Sunday 10 November 2013

We were hard done by

I wasn't anticipating a win against Leeds United yesterday, but I was left with a sense of grievance about the way in which were defeated. We played some good football, but decisions by the referee and two grievous errors by Hamer left us defeated 2-4. Kenny also made two excellent saves.

When I saw water being swept from the underpass at London Bridge, I realised that there had been a lot of rain and fans on the platform were talking about a pitch inspection. The start of the game was postponed by half an hour and the pitch certainly looked very wet and splashed up water. The match at Park View Road seems to have started without difficulty. Admittedly, we are at the bottom of a steep hill, but it does seem that the drainage needs attention.

An early effort by Harriott was not far wide. Harriott then burst through and put in another effort which was not far wide. Charlton then won a corner which was unproductive. Then Lees thumped a pass from the halfway line, Blackstock outwitted Morrison and McCormack brought Charlton's run of clean sheets to an end.

We had a penalty call which was at least as justified as the one given at the start of the second half. Wootton for Leeds kept falling over and breaking up the momentum of the game. Stewart won Charlton a promising free kick. Stephens over hit the free kick, possibly because he was going for glory. Morrison's momentum carried him forward and he was given a yellow card for a foul on Michael Brown. Greeted by shouts of 'cheat', the charm merchant laughed at the East Stand crowd.

Simon Church put in a stunning run down the wing, but ultimately it was unproductive. The referee finally got fed up with Kenny's time wasting tactics and gave him a yellow card. This was greeted with sarcastic applause by the keeper.

Church put in a great volley, but Kenny made an excellent save. Blackstock received a yellow card after he kicked the ball away. Charlton won a corner. Stewart scored with a volley on the stroke of half time after Leeds half cleared to the edge of the box.

Half time: 1-1

I felt that just before half time we were developing momentum and really putting some pressure on Leeds, but the break gave them the chance to regroup. The hapless Wootton was replaced by Zaliukas. In the first minute of the second half the decisive blow came. Callum Harriott felled Danny Pugh and McCormack drove the ball into the roof of the net.

Kenny had to tip the ball over from Harriott. From a subsequent corner, Dervitte put the ball over when he had a chance to score. Hamer managed to put a free kick out of play. Harriott was taken off and replaced by Kermorgant. Excellent work from Church set up Jackson who made no mistake in equalising. Three minutes later McCormack scored his third after Hamer failed to act decisively. Blackstock was replaced by the giant Smith. Chris Powell made a double substitution, taking off Stewart and Wilson and bringing on Sordell and Pritchard. In injury time McCormack got his fourth, swinging a free kick inside the far post.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Lawrie Wilson who was involved all the time and made some excellent runs. Hamer trudged off the pitch on his own at the end of the game and well he might. Especially in wet conditions, you have to command your area and go for the ball. His kicking out was also poor. Morrison was always active, and although his distribution is not always great, I would not fault his performance. Dervitte was less involved and missed one chance to score, but generally he was competent. Wiggins showed some real skill in advancing the ball. Stephens did not maintain his recent improvement and his free kicks disappointed. Cousins was solid without really sparkling. Harriott did an excellent job on the wing had a number of attempts on goal. Stewart did not start well, over hitting the ball, but his equalising goal was excellent. Jackson played his part, although he was tiring towards the end. His goal was a relatively easy one to score, but it is still possible to mess them up and he didn't. Church did excellent work for the assist for Jackson's goal. He may not score many goals, but he plays his part. Kermorgant still looked far from fit when he came on and did not really contribute. Pritchard tried to be busy as always, but did not add much. Sordell added less.

Rescue Cat Reg had no hesitation in awarding the Hiss of the Match to vertically challenged referee Kevin Stroud.

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