Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Yeovil Town v Charlton Athletic (26/12/2011)

Yeovil Town 2 (Obika 8, Huntington 50) Charlton 3 (Hollands 16, Kermorgant 60, Green 90).

Kevin Nolan reports from Huish Park.

It was a tediously long time coming but Danny Green’s first ever goal for Charlton, when it finally arrived, was not only worth the wait but had the extra virtue of exquisite timing. For it was in the first of four added minutes that the winger struck a low drive across goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin, which found the net off the far post. His exuberant celebrations in front of over 900 Boxing Day pilgrims from South East London were just a little rueful because an earlier booking – his fifth of the season – means he will miss the short New Years Eve trip to Leyton Orient due to suspension. He won’t be striking again while the iron is hot.

Charlton’s delight at Green’s late winner was promptly enhanced as news filtered through that their nearest pursuers Sheffield Wednesday had themselves succumbed to two added time goals at Walsall. The combination of results sent shock waves reverberating through League One and left the Addicks eight points clear at the top.

When the dust settles over this eventful game, however, Chris Powell might have mixed feelings about its fluctuating nature. His side made hard work of beating lowly Yeovil, falling behind twice before their superior pedigree asserted itself; the successful outcome will be rightly savoured but the overall performance will come under more critical scrutiny.

Though never completely satisfied, the manager was no doubt impressed by his side’s confident start, during which Green’s positive run deserved better than an off-target shot into the sidenet. Having settled down quickly, the visitors were shocked out of their complacency by the Glovers’ opening goal.

A needless foul by Matt Taylor on Gavin Williams gave setpiece specialist Max Ehmer the ideal angle for a dangerously swerving free kick, which Yann Kermorgant inadvertently diverted behind sharp striker Jon Obika, who improvised a clever overhead effort. Undecided whether to leave his line, Ben Hamer was caught in no-mans land as the speculative shot sailed over his head.

As if affronted by the setback, Charlton wasted little time in equalising. A left wing corner, earned by Danny Hollands’ long throw, was swung in by Green to leave Hollands the simple task of heading in at the far post. They should have forged in front shortly thereafter but Michael Morrison headed Green’s delicious cross well wide. At the other end, Morrison misjudged Paul Wotton’s lofted pass to allow Obika through but the advancing Hamer did enough to distract the forward, who flicked wide of the right post.

An untidy first half stint had done nothing for Powell’s peace of mind but worse was to follow five minutes after resumption as Town forged ahead again. The goal was simplicity itself as centre back Paul Huntington was completely unhindered in heading Edward Upson’s corner past Hamer. It seemed that Charlton were going out of their way to lose but, gamely, they rallied again.

While Bradley Wright-Phillips has encountered a hopefully brief scoring slump, his strike partner Yann Kermorgant has admirably picked up the slack in recent games. The Breton was chopped down by Bondz N’Gala and fitted the big centre back’s punishment to his crime by bending a superb 25-yard free kick into the top left corner.

The pressure on the stricken home side was immediate as the visitors sought an important winner. They almost managed it as Rhoys Wiggins’ deep cross was expertly volleyed back from the far post by Green and Morrison’s point blank effort was brilliantly clawed off the line by Gilmartin. The outstanding young keeper also distinguished himself with an impressively agile adjustment of his feet to fingertip a clever chip from Hogan Ephraim over the bar.

It was all Charlton in the closing stages although Wiggins was reduced to blatantly hauling down Blizzard as Charlton’s bete noire broke clear from his own half ( the Addicks have bitter memories of a dreadful foul by Blizzard, while a Bristol Rovers player two years ago, which had unpleasant repercussions on the unfortunate victim Grant Basey’s subsequent career). In effect, Wiggins took a booking for his team which, while deplored by purists, is grist for the mill among pragmatists.

It was in the aftermath of Wiggins’ self sacrifice that Green stepped forward to collar the plaudits. That’s not to ignore the wonderful save later made by Hamer from Andrew Williams’ delicately flighted chip but it was Green’s day.

Yeovil (4-4-2): Gilmartin, Ayling, N’Gala, Huntington, Ehmer, Andrew Williams, Blizzard, Wotton, Upson, Gavin Williams, (O’Brien 76), Obika. Not used: MacLean, Massey, Stewart, Clifford.

Charlton (4-4-2): Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Russell, Ephraim (Cort 90), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Hughes 89). Not used: Hayes, Sullivan, Euell.

Referee: Brendan Malone.

St Alfege Park Friends hope for reprieve

THE FRIENDS of St Alfege Park have decided to go into hibernation in the hope of one day being allowed to return.

