About Kevin Nolan

Burnley 3 (Ings 37, Vokes 67,87) Charlton 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from Turf Moor.

This comment hardly qualifies as blinding insight but the early season signs are that Charlton are already knee-deep in a relegation quicksand. In fact, make that hip-deep and sinking fast. And that’s not a panicky overstatement by any means.

The manner of this abject capitulation to buoyant Burnley, as much as the not unexpected defeat itself, sent shivers of apprehension through the 313 dogged loyalists who followed them up to Lancashire. Those were their natural reactions to an apparent absence of ability and a much more obvious lack of fighting spirit, the same qualities which made them so hard to beat on the road last season. They were sent packing by opponents who chewed them up before spitting out the remains. The Clarets scarcely broke sweat in dealing with such flimsy pretenders.

Let’s do try to be fair, though. The Addicks didn’t actually manage too badly for over a half hour but were beaten in the instant Danny Ings expertly swept his side in front on 37 minutes. Their chronic inability to keep a clean sheet meant that the goalless draw which was clearly the extent of their ambition was now beyond them. They could have played all day and on through Wakes Week without scoring themselves. As soon as Burnley went in front, all bets were off.

Not much had been seen of Ings during the opening half hour. A fine block by Dorian Dervite had snuffed out his only chance and the game was pottering anonymously along, much to the visitors’ satisfaction, until he popped up in precisely the right place at exactly the right time to open the scoring. Timing his run to the far post as the impressive Kieran Trippier outwitted Rhoys Wiggins on the Clarets’ right flank, Ings made routine work of converting the full back’s low, hard-driven cross. It was a lesson in cold-blooded finishing, which was lost on the inept visitors. In the first half, they managed only a limply wide shot from Dale Stephens and a wicked free kick from Wiggins which Tom Heaton bravely collected under pressure from Simon Church. They didn’t do much better in the second period so we’ll draw a veil over their puny efforts.

Operating in Ings’ shadow, meanwhile, Sam Vokes had wasted an early chance, glancing another of Trippier’s sweet centres wide when scoring seemed an easier option. Like his strike partner, he bided his time before extinguishing Charlton’s faint hopes with an excellent second goal. Played through by Dean Marney’s astute pass inside Lawrie Wilson, he drew Ben Hamer from his line, then smoothly lifted a deft chip over the keeper into the right corner. Earlier this season, the Addicks had pulled back a two-goal deficit at Barnsley: the chances of a repetition were minimal. There’s a smell of defeat hanging over them right now.

Full of themselves, Burnley were winning as they pleased. Ings’ clever header from Ben Mee’s left wing cross beat Hamer but smacked against the bar and it was left to Vokes to add a final flourish to their victory with three minutes left. Meeting Junior Stanislav’s waist-high corner on the volley, he gave Hamer no chance from 10 yards. Ings and Vokes, between them, have accounted for 12 of Burnley’s 17 league goals this season.

It’s recommended, of course, to search for positives in the bleakest of situations but on this occasion, you’d be reaching to find even one. Even the late substitute appearance of Yann Kermorgant seemed to backfire or was it imagination that the all-important striker limped through the closing moments? With skipper Johnnie Jackson ruled out pre-kickoff and Chris Solly already a mysterious long-term absentee, Chris Powell could do without further worry concerning Kermorgant’s immediate prospects.

High flyers Nottingham Forest and Blackpool are due this week at The Valley prior to the international break, neither of them opposition you’d choose to face while out of form. Defeats by that formidable duo could see the sands closing over Charlton’s head. And once you go under, it’s one helluva job to reach the surface again.

It’s a bit early to be using a word like crisis. So what should we call it -a blip? Face facts. It looks like a crisis, feels like a crisis, sounds like a crisis. Chances are it’s a crisis.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Burnley: Heaton, Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee, Kightly (Stanislav 60), Marney, Arfield (Treacy 85), Jones (Edgar 90), Ings, Vokes. Not used: Cisak, Lafferty, O’Neill, Stock. Booked: Marney.

Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins, Pritchard (Harriott 46), Stephens, Cousins, Gower (Sordell 68), Stewart (Kermorgant 83), Church. Not used: Alnwick, Evina, Wood, Hughes. Booked: Wilson.

Referee: D. Coote. Att: 10,645.

Charlton 0 Millwall 1 (McDonald 38).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

As an exercise in the “bleedin obvious”, predicting the result of this game took a bit of beating.

In the red corner, Charlton were trying to improve a “record” of 11 victories in 66 previous games; coming out of the blue corner, Millwall hadn’t lost to them since the previous century and traditionally have only to turn up to win. “They want it more”, you see.

So imagine your correspondent’s surprise to learn that our normally hard-nosed turf accountants had installed Charlton as 6-5 favourites, with Millwall offered at a juicy 5-2 (they were 2-1 when cruising home 2-0 last season). On both occasions, the fixture screamed horses-for-courses but the bookies, bless their largesse, wouldn’t have it. They positively insisted on dispensing “money from home” as Damon Runyon called it.

No doubt many Lions’ fans -not to mention more than one pragmatic, world-weary Addick-filled their boots on the generous odds. It would have seemed churlish not to. On a personal level, my lips must remain sealed. As a freelance hanger-on, I can’t indulge. I’m bound by the Hippocratic Oath.

So much anyway for crass commercialism; football is a game of passion, commitment and courage, qualities lamentably lacking in a Charlton side which submitted meekly in the latest of these so-called local derbies. As usual, they pottered about, went through the motions and didn’t appear to be too gutted to lose. Not for the players the fans’ avoidance of certain pubs, the temporary removal of phones from the hook, the low profile until the dust settles and the misery happens again on March 15th. It helps if you live in Essex. And drive there in large lorries with tinted windows.

The scenario is all too familiar to Charlton fans. The Lions always approach the fixture in disarray before miraculously pulling themselves together in the immediate run-up. The Addicks, on the other hand, sportingly ensure that several of their best players (in this case Chris Solly and Yann Kermorgant) are unavailable on the day, talk tough about their determination to shed blood in the cause, then roll over for their tummies to be tickled.

To be fair, on this 67th occasion, there wasn’t a whole lot between the sides. The visitors were hardly scintillating but allowed their hosts just one authentic chance, a gilt-edged opportunity that didn’t arrive until 75 minutes had elapsed. They were split open by substitute Marvin Sordell’s exquisitely judged pass, which played Simon Church through the inside left channel. Opening his body as per text book to shoot across the advancing David Forde for the far corner, Church messed up his angles and managed only to find the keeper’s midriff. There were one or two other bits and pieces but that’s all, folks! Church’s miss was what we shall refer to officially as The Chance.

It had taken Millwall 38 desultory minutes to convert their first genuine opportunity, which fell conveniently to Australian striker Scott McDonald. Picking up the slack after Bradley Pritchard carelessly lost possession, McDonald shook off Pritchard’s guilty pursuit, moved inside and let fly as much in hope as expectation. His shot caught Dorian Dervite’s heel and left Ben Hamer helpless as it flew past the hopelessly wrongfooted keeper. Forget the element of luck because the goal was waiting to happen. It always does in this fixture because, as stated, Millwall “want it more.” It’s a state of mind.

The current Lions bear little resemblance to the teams which included violent twerps like Hurlock, Stevens and Thatcher; these blokes are hard but disciplined. They give and take knocks, stay on their feet when whacked and show impressive team bonding. They should have made the points safe when Richard Chaplow set up Scott Malone to shoot wastefully wide near the end but Charlton’s bolt had already been shot. Admittedly, Forde just beat Sordell to Church’s deflected cross before Cameron Stewart concluded proceedings with a low drive saved competently by Forde. But they were merely the last throes of a beaten team.

Hurt, angry but mainly resigned to the inevitable, the fans took their leave with dignity.

That might be because they’re used to it. After all, the fabled victories over Millwall (yeah, yeah, the snow already) in 1995-96 were themselves the first by the Addicks since October 28th 1978, besides which two of Charlton’s eleven wins were registered in their debut league season of 1921-22 and deceptively put them 2-0 up.

