2.

An Ambrose error set up a Wednesday attack. In four minutes of time added on, Thomas won a corner and an attempt was made to keep it in the corner, but all that resulted was a Wednesday free kick. Then the whistle blew and the Addickted could celebrate their first league win since March. What this performance did show was that there is the spirit in the side to fight back.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has been signed on by The Observer after only a couple of weeks as a match analyst and you can read her comments there tomorrow. The Belgian Shepherd presented the Silver Bone to Chris Iwelumo for his performance which showed strength, skill and determination. Nicky Weaver (5) did not have the best of games even though he was let done by his defence. Bougherra (6) was the subject of continual taunting by the Owls, but I still don't see what they think they are missing. Fortune (6) is probably the best centre back we have at the club at the moment, but it is clearly a problem area. Thatcher (5) was not that impressive before going off injured. McCarthy (6) did his best in the right back role, but needed to be more mobile coming forward. Semedo (7) continues to look a promising player and slotted very well into the left back role. Darren Ambrose (4) was noted for giving the ball away in dangerous situations, lightweight interventions and shots way off target. He did make a few good moves, but Steve from Sidcup's description of him as a 'poser' is not far from the mark. Jerome Thomas (6) kept drifting inside and seemed reluctant to go past a weak Wednesday defence in the first half, but his play improved considerably as the game went on and he posed a real threat to Wednesday. Reid (7) played well, showing an ability to penetrate the Owls defence. I did not think that Bent (6) played that badly in the first half, even though he fluffed some chances. Zheng Zhi (7) was really up for it when he came on and made all the difference. Tordorov (6) showed some nice touches, but I am not sure this is what is needed in the Championship. Faye had a cameo appearance, possibly his last at The Valley.

Juneau the Soccer Cat likes the good life and felt that the latest economy measure, shutting two turnstiles in the East Stand, was an example of a decision that was not going to save much money but conveyed a cheapskate image.

Crowd rating: The crowd understandably got restive and frustrated in the first half, but I am not sure that booing at the end of the half contributes anything. Their spirits revived in the second half. There were a lot of empty gaps. 5/10.