Charlton make hard work of it

Charlton beat Peterborough 2-0 at The Valley last night to take thirteen points out of fifteen and go thirteenth in the table. However, they made hard work of it with a particularly lacklustre first half. There's no doubt that we rode our luck, but then there have been other games when we have been unlucky. Once again the midfield seemed to be awol or at least outpaced and we were often generally too slow and hesitant in our reactions. One of the negatives to come out of the match was that Morrison and got a fifth yellow card, earning a suspension.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the arrival of the Bloke Beside Me, Paul from Bexleyheath. Having flown in from Zurich, he landed at just before 7.05 p.m. and he was in his seat half an hour later to enjoy the spectacle.

Yann Kermorgant drew a save from distance early in the match, leading to an unproductive Charlton corner. Following a corner for the visitors, Ricardo Fuller won a free kick, but the referee did not give them every time he was fouled.

A Charlton corner taken by Jackson led to a second, but the ball went over the bar. Hamer had to make a fingertip save. A Charlton corner taken by Jackson was poor. Jackson had a great chance to score after a good cross came in, but he put the ball over.

A Peterborough free kick was well worked, but after some subsequent play Hamer was eventually able to save. Morrison received his yellow card. The visitors were getting some free kicks in promising positions and following one near the corner flag Hamer had to punch the ball out and then save it from subsequent play. Hamer had to make one more save before the half came to an end and some of the boo boys exercised their lungs.

Half time: Addicks 0, Posh 0

Chris Solly put in a good cross and Kermorgant just missed the target. Solly put in another cross and Pritchard hit the outside of the post. Peterborough were winning some corners and taking them short which we did not seem to deal with very well. Ricardo Fuller won a free kick, but Kermorgant put the ball over.

Frimpong was taken off and Danny Green came on. Fuller put in what looked like a hopeful shot from distance, damaging his hamstring in the process, but the ball soared over the keeper into the roof of the net. After what looked like a potentially disastrous 'after you', Kermorgant scored to make it 2-0. To their credit Peterborough did not give up, but we will able to contain them.

Some doubts have been expressed about the attendance figure of 17,377 and certainly the jackpot draw prize was low and I was able to get to the station with greater ease than usual. However, remember that season ticket holders are counted whether they are there or not.

Match analysis

Ivy the Terrible has added to the collection of Silver Bones held by Ben Hamer. He made some excellent saves which kept us in the game. Morrison had another good game apart from the yellow card. Cort was generally solid, but sometimes his headers are a bit directionless or lack sufficient power. Solly shone again. Seaborne put in a decent shift without being particularly outstanding. Frimpong did not have as good a game as on Saturday. Kerkar showed some nice touches but was not at his best. Opinions differ about Jackson but I thought that he was often too slow. Pritchard was not comfortable playing on the right and got hacked off the park. Fuller did what as asked of a forward, even if he was a little too greedy sometimes. Kermorgant also did what was required and got warm applause when he was substituted, shame that his free kick was not up to his usual high standard. Green was much more effective than on Saturday when he came on. Hulse contributed very well when he came on. Jonsson had a cameo to please Olafur Johansson listening in Grindavik.

Juneau the Soccer Cat has awarded the Hiss of the Match to the Bloke Behind Me. A game like this brings out the worse in him on the lines of 'if I can see it, why can't they see it.