But hold the phone, there were other moments. There was the league double (both 3-1) in  the Division Three championship-winning season of 1934-35 , which meant the sides didn’t meet again for 31 years due to an obvious gulf in class. At which point, of course, the Lions started to catch up. They win so often nowadays that it’d be the decent thing to declare and put Charlton back in. I’m bloody embarrassed by it and I bet you are too.

Speaking of March 15th, which we touched on briefly above, remember to contact your cheerful bookie. You’ll know him by his florid complexion, checked suit and well-upholstered physique (no such thing as a skinny bookie). Find out Millwall’s price and lump on. Because remember the bleedin’ obvious. Charlton lose to Millwall. Again and again. It’s what they do.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Hamer, Morrison, Dervite, Wood (Stewart 57), Wilson, Stephens, Pritchard (Harriott 72), Jackson, Wiggins, Church, Pigott (Sordell 72). Not used: Alnwick, Evina, Cousins, Gower. Booked: Jackson.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Beevers, Woolford, Bailey, Abdou, Trotter (Chaplow 79), Malone, Waghorn (Martin 70), McDonald (Morison 59). Not used: Bywater, Easter, Connolly, Osborne. Booked: Waghorn.

Referee: Andy D’Urso. Att: 15,917.

Huddersfield Town 2 (Vaughan 45, Lynch 65) Charlton 1 (Stewart 79).

Precisely three weeks after Charlton shlepped up the M1 to Huddersfield for`an unwanted  Capital One Cup tie, the Championship fixture compiler probably split his sides laughing to be puckishly sending them on the same gruelling journey, during which they were again struck by a bolt of lightning calling itself Joel Lynch. For the second time too, against all meteorological advice to the contrary.

Allow me to explain. Lynch is a useful left wingback who has nailed down a place in Mark Robins’ workaday side. He does his stuff up and down the touchline, tucks in defensively and is well regarded at the John Smith Stadium, the hackneyed old name presumably used by the Galpharm when it’s playing away and booking in to an hotel.

One thing Robins doesn’t count on from the estimable Lynch is goalscoring. Except, of course, if Charlton are the opponents, which is when his appetite perks up somewhat. He opened the scoring in the Cup game with a raking low drive from distance, which embarrassed Ben Hamer at his near post. We didn’t know it then but he was merely warming up for a bigger prize.

In the 65th minute of this rather more important Championship match, Lynch picked up an innocuous ball just inside Charlton’s half, ambled forward, then without warning unleashed a 35-yard left-footed cannonball. Startled by its ferocity and trajectory, Hamer backtracked desperately but was unable to prevent the missile from zeroing into the top left corner of his net. He’ll need convincing that lightning never strikes twice. Best not mention it.
Lynch’s latest howitzer proved vital to the outcome of this earnest, if uninspired, clash of evenly matched rivals. It not only doubled the lead given the Terriers by an altogether more prolific source in James Vaughan but buffered them against the panic which spread alarmingly when Addicks’ debutant loanee Cameron Stewart reduced the deficit with an even better strike 11 minutes from time.

With nine league goals to his credit already this season, Vaughan is currently on fire. He had been kept relatively quiet during a largely soporific first half but remained alert as two added minutes were signalled. Anticipating the flight of a left-footed cross delivered by Adam Hammill from the right touchline, his clever movement won him enough space to glance a deft header across Hamer into the left corner. A born striker never sleeps.

The sickening suddenness, not to mention the cruel timing of Vaughan’s goal, knocked the stuffing out of the visitors. Without the injured Yann Kermorgant to spearhead their attack, they had at least managed to stifle the Terriers throughout a desultory first period. Their sole attacking contribution had been the header which Simon Church directed too close to Alex Smithies a minute before the break but their hosts had hardly been going like gangbusters themselves. The plan, however negative, was working until Vaughan stuck his oar in.

