Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Hartlepool v Charlton Athletic (29/10/2011)

Hartlepool 0 Charlton 4 (Wright-Phillips 9,37, Hollands 55, Wagstaff 84).

Charlton fans are really beginning to warm to the cut of Chris Powell’s managerial jib. He comes across as balanced and mature, exactly the qualities that stood him in good stead during a lengthy, distinguished playing career.

Powell’s measured reaction to recent defeat at Stevenage was revealing. Not for him the sour ugliness of Neil Warnock, the strawberry-veined ranting of Alex Ferguson or the quasi-psychological superiority of Arsene Wenger. Instead, his thunderous brow spoke of a determination to look within himself and his players for its cause and to avoid the easy option of blaming officials. There’s no doubt he’s a gentleman but he’s also a complete professional with an aversion to losing but also an ability to maintain perspective in an otherwise triumphant campaign. Simply stated, he has his head screwed on.

There was little chance of the Addicks suffering their second loss of the season at chilly Victoria Park, where Hartlepool United were comprehensively beaten. A quickfire double from the insatiable Bradley Wright-Phillips placed United squarely behind the eight-ball, a daunting position from which they were never likely to recover.

Currently hotter than a pistol, Wright-Phillips has rattled in twelve goals in fifteen league starts, the last five of them notched in his last three games. An instinctive awareness of space carries him into the right place at invariably the right time, while uninhibited finishing does the rest. An occasional touch of luck also comes in handy, as was the case when Charlton’s sureshot opened his account after nine minutes.

The build-up was smooth enough, Yann Kermorgant’s chipped pass playing Rhoys Wiggins in behind outwitted right back Neil Austin. The rampaging Wiggins drilled over a low cross for Wright-Phillips to bobble a first-time shot which deceived Scott Flinders on its bouncing way into the bottom right corner.

With strapping centre backs Matt Taylor and Michael Morrison in commanding form, Danny Hollands bossing midfield and fullbacks Wiggins and Chris Solly their usual dependable selves, ‘Pools prospects were already bleak. Adam Boyd did force a fine save from Ben Hamer but it came as little surprise that Wright-Phillips doubled his account and his side’s lead before the break.

The irresistible left-sided partnership forged between Wiggins and Johnnie Jackson did the spadwork this time, their sharp exchange of passes sending Wiggins rampaging to the left byline. His clipped cross was hooked into the roof of the net, with practised ease, by Wright-Phillips, making simple work of what was actually a difficult skill.

From time to time this season, Charlton have wobbled in possession of a two-goal lead, most recently while working out an awkward midweek win over Wycombe Wanderers. A tendency to sit back on their advantage and invite the opposition on to them has encouraged apparently beaten sides to stage unlikely rallies. It seems the thoughtful Powell has addressed the problem because there was to be no miracle revival for the outclassed ‘Pools who found themselves adrift at three down shortly after resumption.

Kermorgant had been regularly targeted for rough stuff by United’s outgunned defenders. Five minutes into the second period, his quick turn eluded Peter Hartley, who responded by chopping down the Breton striker a yard outside the penalty area to the right of goal. Hartley’s inevitable yellow card was only part of his punishment because Jackson’s wickedly inswinging free kick was bulleted home by the onrushing Hollands from five yards. There’s no better way to defend a two-goal lead than by making it three.

As the Addicks relaxed, Wright-Phillips came within a whisker of claiming his first-ever senior hat-trick but failed to toe-end Jackson’s low centre past Flinders. At the other end, meanwhile, Taylor demonstrated Charlton’s professional ruthlessness by heroically blocking James Poole’s point-blank shot. Much earlier, Hollands had set the example with a ferocious, but eminently fair tackle on Andy Monkhouse.

There was still time for a final flourish provided by late substitutes Scott Wagstaff and Paul Hayes. Wagstaff had replaced the enigmatic Danny Green, a rare disappointment in the visitors’ solid team performance but a player with so much to offer. Pulling back in anticipation of an alertly cutback pass from Hayes, the indefatigable winger crisply drove home the Addicks’ fourth goal.

