Wonder goal from Wagstaff

A start for Frazer Richardson was the only change made by Phil Parkinson in the line up for the match against Hartlepool reports Philippa Nicholson from The Valley. Parky called for a professional approach to the game in the programme. There were about sixty or seventy away fans in the Jimmy Seed Stand on a chilly night with a cold wind.

Charlton started well and won a corner within the first minute, unsettling the youthful Hartlepool side. Basey's corner was well taken, but did not lead to anything. Hartlepool staged their first attack of the game which did momentarily pose a threat with Basey not coping too well.

Semedo broke up another Hartlepool attack following a free kick. Sweeney threatened, the Addicks launched a counter attack, but Burton's long range effort was easily gathered by former Glazier Scott Flinders in the visitors' goal. It was a lively start from both teams.

Dailly unusually put in a poor pass, but Charlton recovered through Bailey. Hartlepool had settled down and were clearly not there to make up the numbers. Charlton won a second corner after a cross from Richardson was deflected. Flinders claimed the ball well after Burton had headed it into the air under pressure.

Llera put in a good long ball, Mooney headed down well, Burton hesitated and the ball went behind for a corner taken again by Basey. Burton jumped too early and the ball went behind for a goal kick.

Elliot comfortably gathered a cross from Monkhouse. Sam evaded Monkhouse but Shelvey's cross went out of play after Hartlepool had been opened up. Richardson half cleared a Hartlepool free kick and further pressure was applied by the visitors.
Llera had to clear away a cross with Larkin behind him giving Hartlepool their first corner. The corner was not taken well, but the ball came back in and Llera made a complete mess of the clearance. Fortunately, Dailly was fouled, giving the Addicks a free kick. The Charlton defence was at panic stations, an all too familiar scenario.

Basey fed Burton but the striker's touch was poor and the ball went out for a throw in. Richardson tried to turn provider for Burton whose position was good but he headed wide. Elliot claimed well under pressure following a Hartlepool free kick.
Sam lost control of the ball to the despair of the Addickted.

Parky was trying to get the Addicks to calm down and take the pace out of the game. The midfield did not seem to be at its best. Word came through that Leeds had gone behind at home to Carlisle in the JPT. Charlton did not deal well with a clearance, but won a free kick.

Charlton did threaten for a moment, but the visitors were able to clear. Sam burst into the penalty area, but his effort and a follow up by Mooney were blocked. Sam evaded two players, Shelvey rose and his effort went over the crossbar.

Hartlepool had a go but Elliot caught the ball well. Bailey took a free kick quickly and the opportunity was wasted. The ball was whipped in well from the left by Basey and with half an hour played Mooney put the ball into the net to make it 1-0 with an excellent finish. The goal came just as the Addickted were started to get frustrated. The referee went over to the bench to rebuke Kinsella for encroachment and he withdrew from the technical area to the bench.

Hartlepool threatened, but Basey saw the danger and put the ball out for a throw. The visitors had their best chance, but Elliot was able to gather the shot from Humphreys. Larkin threatened but Basey challenged well in the box. Another effort from Humphreys went well over the crossbar.

Charlton won their fourth corner, it came in high and Burton's effort led to a goal kick. The referee, Mr Tanner, had a word with Shelvey. The game had quietened down somewhat. Charlton won a free kick on the wing after Semedo was fouled, but Basey's effort was headed away. Hartlepool made a late attack, Richardson dealt with it well after Elliot hesitated and Nicky Bailey needed some treatment after a tackle from behind which the referee did not see.

One minute of time was added on. A very long throw came in and in the subsequent play Bailey was the subject of a rough challenge and Behan was booked.

Half time: Charlton Athletic 1, Hartlepool United 0

Basey headed away as the ball came into the penalty area. Dailly took Sweeney's legs from under him and the visitors were given a penalty. The ball from Behan hit Elliot in front of the Hartlepool fans and the ball went up into the roof of the net and just in.

Charlton tried to respond with some good play as the visitors got everyone back behind the ball. Sam was pulled down by Liddle, but the referee saw nothing wrong. Sam won a corner for Charlton. Flinders punched the ball out from Basey's corner and Hartlepool tried to counter attack. Mooney advanced, using a long pass from Dailly, but was unable to make contact.

The Addickted were starting to show their frustration, particularly with Shelvey. Llera sent a ball high into the air. Basey gave the ball away to Monkhouse. Shelvey tried from 25 yards out and hit the outside of the post.

Burton put in a scrambled effort which went just wide of the post and Shelvey could not connect. The pace was frenetic. Mooney with his back to goal shot over the top. Charlton won a free kick 25 yards out after Burton was pushed, but Basey's effort led to nothing.

Bailey burst into the penalty area but Flinders gathered well. A late challenge by Collins on David Mooney led to a yellow card. Shelvey was taken off in favour of McKenzie. Immediately after coming on, he won a free kick. Sam put in a good cross, Bailey tried a snap shot which looked as if it might head for the top corner but it went inches wide.

Mooney's first touch was poor and Flinders was able to gather. Flinders managed to defend an effort from Sam at the expense of a corner. Sam was taken off and Dickson came on. Mooney was replaced by Wagstaff. Basey's corner was punched away. Hartlepool won an offside decision with a late flag which angered the nearby Addickted.

Behan was replaced by Boyd for Hartlepool. The departing striker took his time in leaving the pitch. Hartlepool were start to time waste and the referee needed to get a grip. Wagstaff shot from 25 yards and the super sub scored. What a brilliant strike into the top corner!

Humphreys was taken off and replaced by Jones for the visitors. Charlton were keeping possesion well and put in some nice passes with Semedo looking impressive. The flag went up against Dickson. Charlton won another corner through great work by Wagstaff.

Richardson did well to deal with Boyd. Gamble was booked for a clumsy challenge on Semedo. Dickson headed in but the goal was ruled out for a push, a young man came on to the pitch with very limited clothing and he was rugby tackled by Collins.

Five minutes were added on. Wagstaff advanced down the right, but his cross was claimed by Flinders. Hartlepool advanced, Llera blocked the shot, then Bailey blocked an effort. A long ball was put in by Elliot, the clearance from Flinders was pounced on by Dickson, but his effort was wide.

Hartlepool attacked again, Llera cleared, Wagstaff was knocked to the ground and Charlton were awarded a free kick. The whistle blew and Charlton collected three points that put them level with Norwich City on points but behind on goal difference.