With their priorities necessarily altered, the Addicks began the second half with more urgency. Their striking deficiencies were, unfortunately, spotlighted, by the mess made by Marvin Sordell of volleying Dale Stephens chipped pass goalwards and, to a lesser extent, by the possibly harsh booking for diving meted out to Simon Church.

Chris Powell was actually in the process of replacing the out of touch Sordell with eager Callum Harriott and introducing the unknown quantity that is Cameron Stewart for a blameless Richard Wood when, smack in front of the distracted boss, Charlton’s nemesis Lynch struck his ultimately decisive goal. It briefly took the wind out of the boss’s sails though he was rewarded with lively contributions from his substitutes.

A mixture of pace and skill, Stewart revitalised the visitors. He had already showed menace when, with 11 minutes left, he set out on a left to right solo dribble, leaving a tiring posse of defenders labouring in his wake. A final drop of the shoulder provided him with a sight of Smithies’ goal and a fulminating right-footed drive from fully 25 yards did the rest.

A truly wondrous goal, Stewart’s bombshell even eclipsed Lynch’s fine effort for sheer quality but went for nothing as the Addicks, despite a spirited rally, failed to close the gap. They reduced the Terriers to yapping terror, there were abortive shouts for a penalty,  a succession of corners brought Hamer up in attack and the stadium was reduced to a molten mass of nerves so familiar to regulars at The Valley. But the points stayed in West Yorkshire.

So what’s next then? Oh blimey, yeah, it’s the fixture that “dare not speak its name” against the chaps from Bermondsey. Early to bed on Friday night then (especially for Yann Kermorgant). Then hopefully a walk in the park.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Hammill (Norwood 79), Clarke, Gerrard, Dixon, Scannell (Richards 70), Clayton, Hogg (Gobern 50), Lynch, Stead, Vaughan. Not used: Bennett, Woods, Paterson, Carr.

Charlton: Hamer, Morrison, Dervite, Wood (Stewart 68), Wilson, Stephens, Jackson (Pigott 85), Pritchard, Wiggins, Sordell (Harriott 68), Church. Not used: Alnwick, Evina, Cousins, Gower. Booked: Dervite, Church, Stephens.

Referee: Stuart Attwell. Attendance 12,248.

Watford 1 (Pudil 71) Charlton 1 (Kermorgant 46,pen).

Kevin Nolan reports from Vicarage Road.

Charlton will travel up the motorway for Tuesday’s fixture at Huddersfield in good heart. They weren’t expected to fetch anything back from Watford except the experience of a good hiding but sheer stubbornness remains one of their endearing features. This draw was just reward for a sturdy, resilient performance during which they gave almost as good as they got.

There were admittedly moments, particularly in the throes of five interminable added minutes, when the Addicks’ backs were pinned firmly to the wall but, make no mistake, this point was earned not pinched. You might struggle to convince Gianfranco Zola’s moaning men that justice was done as they surrounded referee Andy Woolmer at the final whistle; but they conveniently overlooked the massive favour he did them by declining to add a yellow card to the penalty he awarded against Essaid Belkalem for scything down Lawrie Wilson a minute into the second half. Belkalem had been booked for a first half fracas with Simon Church and should have been sent off.

Settled now into the their solid-looking 3-5-2 formation underpinned by three equally uncompromising centre backs and two nippy wingbacks, the visitors had clearly no intention of serving as cannon fodder for Zola’s talented imports. While strikers Yann Kermorgant and Church worked tirelessly to close down passing movements at source and the inexhaustible Bradley Pritchard inspired the midfield resistance of back-to-form Dale Stephens and Johnnie Jackson, the Hornets found it difficult to make fluent progress from back to front. To their credit, they stuck to their principles but weren’t above launching the occasional up-and-under ball to Troy Deeney where necessary. Deeney received mainly short shrift from the excellent Dorian Dervite but did find time to miss a glorious chance to snatch victory in added time, bless him. We’ll proceed to that unchronologically.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

New Scottish international Ikechi Anya had been unleashed on the tiring Londoners as replacement for Davide Faraoni shortly before the hour mark and ran them ragged with a scintillating solo run which carried him from his own half deep into Charlton’s defensive ranks. His work done, Anya slipped a short pass inside to Deeney, who spooned the sitter haplessly (and helpfully from certain perspectives) over the bar from 10 yards. An abortive appeal for handball against Dervite poured further oil on Watford’s troubled waters but they had no need to apologise for their point.

