Charlton 1 (Magennis 22) Oldham Athletic 1 (Clarke 83).
Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.
A pair of decent performances on the road against in-form opposition had provided a solid platform from which Charlton were poised to launch a determined bid to join League One’s promotion pace-setters. Three upcoming visits from teams in the division’s lower reaches were exactly what was needed. That was the theory anyway and it attracted a dwindling base of over 8,500 cockeyed optimists to The Valley on Tuesday to witness the first stage in its development.
What unfolded instead on a balmy September evening had a depressingly familiar ring to it. For the second successive home game, Charlton reached the last few minutes holding a single goal lead. Again they buckled under modest pressure, on this occasion at least emerging with the small consolation of a point. They seem incapable of winning 1-0, their failure to score a second goal causing infectious nervousness if not temporary paralysis. Shakespeare as usual had something to say about the phenomenon: “Striving to do better, oft we mar what’s well.” What the all-knowing bard meant was – learn to hang on to your bloody lead!
Not that the Addicks are justified in feeling they were robbed. Oldham arrived third from bottom but were the better side. They kept the ball down, passed to feet and never lost faith in themselves or their methods. Lightweight up front, however, they were up against it when Josh Magennis fired the Addicks in front midway through the first half.
So it stayed until the 85th minute turning point, when Morgan Fox bundled roughly into Lee Erwin inside the home half. The irresponsibly conceded free kick was flighted into the six-yard area by Paul Green, where old warhorse Peter Clarke found space to glance a header past Declan Rudd and send The Valley into speechless anger. Not one of the mourners was even remotely surprised by the latest setback. It comes with the territory for Charlton fans.
There was still time for substitute Ademola Lookman to frighten the lives out of the jubilant Latics. Taking matters into his own hands, the talented teenager made a lateral solo run from left to right before unleashing a fierce drive which rebounded off the woodwork as far as the18-yard line. Quite why Lookman didn’t start is hard to fathom. He wasn’t at his best here but still managed to terrorise the visitors, an earlier burst and low cross forcing left back Jamie Reckford into an emergency clearance. A hum of anticipation accompanies his every touch, not something you could honestly say about many of his teammates.
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Magennis’ goal was, in the context of Charlton’s dull display, remarkable. A patient build-up featuring over 20 passes was given sudden impetus by the lancing ball played forward by Andrew Crofts to Ricky Holmes, who jinked away from two opponents to find Magennis. From a diminishing angle near the right byline, the Northern Irish target man bulleted a low shot across Connor Ripley into the far corner.
Chris Solly’s customary alertness was required to protect the lead when Green’s deflected centre from the right left Freddie Lapado the apparent formality of smashing home an equaliser from four yards. Despite falling backward on the goalline, Solly contrived to block the striker’s shot, with Rudd pouncing gratefully on the loose ball.
That troublesome second goal – the one which causes the Addicks so much heartache – eluded Magennis in the opening minute of the second period. Set up by Lee Novak, he was unable to squeeze an angled finish past Ripley. He came closer later but after sidestepping Clarke, his curling effort passed harmlessly over the angle of post and bar. At the other end, Ladapo scuffed a good chance wide and Bauer’s magnificent tackle denied Erwin the room to convert Billy McKay’s low cross.
Time ticked by but the equaliser became inevitable, with the growing panic disabling the Addicks by now palpable. Clearances were kicked anywhere, possession was surrendered tamely, all sense of shape or discipline became a dim memory. Which is where “character”, that buzzword managers are fond of using when it’s their turn to celebrate late salvation, comes into the equation: no doubt relieved Steve Robinson, Oldham’s manager, employed in praising his side’s tenacity. Turning to Russell Slade, on the other hand, is it fair to describe his team’s chronic inability to see out a game with a one-goal lead as a corresponding “lack of character”? He has a problem on his hands.
With six draws – four of them 1-1 – from their ten league games, Charlton risk losing touch with the top six. The bottom three will become their focus if they continue to show this kind of vulnerability. On the crest of a recent wave, Rochdale, yet another lowly side, are due at The Valley on Saturday, probing for weaknesses. It might be a good idea to change the practice of kicking into the away end in the first half. Hasn’t anyone noticed that’s where all the late sickeners occur? The home end is more comfortable to defend under pressure. And while we’re at it, could be a bad idea for the Addicks to take the lead!
Charlton: Rudd, Solly, Bauer, Konsa, Fox, Crofts (Foley 63), Jackson (Lookman 63), Ulvestad, Holmes, Novak (Ajose 86), Magennis. Not used: Phillips, Chicksen, Johnson, Botaka.
Oldham: Ripley, Dummigan, Burgess, Clarke, Flynn (Krok 87), Reckford. Fane, McLaughlin (Osei 73), Green, McKay, Ladapo (Erwin 64). Not used: Kettings, Law, Banks, Dunne.
Referee: Nicholas Kinseley.
Att: 8745 (185 visiting).