Back to back losses at home

 On a warm day at The Valley Mason Burstow replaced Conor Washington leading to complaints from some fans.

Charlton dominated the early exchanges with Blackett-Taylor prominent.   There were opportunities and Gilbey went close from a Blackett-Taylor cross.  Morgan squandered one by not passing to Blacket-Taylor but putting in a poor shot It was 14 minutes before the Shrimpers had a wild shot on goal.

It was a classic case of Charlton starting the game very well and then losing control.

Macca had to save from danger man Stockton after he was one on one with Pearce a long way up the pitch.   Morecambe were getting into the game more with the Charlton wing backs high up the pitch.

Macca had to touch the ball wide for a corner.    There was too wide a gap between Matthews and Clare and the Shrimpers were starting to pick holes in the Charlton defence.

Stockton, the top scorer in the lead, gave Morecambe the lead after 25 minutes, the ball going in off the post.  There was a failure to track players.

An Albie Morgan shot was saved comfortably.   A Burstow shot went over the bar.

Charlton had a period of pressure with good possession, but Morecambe were able to defend.  A free kick won by Morgan led to a Charlton corner, but nothing more.  Stockley was disappointed with a ball from Morgan.

Clare conceded a free kick for handball.  Famewo did well to clear.

Morecambe went 2-0 ahead with a tidy ball from the edge of the penalty area through a crowd of bodies after there was panic in the back.

Famewo had to concede a corner after some casual play in midfield.   Stockley headed the corner away.

Charlton won a corner, a good effort from Stockley was saved well and the striker's follow up went wide.

Curbs said we had balls flashing across the six yard box.  He had thought they were for the taking, we got in some good positions. Their first goal was really good.  The second goal was avoidable, it should have been cleared.  For the second goal we had four chances to make a challenge and we didn't make any of them.   There were four players around the ball, but none of them took control.  You couldn't take your foot off the pedal, you had to be at it all the time.

HT: 0-2

Good work by Burstow led to a Charlton corner, but it ended in a goal kick.   The ball in from Morgan was not right for Stockley.

After patient build up play by Blackett-Taylor and a great cross the header was won by Burstow and Stockley converted to make it 1-2.

After a Gilbey cross, Blackett-Taylor hit the side netting.

Charlton conceded a corner.   It was taken short and ended in a throw in for the visitors.

A poor throw was intercepted by Gibson and the visitors made it 1-3 to the delight of the Morecambe massive.  Matthews was slow to react and Clare could perhaps have got a bit closer. It was another lapse in concentration. Gilbey was replaced by Washington in response.   It looked like a 3-4-3.

Macca had to come out to ensure that Stockton didn't score.  An effort by Connolly ended on the roof of the net.

Forster-Caskey came on in place of Morgan to provide more midfield quality.

Famewo was brought down by Phillips.   The free kick went past everybody.

Pearce took one for the team and received a yellow card for taking out Stockton.  Burstow was replaced by Aneke.   Arguably Burstow had not been fed enough.  Cooney replaced Gibson for Morecambe.

Clare gave away an unnecessary corner.   Dobson was brought down in the penalty area, but the referee waved it away.

Blackett-Taylor was once again outstanding on the left and his cross enabled Aneke to score with an outstanding header to make it 2-3.

Morecambe made a double substitution and were able to waste some time.   Five minutes were added on.  Dobson made a great turn but his shot went over the bar.

Once again we started a game well, the opposition get a chance and take the lead.  We started the second half brightly and then conceded again.  Pressure at the end of the game did not bring a reward and it was back to back defeats at home.

The pundits

Curbs pointed out that you can't concede three goals at home.  Bradley Allen thought we were worthy of a draw.  Curbs said that Corey had been a revelation at left wing-back.

Bradley Allen said that the changes gave Charlton a lift.   Curbs said that the defender had come across and taken Dobson for the penalty shout.   Bradley Allen thought that the defender did not get a faint touch on the ball.  Curbs said that the reason we were not in the top half of the table was because we had three strikers out.   To concede three goals to a team towards the bottom of the table was hard to take.  

Bradley Allen praised Blackett-Taylor as a young player that showed real promise.   Curbs said people were having to double up on him.  He had to work on his defensive side as he had not played wing back before.

Curbs said it was one step forward and one step back again.  It was interesting to see what Jacko would do now he had three strikers back.  

Charlton had 23 attempts on goal, but just four on target, the same as Morecambe.  Charlton remain 15th, Tuesday's opponents Cambridge United are 14th.

Jacko said: 'It was a frustrating game, end to end, a lot of chances, too many for the opposition.  They were clinical when they did get the opportunities.  I was disappointed with the goals, we gave them the third goal, it deflated us, took us a bit to get going again.  We had a little period in the first half when we lost our concentration and they exploited it.  Corey was outstanding in the second period.  Good to have the big man (Chuks) back.  In the second half the boys gave it everything.