Still a villain to Charlton fans for his diving antics at The Valley last season, Fernando Forestieri carried the early fight to the Addicks, cutting in from the left to send a low crosshot, then a clever curler, both wide of the right post. The Hornets continued in charge and Diego Fabbrini eluded Michael Morrison but blasted narrowly over the top. At the other end, Manuel Almunia barely beat Church to Wilson’s fine low cross, then Richard Wood forced Kermorgant’s header past Almunia but was correctly flagged offside.

Give or take the odd awkward moment, Charlton could be satisfied with their first half efforts; twenty seconds into the second period, their prospects positively bloomed. Split open by Pritchard’s astute pass and Wilson’s heads-up run into the penalty area, a still dozing Watford were all at sea until Belkalem hurtled across to take care of the emergency. Over in a blur of arms and legs went Wilson for as clear a penalty as you’re likely to find. Oddly, Mr. Woolmer needed confirmation from his linesman but Kermorgant was in no such doubt in drilling the spotkick efficiently into the roof of Almunia’s net.

Falling behind had been no part of Watford’s agenda and they buckled down immediately to a search for parity. Deeny’s low drive tested Ben Hamer; Lewis McGugan drove Deeney’s pass narrowly over the bar; the suddenly galvanised Deeney volleyed dangerously close to the left post; Wilson’s magnificent tackle foiled Foresteri. The pressure was briefly relieved by Almunia’s alert save from Stephens but the inevitable equaliser was not long delayed.

Making space for himself inside the area, Fabbrini’s low shot was brilliantly saved by Hamer, who was helpless to prevent Daniel Pudil from converting the rebound. It’s customary to blame goalkeepers in these circumstances. You can forget about it. Hamer was blameless. As were his teammates. Goals just happen sometimes. It’s a sod but there you go.

If they were rattled by the setback, Charlton didn’t waver under intense pressure. They will cheerfully admit that they were the side more grateful for the final whistle, although they came close themselves to a late winner when a sliding Jackson turned Rhoys Wiggins’ low centre over Almunia’s bar. Their main concern will be the 65th minute withdrawal of Kermorgant with an apparent ankle injury. The marauding Breton might be spared the Huddersfield trip. He needs to be fit for next Saturday’s fixture. You know what I mean -the one that dare not speak its name.

Watford: Almunia, Cassetti, Angella, Belkalem, McGugan, Faraoni (Anya 57), Pudil, Fabbrini (Murray 83), Iriney, Deeney, Forestieri (Acuna 73). Not used: Battochio, Doyley, Smith, Bond. Booked: Belkalem, Faraoni, Iriney.

Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wood, Wiggins, Pritchard, Stephens, Jackson, Kermorgant (Pigott 65), Church (Cousins 90). Not used: Alnwick, Evina, Sordell, Gower, Stewart. Booked: Stephens, Church.

Att: 16,431 (1,784 Charlton). Referee: Andy Woolmer.

Charlton 2 (Morrison 27, Kermorgant 59) Leicester City 1 (Drinkwater 62).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

You can forgive Leicester City for being sick of the sight of Charlton right now. And if they never see their former employee Yann Kermorgant again, it’ll probably be a day too soon. So cut them some slack.

A pair of 2-1 losses to the Addicks last season effectively cost City an automatic promotion place and sentenced them to the misery of play-off defeat. Kermorgant scored in both games, as cast-off strikers often do when nursing a simmering sense of injustice; the contentious circumstances surrounding the burly Frenchman’s departure from the King Power Stadium have, of course, been exhaustively discussed so let’s not re-hash them here.

Established as 5-4 favourites at The Valley on Saturday, the unbeaten Foxes were entitled to feel confident of turning the tables on their struggling hosts. A third away win of the fledgling season looked likely to settle an irritating old score.