So the Stevenage blip, though still a sore point, has been answered by three successive victories within eight days. It’s still early days – a fact of which nobody is more aware than one of League One’s up-and-coming managers – but Charlton are the real deal. There’s more to them than mere style. They’re a hardbitten lot, very much cut from their guvnor’s mould. He won’t mind us saying so.

Stevenage: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Murray, Poole, Liddle (Luscombe 55), Monkhouse, Nish, Boyd (Brown 55). Not used: Rafferty, Humphreys, Wright.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins, Green (Wagstaff 69), Hollands (Euell 86), Hughes, Jackson, Kermorgant (Hayes 81), Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Cort.

Referee: D. Mohareb. Attendance: 5,333.

Daily Photo: 28/10/2011 – By next summer…

… you should be able to cross this spot of the river using the Emirates Air Line cable car. Thanks to Gordon Coster for the photo he took a few weeks ago.

Council apologises over foot tunnel refurb delays

Councillors were met with protestors at last night’s full council meeting

GREENWICH COUNCIL has said sorry to cyclists and pedestrians for the ongoing problems resulting from the refurbishment of the foot tunnels at Greenwich and Woolwich.

Speaking at last night’s full council meeting, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Denise Hyland, offered “complete apologies” after being questioned from the public gallery by Antony Austin, chair of Greenwich Cyclists.

Hyland said the refurbishment of the hundred-year-old tunnels was a “heritage project”, adding:

“We have had decisions to make where hidden structures have been uncovered and further work has been necessary.

“We have put pressure on our contractors and worked with them in positive partnership to bring a swift resolution.”

The refurbishment of the foot tunnels, paid for with a grant from central government, was due  to be completed by Spring 2011, but is not now expected to be finished until early in 2012.

Protestors make voices heard at meeting

The meeting itself was the first full council meeting for three months and councillors entering the front entrance were met by a group of protestors with a mixed bag of grievances: parents and kids angry about the proposed closure of Blackheath Bluecoat school, volunteers protesting about cuts to the Greenwich Law Centre and trade unionists opposing cuts to services.

A packed public gallery watched on as the meeting was squeezed into an hour long sitting, with councillors due at another meeting in the Greenwich Gallery, on top of the Woolwich Centre, by 7.30pm.

As councillors crossed the road from the Town Hall to the Woolwich centre, they were met by a highly vocal group of children from Blackheath Bluecoat school, chanting “save our school.”

The reception in the Greenwich Gallery saw former Conservative group leader Peter King awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Greenwich. Peter King was a councillor from 1978 until standing down before last year’s elections. He served at various times as both the leader of the group and the deputy leader.

Video, taken by local journalist Darryl Chamberlain, of councillors crossing from the Town Hall to the Woolwich Centre

Kids chanting “save our school” gathered at the steps of the Woolwich Centre as councillors attended a reception in the top floor “Greenwich Gallery”

Daily Photo: 26/10/2011 – The Woolwich Centre’s Gallery

I was kindly sent this photo by someone who recently visited the Gallery – the large new space on top the Woolwich Centre. The room offers great views of the Town Hall opposite and the wider area.

A special meeting in the Gallery tonight will see the former leader of Greenwich Conservatives, Peter King, given the Freedom of the Borough of Greenwich.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Wycombe Wanderers v Charlton Athletic (25/10/2011)

Wycombe Wanderers 1 (Beavon 63 Charlton 2 (Wright-Phillips 6,41).

Treading the finest of lines again, Charlton completed the third leg of their Home Counties odyssey with a bitterly earned victory over dogged Wycombe Wanderers.

Before Tuesday’s vital win, the Addicks hadn’t fared too well in the leafy shires. A creditable 1-1 draw with MK Dons was followed by the disappointing surrender of their unbeaten league record at Stevenage. But with results elsewhere favouring them, they put daylight between themselves and their pursuers at the top of League One. All in all, it was a satisfactory, if harrowing, night’s work.

