Despite two penalties awarded against them, one taken a second time to enable Reading to equalise, Charlton came out convincing 4-2 winners against the Royals at The Valley today. Charlton were really up for it and playing as a team. For all their billing as the team that would take the division by storm with automatic promotion a foregone conclusion, Reading were less than impressive and somewhat disjointed.
One of the miserable crew behind said he would leave at half time if Charlton were 0-2 behind and go to Bromley instead, showing what a confident bunch of supporters we have.
Charlton started quite brightly, even though it was an end-to-end affair as it was for much of the game. Holland provided a good pass to Bouazza who had a try. Fortune was out maneouvred, but Bailey recovered well in defence. Holland won the ball. There was momentary danger in front of the Charlton goal. Hudson showed real skill in defence by playing the ball through the legs of a Reading player.
Basey was out manoeuvred by his man and Weaver had to make a save. A good run by Moutaoukil forced a Reading defender to head over his own goal and gave Charlton their first corner. However, Basey's corner was poor. Good work by Bailey set up a shot by Lloyd Sam. Sam then forced a Charlton corner.
Reading were awarded a free kick in a potentially dangerous position, but the Premiership maestros showed their quality by putting the ball out of play. The Addicks launched a counter attack and the impressive Bouazza put in an angled shot that was just wide of the far post.
Sam gave the ball away, but Charlton recovered. Hanhemann in the Reading goal saved from Moutaoukil, but then fumbled the follow up and Holland was able to tap the ball into an unguarded net to make it 1-0.
Weaver made a commanding catch and followed this by a good save. Bouazza cleared a dangerous attack. As Reading pressed for the equaliser, the referee gave Reading a rather generous penalty, but they missed, hitting the woodwork. Basey went in well and Varney had a shot.
Bouazza put in a cross and Hanhemann had to save at point blank range from Gray. An effort by the busy Bouazza was just wide. Varney surged forward in a solo run on goal and was brought down in the box. The referee was clearly disconcerted at the thought of a penalty award to Charlton and consulted the West Stand lino. The penalty was then awarded and Gray slotted the ball home decisively to make it 2-0 to the Addicks.
Bouazza forged away down the wing and was only stopped by a very good tackle. With two minutes added on, Reading were awarded a corner. This was defended far too deeply by Charlton with only Matt Holland coming out when it was partially cleared. Consequently, Sonko was able to put the ball away and revive Reading's hopes by sending the two teams in at half time with a 2-1 scoreline.
Half time: Addicks 2, Royals 1
Lita and Gray had a chat on the halfway line about old times as they waited for the kick off. Charlton were awarded a free kick, but Sam's header went over. There was a worrying moment when Bailey went down.
Reading won a corner and once again it was not played out. The referee awarded a penalty for an alleged foul by Fortune, although I did not see it. Weaver saved Stephen Hunt's first effort. The referee decided that the penalty should be taken again, presumably for encroachment, although I did not see it. This time Hunt struck home to make it 2-2. Bouazza received a yellow card: whether this was for encroachment or dissent I don't know.
Charlton won a corner which was taken by Basey. The ball returned to Basey by the corner flag, but his effort at a cross was overhit. A fierce shot by Luke Varney which tested Hahnemann and led to a Charlton corner. This was taken by Sam and the keeper had to punch the ball out.
Reading were awarded a free kick near the West Stand corner flag and then three corners in succession, but their attempt to take the lead ended in a Charlton goal kick.
Holland provided good defensive work. Sonko received a yellow card for a blatant foul on Varney. Then a good Lloyd Sam cross enabled Varney to head the ball in the net to make it 3-2. This was the decisive goal that turned the game but it was followed by a real peach of a goal by Bouazza which announcer Big Dave Lockwood immediately nominated as a candidate for goal of the season.
Reading decided to go fraternal by bringing on Noel Hunt to partner his brother. Varney powered through but was foiled by the keeper. Fortune put in an excellent ball across the pitch to Bouazza who turned provider for Gray whose effort came off the woodwork, but he was probably offside anyway.
Moutaoukil provided good defensive cover in front of the Charlton goal. Lloyd Sam was replaced by Ambrose. Charm merchant Sonko received a second yellow card for a foul and Reading were down to ten men. As often happens in such cases, they looked more threatening and a shot came off the woodwork. Basey provided good defensive work. Moutaoukil was taken off, receiving warm applause and Semedo replaced him. He was almost immediately fouled by Noel Hunt who received a yellow card.
With four minutes of time added on, Nicky Weaver had to make a good save to preserve Charlton's margin. Charlton were 6th in the table after the other matches were played which is somewhat at odds with the proliferating prognostications of likely relegation. Moreover, the performance today gave real hope.
I was back home in time to hear Dave Pender's Big Saturday Night Party on Radio Scilly (see links). Appropriately, he was playing It's A Beautiful Day as I finished this report. Apparently, Old Town was rocking last night, but not as much as The Valley. And Leamington won to maintain their 100 per cent record.