The decision was taken in a ballot of members at a Special General Meeting earlier this month at St Alfege Church Hall.

The meeting, which had a “thin” attendance, saw the group decide to “go into hibernation for the present and hope that Greenwich Council will eventually relent” and restore them to “full partnership.”

Other options on the ballot paper were to continue to organise events in the park or to permanently disband and dispose of the group’s assets.

The chair, Tim Delap, is believed to have resigned and two custodians will be responsible for the running of the dormant group.

The decision was brought about following the controversy this summer when headstones in St Alfege Park were smashed. Greenwich.co.uk understands that the Greenwich Council plans to constitute a new group early in 2012.

New student housing proposed in East Greenwich

A DEVELOPER has applied for planning permission to build new student accommodation in East Greenwich.

The 49-bed,  five-storey block is proposed in Denham Street, just off Woolwich Road. The site was previously used as  a depot and offices for Lewis Coaches.

The developer hopes to benefit from requirement for student homes from both the University of Greenwich and Ravensbourne College.

A letter from the University of Greenwich submitted with the application confirms they have “unsatisfied demand for student accommodation” in the vicinity of their campus at the Old Royal Naval College.

The applicant behind the scheme is Mr David Purewall of Greenwich. It is proposed that the site be used as a car wash until the planning decision for the student accommodation is reached.

Daily Photo: 22/12/2011 – Glenn Tilbrook

Local legend Glenn Tilbrook was performing at Blackheath Halls this week and Warren King was there to photograph it.

Buy British trees, MP tells Transport For London

LOCAL MP Nick Raynsford has criticised Transport for London for deciding to buy foreign trees to be planted near the Blackwall Tunnel.

The trees are due to be planted to the rear of properties in Tunnel Avenue but Raynsford says the decision to buy them from Germany has caused the planting to be delayed until late January 2012.

Mr Raynsford commented:

“While I welcome planting of trees to shield residents of Tunnel Avenue from the noise and traffic fumes of the A102, why couldn’t TFL have bought British saplings from a homegrown tree nursery? Boris Johnson is encouraging people to ‘buy local’ to help London’s economy recover from the recession. But it seems he cannot even persuade TFL – for which he is responsible – to buy British trees.

The Greenwich and Woolwich MP added that there “many excellent tree nurseries in and around London”, citing in particular the Meantime Nursery although that is soon to be turned into an up-market “glamping” site. He added:

“I can’t understand why TFL needs to go to Germany to buy trees. At the new Olympic Park, most of the trees being planted are British-grown, and I hope TFL can take a leaf out of their book in future.”

TFL defended their decision, however, saying that they couldn’t source the right quantity of the size required in the UK.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director Surface Transport said: “The majority of trees that we plant are sourced locally within the UK, mostly in the South East region. However, as we were unable to find any nurseries within the UK who had the quantity of 6 metre tall trees required, we’ve had to source them from Germany. The sizes of the trees are important as they will provide a screen between the residents’ gardens of Tunnel Avenue and the A102.

“The trees are being planted along the Blackwall Tunnel approach as they can trap harmful particulate matter (PM10) which comes from road transport, to prevent dust particles becoming airborne.”

TFL plans to plant 27 Western Red Cedars alongside the A102.

Daily Photo: 21/12/2011 – Dome

Thanks to Dawn OConnor for this wonderful photo of the O2 taken from the Thames early one morning.

You can see more of Dawn’s photography on her Photo4me.com page.

Daily Photo: 20/12/2011 – Santa’s plane

A rare repeat on the Daily Photo, here – a photo that was kindly contributed by local historian Dr Mary Mills and first published on Greenwich.co.uk on Christmas Eve, 2009.

Employees at the gas works in Greenwich created this mock plane for a seasonal photograph complete with Santa in the cockpit.

Daily Photo: 19/12/2011 – Greenwich Charity Pantomime Horse Race

Thanks to photographer Warren King for these great photographs from yesterday’s Pantomime Horse Race. It was the second time the event has been held and over £2,000 was raised for Demelza Hospice Care.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton Athletic v Oldham Athletic (17/12/2011)

Charlton 1 (Russell 63) Oldham Athletic 1 (Morais 84)

With less than a minute played in this drab game, Charlton earned themselves a routine throw-in deep in the left corner. As Danny Green prepared to deliver one of his long throws, every member of Oldham’s team crowded into their penalty area to defend it. As statements of intent go, this one was clarity itself. It warned us that they came here with a point and given the slightest chance, they intended to take it home with them. And who knows, with a break here or there, nick all three.