In the cold light of day, however, the perfectionist in Chris Powell will focus as much on the flaws in his side’s performance as on its undeniable merits. At half-time, Charlton were full value for their 2-0 lead after dominating their outplayed hosts and seemingly on course for a win as comprehensive as their effortless dismissal of Carlisle three days previously. During an increasingly torrid second half, however, their superiority began to fray to the point where the addition of four extra minutes arrived as an intolerable burden. They crawled over the line but that’s what champions do sometimes.

There were only six minutes on the clock when Bradley Wright-Phillips (who else?) fired the visitors in front. His part in the goal might have been negligible but his instinct for being in the right place at the right time is an art in itself. A superbly flighted pass from old pro Andy Hughes sent Rhoys Wiggins marauding clear of right back Danny Foster to cross on the run but slightly behind Yann Kermorgant. The Breton’s enterprising overhead effort hit the right post, before bouncing back to the predatory Wright-Phillips, whose finish past Nikki Bull was clinical.

Neat and constructive, meanwhile, Wycombe kept their nerve. A fine strike from Stuart Lewis skimmed the bar before Ben Strevens shot accurately but too close to Ben Hamer. The Chairboys were still in touch until Wright-Phillips’ second goal knocked the wind out of their sails.

Set up by a magnificently judged pass from Danny Hollands, Wright-Phillips stole a key yard off his outmanouevred marker Dave Winfield, stumbled under the impact of the centre back’s desperate challenge but recovered to drill a crisp low drive in off the left post. Ten goals in only fourteen starts this season is the return of a top notch marksman.

It was too easy to be true but reality bit after the break, The dominant visitors were served warning by tricky wide man Kadeem Harris. whose rising drive was nimbly turned over the bar by Hamer. Wanderers sniffed a switch in momentum, their growing confidence bolstered by Hamer’s sudden nervousness in handling a couple of high balls. Midway through the second period, they deservedly reduced their arrears.

In Stuart Beavon, Wycombe have an in-form forward of their own. Scorer of seven of his side’s fourteen league goals, he made it eight from fifiteen games by resolving an untidy goalmouth mess, during which Harris shot cannoned off Hamer’s chest, with a no-nonsense close range shot.

Their comfortable ride no more than a memory now, the Addicks lived on their nerves as Strevens cut in from the left to curl a fine crosshot wide of the far post. Matt Taylor’s miscued header which conceded an unnecessary corner was a sign that the times they were a-changin’ but when they were asked to dig in, Powell’s men answered the call. Centre backs Taylor and Michael Morrison headed ball after ball clear as the Chairboys adapted their ground-based tactics to include a steady barrage of high balls; full backs Wiggins and Chris Solly provided further evidence that their partnership is unsurpassed in the division. In front of them, Hollands superbly organised the first line of resistance, with the staunchness of Hughes at his elbow. Though Wanderers pressed relentlessly, they produced few chances.

When you’re top of the league, as Charlton’s marvellously vocal support reminded the locals they are, you find ways to win. And bloodymindedness has its place alongside elegance. There’s more than one way to skin a Wanderer.

Wycombe (4-5-1): Bull, Foster, Johnson, Winfield, Basey, Harris, Bloomfield (Ibe 87), Strevens (Ainsworth 82), Lewis, Grant (Bignall 65), Beavon. Not used: Tunnicliffe, McCoy.

Charlton (4-4-2): Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Hughes, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Wagstaff 85). Not used: Sullivan, Hayes, Euell, Cort.

Referee: Andy D’Urso. Attendance: 5,406.

Platform: Save the Meantime Nursery

Greenwich is facing the loss of an extraordinary and unique community resource – and yet virtually no one appears to know of its existence or of the threat to its existence.

Occupying two acres of former industrial land on the Greenwich peninsula is the Meantime Nursery. An offshoot of the wonderful (and much better-known) Greenwich Ecology Park, it features insect hotels, vertical gardens, living willow fencing and a series of raised nursery beds containing experimental turf seeded with wildflowers, aquatic plants and more.