Having found a little form of their own, despite the midweek defeat at Huddersfield, the Addicks had other ideas. Newly secure in their 3-5-2 makeover, they swarmed all over the visitors on their way to completing a hat-trick of odds-busting victories over them. They won 2-1 yet again with Kermorgant, twirling an enormous villain’s moustache, inevitably scoring what amounted to the winner in a pulsating entertainment.

A subtle re-jigging of the side which performed so well in Yorkshire meant recalls for left wingback Rhoys Wiggins and striker Simon Church, with Dorian Dervite, as expected, replacing Richard Wood as part of a solid-looking centre back trio. The absence of Chris Solly, meanwhile, gave the believers in pre-deadline day conspiracy plenty to chew on. But not in this report.

Although Charlton’s determined start offered evidence that they’re improving, it was City’s unruly behaviour that was to prove their eventual undoing. Matty James’ needless 12th minute booking for tripping dynamic Bradley Pritchard was to have significant repercussions later on but it was their obsessive targetting of Kermorgant that not only distracted them but began their downfall.

A malevolent foul by Ignasi Miquel on the ex- Fox conceded a free kick, which Johnnie Jackson curled in from the right and Kaspar Schmeichel pawed nervously away for a left wing corner. Back to form Dale Stephens’ inswinger was pounced on by Michael Morrison and the big defender’s emphatic header finished the job.

Simon Church should have doubled the advantage but spooned Jackson’s corner haplessly over the bar from close range. With Liam Moore’s long throws their only offensive weapon, these Foxes were proving easy prey so far; A bit ominous at the time really.

Further lawbreaking after the interval – in fairness, Charlton weren’t always scrupulous themselves- continued the unravelling process. In vain pursuit of Kermorgant, Danny Drinkwater’s cynical trip from behind gave his victim the chance to curl a devastating free kick, which Schmeichel saved superbly at his right post.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

In no mood for reform, City’s ill-discipline boiled over shortly before the hour. Following up alertly as Ben Hamer left his line to brilliantly block David Nugent, James’ effort to reach the rebound ran into steely defensive resistance. Convinced he’d been impeded -and maybe he was- the energetic midfielder carried his passionate protests too far and was handed a second yellow card by  Darren Deadman. Be fair, we can’t have foxes going around saucing humans, especially referees. Next thing you know, it’s back to 1984 and you’ve got pigs taking over again.

City were instantly punished for their indiscretions by a second goal. Jackson’s deadly corner was met by Kermorgant’s prodigious leap and unstoppable header at the far post. At which decisive point, the Addicks predictably faltered and allowed their victims back into it.

A lightning break and cross on the left by Jamie Vardy was scuffed awkwardly away by an off-balance Dervite but efficiently drilled into the roof of the net by Drinkwater. These ten men had no intention of going quietly.

Unruffled by the setback, Kermorgant continued to be unplayable. His tailored knockdown of Lawrie Wilson’s accurate cross was uncharacteristically shovelled over the bar by Jackson, then a ferocious header, from another of Wilson’s excellent crosses, produced a miraculous save from Schmeichel, with Church bundling the rebound against the woodwork. With Charlton anxious to cross their eyes and make the teas after an important victory, impressive young substitute Jordan Cousins should have eased the mild pressure but finished a clever run on to Pritchard’s incisive pass by shooting against the advancing Schmeichel.

But no matter. Even six added minutes were a doddle. With an old head planted on young shoulders, strapping Joe Pigott spent most of them messing around near the left corner flag in a mini-match of his own. It’s hard to think of a time when Charlton have been more relaxed during the last knockings of a game. Well, maybe not relaxed. No, definitely not relaxed. Can’t think what made me say that!

Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Cort, Dervite, Wiggins, Stephens (Cousins 75), Jackson (Gower 75), Pritchard, Church (Pigott 90), Kermorgant. Not used: Pope, Evina, Sordell, Harriott.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet (Kockaert 56), Morgan, Miquel, Sclupp (Dyer 72), Moore, Drinkwater, King, James, Nugent, Vardy (Wood 67). Not used: Whitbread, Danns, Bakayogo, Logan.