Match analysis
Ivy the Terrible (who also contributed a report for tomorrow's Observer) introduced Hameur Bouazza to what is now a Charlton tradition with the award of his first ever Silver Bone in recognition of his constant forays down the flank, his excellent positioning and his superb goal. However, in his first appearance at The Valley Nicky Bailey provided the combative and dominating presence we have needed in midfield for so long and was awarded a special commemorative Silver Biscuit. Nicky Weaver made some great saves, including frustrating two penalty attempts. It was not his fault that Reading were given a second attempt.
Moutaoukil was on song, making some great runs down the wing and looking solid in defence. Basey generally played well, but was out manoeuvred once or twice and his corners are ordinary at best. Fortune is solid most of the time, but makes occasional worrying errors. If only he could concentrate for 90 minutes. Hudson did what was required him of with quiet efficiency. Holland brought dependable solidity to complement the combativeness of Weaver. Apparently his goal was his first at The Valley for over four years. Sam was disappointing in the first half, but improved in the second, providing the assist for one of the goals. Gray took his penalty confidently and showed some nice touches, but sometimes seemed a little slow. Varney got his reward for his efforts with a well taken goal.
Ambrose came on late in the second half and still looked very much the curate's egg, good in parts, but unsatisfactory as a whole. Semedo had a short cameo.
Hiss of the Match There was only one candidate for Juneau the Soccer Cat who awarded it to referee Lee Mason for his inconsistent and often bizarre decision-making. However, Juneau recruited her sister Amber to give a special hiss to the East Stand lino. Reading could do nothing wrong in his eyes, but his facility with the offside flag against the Addicks can only be explained by his time as a guard on trains serving Selhurst and Norwood.
Crowd rating: The team's performance lifted the crowd, but it should really be the other way round. 7/10.
Statesside
I leave early tomorrow morning for the States for work, to New Hampshire (where I have not been before) and Boston Ma. There will consequently be no report on the Preston game.
6 comments:
The first Reading penalty was not generous at all. Perfectly clear cut penalty. And to say that the ref was "disconcerted" to give Charlton a penalty is mischievous on your part - looked to me like he was merely consulting with his linesman as to whether it was inside or outside the box. As he then gave it, I would say that was good refereeing.
But an excellent Charton performance - showed real link-up play (something that Reading were sorely missing), flair and determination. To be honest, the best moves didn't result in goals, but there was lots on offer.
A refreshing performance from Charlton, despite some bizzare refereeing. All the penalties were soft and debateable, though the Reading first one the nearest to clear-cut. The decision to order a penalty retake against Weaver was simply unjust. It left me thinking if Weaver had saved again, it would have been taken again and again until Reading scored.
It was a performance with the thing we have missed most, passion. Let's hope there's more of that available.
Great report, Wyn. However you were a little harsh on Jon Fortune; I thought he was excellent today, one of his best performances for years. Not only did he win a majority of headers and make some good tackles, but his long range passing was fantastic. This was somewhat helped by Bouazza, whose first touch was immaculate and always looked dangerous. In one game he's achieved more than Jerome Thomas did in the whole of last season.
Very encouraging stuff. Up the Addicks.
Lee Mason is the ref who contributed to our relegation from the Premiership when in the 0-0 home game against Watford he gave us a free kick outside the penalty area for a handball that occurred inside the area and then failed to give a penalty when Amdy Faye was brought down in the second half. Both incidents were highlighted by Chris Kamara on Goals on Sunday the following day as definite penalties. These errors were also mentioned in the report of the referee assessor present that day. Nothing in his performance yesterday suggested any improvement in his ability.
We played like a proper team. I thought Bailey was immense, a real midfield battler. Bouazza and Moutaouakil were excellant.
When Reading missed their first Pen, it was obvious that at least six players (from both sides) encroached) so I was not surprised a problem later developed (or was the re-take for Weaver off his line).
The Ref was dreadful and was all over the place, and in the first half I could hear him screaming at players (and I sit at the back of the West lower) He just wants to be on TV.
Overall, a very good team display although Hudson looked like he was carrying an injury.
Best Charlton display I can remember for some time. I think the Wyn was correct in highlighting Bailey as a huge poitive from the game. The difference he made was't just defensively though. It his willingnes to move into space and demand the ball to hi fet. He looked composed even when given the ball with the opposition up his back. We've severely lacked a midfielder with the bravery and ability to hold onto the ball under pressure instead of panicing or offering a nothing ball to a teammate.
A promising performance and I've gotta say I was surprised but hopefully this bodes well. In addition, just have to say that I'm not a great fan of Varney's technical ability, aside from pace I think he lacks basic ball skills however I love seeing him in the team and his passion for the shirt. Its worth mentioning when we're often so quick to slate lazy players.
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