Created by volunteers and opened with a little fanfare only in Spring 2011 (yes, 2011), it is now threatened with closure. The threat looming over it is that the land is to be turned over to a Dutch company to create a ‘glamping’ attraction (glamorous camping, with beds, wardrobes, internet and mood lighting), decked out in lurid orange, for mostly Dutch tourists, and planned to be operational in time for the Olympics and a tall ships sail-past next year.

The Meantime Nursery, just a few months ago, was being hailed as a wonderful new local resource for conservation and biodiversity, benefiting community groups and local schools. It would be an educational resource, help to cut carbon and host food-growing projects. At the time of the nursery’s opening, attended by a government minister, the landowner, the Homes and Communities Agency, said: “This is a really fantastic project and we are proud to be involved. As well as providing the land rent-free we have undertaken the essential enabling works on site to ensure that this land can be put to good use immediately.”

So what has changed? How and why did the HCA’s proud commitment to this project evaporate? It is time local people realised that this wonderful site is under their noses, time that it was publicised and opened up to the public more widely, and time that the community demands answers from the HCA and from Greenwich Council. An application for the ‘glamping’ site to have a licence for alcohol and music has run into trouble, so there may yet be time and opportunity to mobilise to save the Meantime Nursery.

I was lucky enough recently to get access to the site. I hope the photographs here will give a sense of what we face losing in the name of a profit-seeking, temporary, tourist jamboree.

Gavin McGregor lives in east Greenwich and is a member of the East Greenwich Pleasaunce orchard care group, a keen forager and a frustrated balcony veg-grower.

Would you like to have your say about a local issue? To contribute a ‘Platform’ article, email rob@greenwich.co.uk.

Boundary Commission begins south London public hearings

BOUNDARY review public hearings got under way today to examine the fate of south London’s parliamentary constituencies.

The Boundary Commission for England has been tasked with drawing up a new constituency map, reducing the number of MPs in England from 533 to 502.

Initial proposals published last month would see the town of Greenwich having two different MPs.

The Greenwich West council ward would become part of a new Deptford & Greenwich constituency while east Greenwich’s Peninsula ward would become part of a new constituency simply called Woolwich.

Parliamentary constituencies are put together by grouping council wards, and under the new review, every constituency should represent a number of registered electors btetween 72,810 and 80,473.

Current MP Nick Raynsford addressed the hearings today, taking place at Lewisham Town Hall, and outlined his own alternative proposal.

Raynsford suggests that the Greenwich & Woolwich constituency be maintained, with the addition of the Kidbrooke & Hornfair ward, and also Lewisham’s Blackheath ward. He proposes that Glyndon ward at the very east be moved into a different constituency.

Other political representatives and members of the public are expected to put forward their responses at the hearings which will conclude tomorrow.

Nick Raynsford’s proposal was also submitted in writing to the Boundary Commission and can be seen in full below:

Boundary Commission

You can also have your say via the Commissions website – submissions will be accepted until 5th December.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton Athletic v Carlisle United (22/10/2011)

Charlton 4 (Kermorgant 13, 37, Wright-Phillips 21, Hollands 48) Carlisle United 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

It’s a long, weary road from London back to Carlisle after you’ve been outclassed 4-0. You’re entitled to wonder whether, in the nagging words of the World War II poster, “your journey was really necessary.” And it only adds to the misery to reflect that your performance included a player sent off, a penalty missed and a goalkeeping catastrophe of heroic proportions. So let’s be kind to the Cumbrians.

Just 12 miles short of Scotland, United plough a lonely furrow as the solitary league representative of their remote county. For evidence of just how lonely it is look no further than the bleak reality that their local derby passion is directed at…Workington. That’s hardly a clash to make emotional wrecks of their fans. In fact, it’s a clash that hardly ever happens.

The Blues have endured dramatic highs and soul-destroying lows recently. Relegated to the Conference following the 2003-04 season, they made an immediate return to the Football League in 2004-05 by way of a play-off victory at the Brittania Stadium. Having restored the natural order, they drove a coach-and-four through League Two in 2005-06 and are back where they belong again.

