10 man Charlton go down to 1-0 defeat

Moussa and Ahearn-Grant were up front for the Addicks at the Madejski against Reading this afternoon. Nick Pope remained in goal, but Henderson was on the bench, suggesting that his return from injury was near. Johnnie Jackson started as many fans had hoped.

After Cousins lost possession, Pope had to make a good save at the expense of a corner. Reading came back in again, after Charlton had played themselves into trouble, but their shot was high and wide.

The gloved Bergdich did not look too comfortable as stand in left back, but Moussa was lively.

Gudmundsson lost possession and made a heavy challenge. The Reading players surrounded the vertically challenged referee, Rob Lewis from Shropshire, calling for a red card, but he simply got a lecture.

Solly did well to cut danger out. Charlton had a spell of possession with Reading pulling everyone behind the ball. Eventually, with no target man, the ball went out of play.

The Addicks were playing some nice football, but when Charlton had possession, the front two needed to show a little more movement, especially Ahearne-Grant.

Diarra had to clear the ball as Reading threatened just after the half hour mark. Reading won a corner as a consolation prize after they appealed for a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Diarra won the header.

Reading were applying more pressure, but Bauer cleared, as the subdued home crowd suddenly became animated. Reading won another corner and kept up the pressure. They won another corner. Jackson headed the ball clear and the referee awarded a goal kick to a sarcastic cheer from the Addickted.

Gudmundsson drew the first save of the game from Al Habai which stretched him but did not really trouble him.

The shot statistics didn’t look good, but at least Charlton did not concede an early goal. The first half had been largely a midfield battle. The Addicks disappointed in the final third.

HT: Royals 0, Addicks 0

Reading looked dangerous early on and Bauer defended well. A poor decision gave the home side a free kick. Bauer got a yellow card fior a foul.

A shot from Hector took a deflection leading to a Reading corner. The defence was a little bit casual. McAleny had to head clear in subsequent play.

Moussa was taken off and Watt was brought on. Moussa had done well, but it was his first start.

A counter attack from Reading almost caught Charlton out, but Tshibola put the ball wide.

Gudmundsson came off limping a little bit and Fox came on, allowing Bergdich to go further forward.

Charlton won a corner after a great goal kick by Pope. Bergdich was shown a yellow card for alleged time wasting. The ball in from Bergdich was decent, but Bauer was not able to make a good contact.

Blackman looked as if he had dived and Bauer got a second yellow and was sent off. Reading had a free kick on the edge of the box in the middle of the ‘D’. The ball went over the bar. Jackson was taken off and Ba came into midfield. Fox had moved to centre half. Reading also made a double substitution.

Reading were upping the tempo. Blackman ran in unmarked, got a free header and it was 1-0 on 75 minutes to the disappointment of the 1,173 Charlton fans in a crowd of 17,614.

Charlton tried hard to get back into the game, but no avail. The Addicks are down to 20th. A big relegation league match on Tuesday.