It’s only fair to point out that there is nothing illegal about the Latics’ methods. They hustle, harass and work feverishly for each other. They also stay just the right side of the law, except when they waste time. And, boy, do they know how to waste time! They’ve made it an art form. Every throw-in, goal kick, free kick or corner is a matter of painstaking preparation, involving changes of takers, re-positioning of the ball or any other niggling detail they can think up. All in all, Oldham Athletic were a nagging ache and are one good reason why Charlton must – simply must – make it out of League One this season. This division sucks you down to its colourless level and the danger is in becoming institutionalised.

Having acknowledged how irritating the negativity of Oldham and others can be, it must also be conceded that it’s the responsibility of ambitious sides such as Charlton to break them down. Unfortunately, when the Addicks finally turned the trick midway through the second half, their breakthrough succeeded only in spurring their visitors into belated aggression, some impressive football and a cracking equaliser six minutes from time.

Intent as they were on turning the first half into a non-event, the Latics surprised nobody more than themseves by creating two fine chances.The first was fashioned by busy midfielder James Wesolowski, who broke away on the right flank to pull back the perfect pass for Tom Adeyemi. His colleague’s air-shot was not only a huge embarrassment to Adeyemi but an equally huge relief to Charlton’s outmanouevred defence. Minutes later, wide man Chris Taylor made himself space to unleash a right-footed rocket from 25 yards; twisting athletically in the air, Ben Hamer fingertipped the netbound drive over the bar.

At the other end, meanwhile, the league leaders made little impression. Lured into prolonged bouts of head tennis and exchanges of long ball by their uncomplicated visitors, they pottered away the first period with little or no incident. Green scuffed an effort wide, then Bradley Wright-Phillips, played in by Yann Kermorgant, produced a competent save from the underworked Alex Cisak. It wasn’t much to show for their supposed superiority.

The second half promised more, beginning as it did with Wright-Phillips seizing on Danny Hollands’ pass to whip a firm drive on the turn into the sidenet. Coming alive, Wright-Phillips was sent through by Green, momentarily rounded Cisak but was foiled by the young Polish keeper’s fine recovery. The Addicks, though, were improving and their opener, when it arrived, was just about deserved.

Following play out to the right touchline, centre back Matt Taylor crossed accurately to the far post, where loanee Darrel Russell opened his Charlton account by leaping high to head conclusively into the top left corner.

Their goal should have settled the Addicks down but instead galvanised Oldham. With nothing to lose now, the Lancastrians came out of their shell to reveal a neat-passing, imaginative ensemble. They served notice that they were far from through when Matt Taylor almost involuntarily blocked a piledriver from Shefki Kuqi, then promptly equalised.

Chris Taylor had stood out among his workaday teammates, with positive running and perceptive link-play. Attacking Chris Solly on the left wing, he turned inside the full back to find substitute Filipe Morais in support inside the penalty area. Taking Taylor’s pass in his stride, the ex-Chelsea trainee smashed a rising shot into the top right corner.

Charlton’s slight dip in form was to be expected and there will be no panic at Sparrows Lane. There’s enough about them to take a breather, then start winning again. They clearly miss the all-round talents of skipper Johnnie Jackson and, to a lesser extent, the playmaking of long-term absentee Dale Stephens but the replacements have coped. Jackson and Stephens will be back before long but the continuing good health of midfield dynamo Hollands holds the key. He’s the glue that holds the side together at present. He must be discouraged from carving turkeys with super-sharp knives. Or any heavy lifting like horsing around as Santa for his triplets. Their dad’s already carrying a heavy load right now. Straws on camels’ backs, that sort of stuff. The girls will understand later in life. You just know they’re good kids.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Russell, Ephraim (Wagstaff 85), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Euell, Pritchard, Cort.

Oldham: Cisak, Diamond, Clarke, Parker, Mellor, Wesolowski, Furman, Scapuzzi (Smith 65), Adeyemi (Morais 65), Taylor, Kuqi. Not used: Bouzanis, Tarlowski, Winchester.

Referee: L. Collins. Att: 19,564.

Daily Photo: 16/12/2011 – Behind the scenes with RFEBS

A busy couple of days for the ubiquitous Robert Gray. Yesterday the Christmas tree he donated was hoisted on to one of the Cutty Sark’s masts and today sees the release of the latest edition of his YouTube chat show, Robert’s Full English Breakfast Show. Later on today, it’s Robert’s turn to take part in the annual Advent Window series, too.

I took this photo above of Robert and camera man Ian Ramsdale as they put the episode together last week.

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