League One is not where Charlton consider THEY belong. Their pedigree comprises numerous seasons in the top echelon of English football, punctuated by years of waiting in the old Second Division, now all gussied up as The Championship. The Addicks don’t regard themselves as Third Division material, except, of course, that’s where they find themselves right now.

During a blistering first half, the new side assembled by almost as new manager Chris Powell served notice that they are deadly serious about tearing themselves clear of what frankly is a depressing division. Beaten for the first time last week by Stoneage Stevenage, they took out their irritation on poor old Carlisle. In little over a half hour, they chewed up and spat out their bewildered visitors, scored three excellent goals and, for once, spared another marvellous Valley crowd their usual ordeal of nerve-jangling worry on the way to victory.

With new dad Dale Stephens’ compassionate absence admirably covered by Andy Hughes and Chris Solly resuming at right back, Powell’s decision to continue with Yann Kermorgant up front was handsomely vindicated by the Frenchman’s bravura performance.

Scorer of two goals as what is popularly called an “impact sub”, Kermorgant had struggled to make an impression in a couple of starts. His difficulties were put behind him by two outstanding strikes, the first of them finishing off a fluent move launched by an artfully lobbed pass from Johnnie Jackson and continued by Rhoys Wiggins’ deliciously volleyed cross from the left. Kermorgant’s firm header did the rest.

Eight minutes later, fast improving goalkeeper Ben Hamer earned himself an assist with a deliberately arrowed clearance which panicked United right back James Tavernier into a hopelessly underpowered header back to stranded keeper Adam Collin. Greased lightning in such situations, Bradley Wright-Phillips accelerated smoothly, beat Collin to the ball and rolled it precisely home from an acute angle.

The North Easterners were all at sea and easy prey for the rampaging Wiggins, who left Tavernier in his wake as he marauded along the left byline before picking out Wright-Phillips with an astute cutback. Charlton’s razor sharp striker was twice foiled by desperate blocks from Peter Murphy but Kermorgant tidied up the mess with a rising drive off the underside of the bar.

United’s discomfiture intensified with the pre-interval dismissal of Matt Robson. Deservedly booked for a earlier foul on Danny Green, no doubt a consequence of Green’s effortless mastery of the left back, Robson’s trip on Wright-Phillips lacked malice but left erratic referee Sheldrake no wriggle room in applying the letter of the law. Carlisle’s wretched afternoon was degenerating fast but their humiliation was not quite over yet.

Shortly after resumption, Danny Hollands carried the ball over the halfway line, proceeded without challenge into shooting range and tried his luck from over 25 yards. His shot was firm enough but was no more than routine business for Collin to collect. A glaring sun was complicating life but could hardly be cited in his defence because Hollands’ optimistic slipped through his legs.

The only possible consolation for the stricken keeperwas that a fourth goal had by then become academic. The same comfort could be extended to James Berrett, who spurned the chance to reduce United’s arrears from the spot after Wiggins was harshly adjudged to have handled Tavernier’s cross. Hamer protected his clean sheet by brilliantly saving James Berrett’s firmly struck penalty. It’s best to miss penalties when they have little effect on the outcome, just as it’s easier to accept grotesque decisions such as the one later made by Mr. Sheldrake, who appeared oblivious to the obvious handling of Wiggins’ goalbound drive by Danny Livesey. You only get so many penalties per season. You don’t want to waste one with the score already 4-0.

A club without any apparent unpleasantness to them, Carlisle duly embarked on their punchdrunk journey to the far reaches of the northwest, with the prospect that, on St. Patrick’s Day, there awaits them an even more gruelling assignment at Bournemouth. Anyway, a club which boasts among their season ticket holders no less a luminary as Coronation Street’s Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebdon) has much to recommend it. Gratuitously- and with no justification other than a desire to share his riches – we offer in appreciation one of his better bon mots: “Yorkshire Moors? Fresh air? It didn’t do the Bronte sisters much good. They were all dead by the time they were 40!” Harsh, admittedly, but fair, which accurately describes the treatment received by the Cumbrians in the cheerfully polluted air of South London.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green (Wagstaff 69), Hollands (Euell 72), Hughes, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Hayes 76). Not used: Sullivan, Cort.

