Tuesday 29 March 2011

First ever league defeat to Rochdale

There was just one change in Charlton’s line up tonight at Rochdale reports Paul May with Anyinsah replacing Nouble who had picked up an ankle injury. Benson was on the bench where he was joined by Michael Stewart.

Llera had to head out an early Rochdale attack. Wright-Phillips put in a decent cross. An error occurred in the Rochdale defence but Wagstaff was unable to take advantage. Parrett appeared to be fouled in the area but the referee saw nothing in it. Racon put in a shot and a deflection saved it from entering the Rochdale net.

Done put an effort well over the bar as the end-to-end exchanges continued. Rochdale threatened through O’Grady and Atkinson after Solly slipped, but the attack petered out. Racon made a good run and Charlton won a corner. The Addicks kept up the pressure from the corner but the move ended in a goal kick. Llera might have done better after a good cross from Parrett.

The game became something of a midfield scrap. Rochdale won a corner, Llera defended well at the expense of a second corner.

Anyinsah drew a save from the best chance of the match so far on 25 minutes, Wright-Phillips had a chance but it was blocked by a Dale defender.

Wagstaff was looking good on the wing, advancing the ball well. Dailly defended well as Rochdale advanced. Rochdale threatened momentarily, but the attack petered out.

Rochdale won a corner off Solly which was cleared by the Addicks. Rochdale attacked again and Kennedy drilled the ball home along the ground from 30 yards into the bottom corner of the net. This was the home side’s first shot on target. Elliot may have been unsighted as he did not make an effort to save it.

Rochdale had a chance for a second but Done put the ball just wide. Parrett put in a good tackle to hold up Rochdale with Dailly out of position. A Charlton attack petered out with Anyinsah in danger of being caught offside. A shot by Semedo was blocked and Rochdale counter attacked.

Half time: Dale 1, Addicks 0

Llera put in an absurd shot from 40 yards out. There was a tight offside decision against Charlton. Benson replaced Anyinsah who had not looked fully fit.

Benson had a chance, put in a good volley but the keeper tipped it over. The corner was unproductive. Racon put in an effort and won another corner kick. The corner was poor. The ball richocheted around in the area but the keeper was able to gather.

Benson hit the ball straight at the keeper and it was tipped over the bar. Thompson came on for Atkinson. Llera did not deal with a cross well. Wright-Phillips was not able to make use of a long ball from Llera.

A cross from Thompson was headed away by Bessone. Charlton won a corner kick after Wagstaff was not able to get his shot away. Llera put in a good cross but Fon Williams was able to claim. O’Grady advanced well but was unable to put his shot on target.

Akpa Akpro came on for Rochdale. The home side won a corner kick, the ball bobbled around and it went over the line, Dawson making it 2-0. This was poor defending. Eccleston replaced Wagstaff. Elliot saved from the substitute Akpa Akpro. Michael Stewart made his debut for Charlton with Semedo going off, but Charlton were deflated.

An effort by Racon was pushed away by Fon Williams who made a good save. The corner kick was poor. Racon fed Wright-Phillips and his effort was deflected for a Charlton corner.

Eccleston raced down the pitch, Racon put in a shot, but it was blocked on the line by a defender. A volley by Wright-Phillips was just wide.

A crowd of 2,589 saw Rochdale’s first ever win over Charlton in the league.

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