Llera sports Cech style head gear

Vaasa, Finland: Charlton maintained their 100 per cent record in the league with a 2-1 win at the former Brisbane Road over Leyton Orient. The Addicks are 2nd in the table just behind mighty Colchester and ahead of Leeds on goal difference.

Charlton defender Miguel Llera is wearing Peter Cech style head gear to enable him to play in tonight's clash with Orient. Otherwise, the Addicks line-up is unchanged but they are wearing the stylish new away strip which has drawn admiring glances in the JJ sports bar here in beautiful downtown Vaasa (noted for its 'socialist realist' architecture).

Unconfirmed reports suggested that Peter Varney and Alan Curbishey were sitting in the directors' box, but others think they were look alikes. In fact Varney and Curbs were sitting in an away area, the former chief executive accompanied by two famly members. The Rickster has pointed out that there is nothing remarkable about Varney attending a game and sitting with away fans (although Curbs would be a different matter if he was there as he has not had any recent contact with Charlton as far as I know). Peter Varney was asked about the takeover and waved his arms. Should it go ahead, Curbs may become a director.

Orient had much of the early possession. Sam got in a cross on 7 minutes, but Burton's header was wide. Shelvey had a free kick in a promising position on 22 minutes and Burton connected but Jones in the Orient goal made a good save.

Disaster struck when Orient went 1-0 ahead just before the half hour mark. Following the concession of a free kick by Racon, a cross came in and Mkandawire headed into the back of the net.

Semedo put in a cross minutes afterwards, bujt Mkandawire cleared and Sam shot wide from distance on 32 minutes. Both Sam and Shelvey were booked in the first half. Some think that Shelvey was lucky not to be sent off.

Burton had a last minute effort on goal, but Jones saved comfortably.

Half time: Orient 1, Charlton 0

Racon was the latest player to be booked just after the break. Sounds as if they were too up for it.

Jones saved comfortably from Bailey after a Shelvey corner. Elliot saved from an Orient corner.

Just after chucking out time at the JJ sports bar (11 pm Finnish time) Shelvey ended his quiet start to the season when he scored on 64 minutes from a knock on. Just six minutes from time Burton pounced on an error from Mkandawire to make it 2-1.

Those who were there thought there was too much long ball and too many avoidable yellow cards. Nevertheless, we have played two of our first games away and we should be able to beat Walsall on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Saints fans celebrated their good fortune in securing the services of Alan Pardew as their points total stayed at -9.

Leamington beat Evesham United 4-1 in their first home match of the season in front of a crowd of 717 at Harbury Lane. Unusually only one of the goals was apprehended by Sgt. Mark Bellingham, Luke Corbett scoring twice for Brakes.