Carlisle: Collin, Tavernier, Livesey, Murphy, Robson (sent off), Berrett, McGovern, Taiwo, Loy (Curran 76), Noble (Michalik 46), Miller (Zoko 76). Not used: Gillespie, Helan.

Referee: Darren Sheldrake. Attendance: 16,741.

Daily Photo: 21/10/2011 – Thames Barrier

This morning I met up with regular Daily Photo contributor, photographer Tim Keeler. After a chat over tea at the Thames Barrier’s View Cafe, I got my own camera out to take advantage of the glorious blue skies over head.

Click here for more photos

Olympic transport plans unveiled by London 2012 organisers

LONDON 2012 organisers have unveiled a raft of measures to help Greenwich’s local transport network cope with the thousands of visitors expected for next summer’s Olympics.

Chief among the proposals, which went on display today and can be viewed by residents until Saturday, are road closures and an enlarged one way system around the town centre throughout the Olympics.

Greenwich Church Street will be closed to traffic, as will Straightsmouth at peak times and Greenwich High Road towards the town centre from the junction of Norman Road, as these become designated pedestrian routes from Greenwich railway station.

Marshals will guide the throngs of spectators along these routes and then down College Approach and through the Old Royal Naval College where they will then access Greenwich Park by crossing two new temporary footbridges across Romney Road.

Locog’s City Operations Manager, Jennifer Impett said of the proposed footbridges:

“We want to maintain the vehicle route as much as we can. The one way gyratory will be adding some pressure within the area so we need to maintain free flowing traffic as much as we can.”

A bridge is also proposed to get spectators arriving via Blackheath station across the A2 from the heath to Greenwich Park.

Drivers heading into Greenwich from Greenwich High Road will have to turn left at the Norman Road junction, before turning into Creek Road and then joining the existing one way system.

Organisers say that Cutty Sark DLR station will have to close during peak hours as it doesn’t have the capacity to deal with the volume of spectators.

Olympic ticket-holders tempted to try and park in Greenwich will find that hours have been extended in all Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ).

Areas within a 30 minute walking radius of the park which aren’t currently in a CPZ will have new temporary controls put in place to deter spectators planning to drive in, and residents and businesses will be issued with special Olympic parking permits.

Other key proposals include:

• Closing Charlton Way and The Avenue/Blackheath Avenue from 7 July-8 September.
• Closing the Lewisham-bound DLR platform at Greenwich train station, with passengers asked to join services Deptford Bridge instead.
• Using the Blackwall Tunnel, the A2 and Prince Charles Road, Maze Hill Road, Park Vista and Park Row as Olympic Road Network routes for transporting athletes and the “Olympic family”.
• Setting aside 100 car parking spaces for Blue Badge holders.
• Establishing “park and ride” areas around Blackheath so spectators can be coached in from Bluewater and Lakeside.

The proposals, along with more planning documents, will soon be submitted to Greenwich Council as London 2012 organisers attempt to meet the conditions of its original planning application.

Clues as to the kind of stunning images viewers at home can expect were hinted at with maps showing the construction of a mile-long cable to carry a TV camera from Millwall Park high over the Thames, swooping across the Old Royal Naval College and equestrian arena in Greenwich Park before finishing near the General Wolfe statue.

London 2012 Venue General Manager for Greenwich Park, Jeremy Edwards, commented:  ”We’re trying to do everything we can to make sure the experience next year is one of the most memorable for the people of Greenwich and the spectators.”

Remaining London 2012 Transport Drop In Sessions
Friday: 09.00 – 18.00
Saturday: 09.00 – 17.00
Devonport House, King William Walk, Greenwich

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