The shock news that Nicky Weaver had been dropped in favour of Rob Elliott in goal greeted Charlton fans arriving at The Valley tonight, writes Petts Wood Addick Janice Styler. Having fallen foul of the five player rule in previous games, Waghorn joined Gray up front. Basey slotted in at left back and Semedo started in central midfield. Sam was brought in on the wing. The kick off was delayed after the Blackwall Tunnel was closed and the Rams held up, eventually having to resort to the Woolwich Free Ferry. 20,989 seats had been sold.
Fortune had to head over his own bar as Varney bore down on goal, leading to the first corner. The corner was taken short and the offside flag went up against the Rams. Waghorn almost capitalised on an Albrichtson stumble, but the Derby full back made an important challenge. A Varney cross was headed away. Fortune had to deal with a further threat from the lively Varney.
Waghorn went down injured off the ball after being caught by a trip by Darren Powell.
Long ball play was prevalent from both sides. Fortune went into the advertising hoardings rather awkwardly under pressure from Luke Varney. A Basey free kick took a deflection leading to the first Charlton corner on 17 minutes.
Bouazza broke well down the left, Sam hit the inside of the post and Bailey scuffed the follow up shot. Waghorn burst through and hit it against Bywater's chest in the Derby goal. Derby threatened but the shot went wide. Charlton won a free kick in a decent position after charm merchant Darren Powell fouled Waghorn.
The ball went from Sam to Semedo who fed Gray, Powell was the wrong side of Gray and the striker was able to take control and make it 1-0. Waghorn was struggling with his dead leg. Hudson was dealing with Ellington well while Varney had faded.
Half time: Addicks 1, Rams 0
Derby took off Kamierczak and brought on Kris Commons. Charm merchant Darren Powell brought down Bouazza as he advanced on goal and received a yellow. Bouazza's effort went over the top of the bar. Derby made another substitution, Zadkovich being replaced by Giles Barnes.
Bouazza and Waghorn interchanged well but Bouazza put the ball over the bar, missing a golden chance. Teale put in a shot and Elliott made a super save, then Basey made a good challenge on Varney at the expense of a corner. Charlton faced some pressure, before winning a throw in. Bywater had to made a double save, firstly off Bouazza and then from Sam. Derby threatened and put the ball in the net, but the offside flag went up, a decision that went Charlton's way.
A handball decision was given against Semedo and referee d'Urso pointed to the penalty spot. Ellington rolled the ball slowly home to make it 1-1. Sam bore down on goal, he fed it back to Waghorn and with great composure he made it 2-1 on 63 minutes.
Darren Powell, in constant danger of a red, was replaced by the youngster Tomkins. Waghorn put in a decent cross to Bouazza but he did not take advantage of it. Connolly put in a dangerous challenge on Basey but got away with the yellow. Cranie dealt with a threat from Ellington at the expense of a corner kick.
Waghorn was taken off in the final game of his loan spell to a standing ovation and was replaced by Burton. The tiring Sam was replaced by Gillespie. A curious offside decision was made against Burton. As normal time came to an end, Charlton applied some pressure.
In time added on, Gillespie showed his experience by winning a clever free kick. Then on the stroke of full time Ellington fired it home with a half volley that gave Elliott no chance after an awful header from Grant Basey. After a battling performance, luck deserted Charlton again. The three points would have pushed them up the table.
5 comments:
Finally a game with more positives than negatives. The equalizer was gutting, but most of the lads can go home with their heads held high tonight. Good points: decent keeper, some hard tackles, fairly good link up play and a striker who looks like he can score. Bad points: need a decent right back, Bailey needs to stop faffing around with the ball at his feet and Bouazza has to work a lot harder. January is going to be the most important month for the club in the last decade. I'm praying the board make the right choices. Third time lucky?!
The team had more shape tonight and there was a more obvious game plan. For me the most obvious weakness was in central midfield. Bailey is struggling and whilst I know there are those who rate Semedo I felt he was very poor again tonight. The lack of quality from those two meant once again that we were unable to keep the ball and, arguably, we paid a heavy price at the death; we had possession 2 or 3 times in the last two minutes and gave the ball away each time.
All these frickin' anonymous experts -if only they would throw their hats in the ring to be our saviour manager. Apparently, they have all the answers.
Anyone who calls any of our players 'poor' after last nights effort needs to give their head a shake. I am really tired of these people who expect perfection. Do they achieve it in their own lives?
There was even some 'perfect being' that criticised Basey for stretching every sinew and blood vessel in his attempt to clear that throw in to safety.
Unbelievable
Good crowd and atmosphere. Also thought it was lack of experience in midfield that cost us. I'd have liked to have seen Todorov brought on and perhaps Bouazza taken off with Youga coming on as left back and Basey in front of him to tighten up that left side.
What is wrong with Todorov, is he stil injured? He plays deeper and can open up defences. Would like to see him given a run soon. He shows touches of real quality when on.
I agree about Todorov. He is a class above anything else in the club but maybe the way we are playing i.e. long ball - does not suit him. When our midfield is passing with confidence he would be more effective. The players are not bad but there are some deep rooted psychological blocks that need to be removed - perhaps with professional psychotherapy.
I would like us to get Ambrose back and play him in his best role - not right wing. Bailey needs a rest.
I would also like to see Zheng back and see what a difference he would make. But will be fit and if he is will he be sold?
The Waghorn extension is good news but really can't see any need for Deon Burton - just not good enough for the Championship. Dickson is going, Varney will go and we should not pursue Burton and Izale needs to go. That should free up some cash for a better option.
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