Addicks fight back but lose 3-2

There was only one change in Charlton’s line up at Pride Park, reports Paul May. Danny Green came in for Pritchard. Wilson took the right back slot with Solly on the left. Evina was on the bench

Charlton won their first corner within two minutes following a free kick. Jackson’s corner was a good one but unproductive with Kermorgant jumping a fraction early.

Ward’s free kick was driven into the wall. A shot from Coutts was blocked. A shot by Bryson was on target but with a block by Stephens, Hamer was able to gather. On seven minutes a volley by Ward picked up pace and Derby were 1-0 up, reflecting the intense and lively early play of the home side. Hamer might have got down more quickly. The Derby midfield looked a lot stronger.

Wright-Phillips put in a good cross, but Jackson was unable to take advantage. Sammon broke in behind Morrison and Cort, but he put the ball over.

Charlton were finding it difficult to build a rhythm with the Rams pressing them hard. They were playing neat and tidy possession football, much sharper, getting to the ball first.

A Derby free kick led to their first corner of the game, but Hamer was able to gather from the subsequent play. Wright-Phillips advanced, but his effort was poor. Solly defended well against Sammon.

Derby won a corner through pressure. The Addicks had difficulty in clearing their lines. An effort by Ward hit the side netting. Hamer was able to gather from another Ward attack. The Addickted started a chorus of Valley Floyd Road. The home crowd was surprisingly rather subdued.

Sammon was unable to make use of an opportunity created by Ward. From the corner Hughes was unable to make use of an opportunity.

A shot by Coutts was blocked by Solly. Sammon had a half chance but put the ball wide. It had been all Derby, but at least Charlton were only 1-0 behind giving Chris Powell a chance to revitalise his troops.

Half time: Rams 1, Addicks 0

Charlton started the second half brightly. They were closing down Derby more effectively. Wilson advanced and the Rams had to concede a corner taken by Stephens. Derby had to clear off the line from Jackson but they counter attacked and the shot from Ward just went wide.

After an awful back pass from Morrison, Hamer blocked from Sammon after Hughes squared the ball, but Bryson was able to blast into the empty net from six yards out to make it 2-0.

Wilson blocked an effort from Hughes. The corner was clattered away by Solly. Green put in an excellent cross but Kermorgant’s header was over.

Wright-Phillips was replaced by Fuller and Hollands was replaced by Kerkar. Fuller was ruled offside while Kerkar was onside. Stephens got a yellow card for a foul.

Green leant in on Ward and the referee theatrically pointed to the spot for a soft penalty. Hamer got a finger to the ball but Ward made it 3-0. After another back pass, Ward had a chance to make it 4-0, but Hamer was just able to scramble it clear.

Charlton won a corner, it was headed away but Danny Green put in a stormer from over 30 yards out to make it 3-1. Hamer saved from Ward. Kermorgant was fouled and the Addicks won a free kick, but it ended in a throw in. Danny Green turned provider for Kermorgant to make it 3-2.

Referee Phillips booked Bryson for time wasting. Green advanced well, getting past two Derby players, but the Addicks were not able to capitalise. O’Connor felled Kermorgant and was shown the yellow card. Buxton came on immediately to replace him. The free kick was unproductive.

Charlton applied more pressure, but eventually Derby got a goal kick. Hughes was replaced by Robinson.

Derby got a corner on the insistence of the assistant referee. The Rams took it into the corner, but lost possession. Five minutes were added on. Danny Green won a corner for Charlton. Hamer came forward, it was cleared off the goalline from Jackson. Morrison got a yellow card.

A third defeat in a row for Charlton, but a spirited fight back.