Referee: Darren Deadman. Att: 15,542.

Huddersfield Town 3 (Lynch 40, Hogg 77, Hammill 82) Charlton 2 (Stephens 32, Sordell 59).

Kevin Nolan reports from the John Smith Stadium.

A Tuesday evening jaunt to Yorkshire for a devalued Cup competition usually involving second-string teams, amounts to a self-inflicted ordeal guaranteed to separate the men from the boys, the women from the girls, the sane from those feigning sanity.

There were 179 such troubled souls at John Smith Stadium, 29 of whom had travelled in the single supporters coach. Among these odds and sods was your reporter, his brief to bring you news first-hand of Charlton’s stirring fight to win a place in the third round. With alcohol banned from the coach, we were left to survive, as W.C.Fields lamented, on nothing but food and water. And, needless to say, we were doomed to disappointment. You never get used to it. You’d think we would but we don’t. We don’t have many marbles between us, you see.

Not that our heroes went quietly. Far from it. For lengthy periods in this entertaining Cup tie, they were a better side than in-form Huddersfield, leading twice before succumbing to two late goals. The point is, though, that they came up with still another way to contrive defeat, when unexpected victory seemed unavoidable.

Making eight changes from the line-up which started the abortive league game against Doncaster Rovers at the weekend, Chris Powell sent out an experimental team, featuring three sturdy centre backs and two fleetfooted wingbacks. If the idea was to “have a go” at Town, who had battered Bournemouth 5-1 at this pleasant venue at the weekend, the early results were gratifying.

As the visitors moved quickly into gear, Lawrie Wilson’s vicious drive was beaten away by Alex Smithies, Michael Morrison had two efforts blocked after Richard Wood headed Dale Stephens’ corner down to him and Stephens glanced Cedric Evina’s clever cross narrowly wide. Although James Vaughan caused concern in failing, by inches, to convert Adam Hamill’s flighted pass, the Addicks had already done enough to justify the lead Stephens gave them just past the half hour.

Desperate to check Evina’s menacing run before he crossed the 18-yard line, Hamill crudely chopped him down from behind. Mission accomplished, it seemed, until Stephens threaded  a low free kick through the toilsome masses and in off the far post. As soon as the good news reached the other end of the ground, celebrations were heartfelt among the pilgrims, whose painful progress up the clogged motorways briefly promised to bear fruit.

Completely on top by now, Charlton’s celebrations were promptly silenced by Town’s 40th minute equaliser. Bringing the ball out from the back at a retreating defence, left back Joel Lynch chanced his arm from distance, caught Ben Hamer by surprise and squeezed an unremarkable shot between the keeper and his near post.

Driven forward by the midfield trio of Stephens, the insatiably hardworking Bradley Pritchard and most encouragingly by skipper Johnnie Jackson, whose return from a brief period on the panel is especially timely, the Addicks reacted well to the setback. Uninhibited youngster Joe Pigott ‘s rasping drive tested Smithies before his partner Marvin Sordell restored Charlton’s lead on the hour.

An apparently nettled Sordell had begun the second half by picking up a yellow card for a ludicrously late challenge on veteran centre back Peter Clarke. He might well have seen red for the offence but used the escape to maximum effect. Peeling off his marker as Pigott nodded Evina’s fine cross back from the far post, the embattled striker dispatched an emphatic volley beyond Smithies. His first goal for Charlton was at least memorable.

But it wasn’t enough because Mark Robins’ full strength Terriers were proving hard to shake off. Helped by a large slice of luck, they were level again 13 minutes from time. Oliver Norwood’s optimistic drive was probably heading into Hamer’s arms when a wicked deflection off teammate Jonathan Hogg left the keeper flatfooted and helpless. Although Hamer kept them briefly at bay with an excellent save from substitute Sean Scannell, the suddenly buoyant home side kept coming. Another blocked effort from Scannell rebounded to Hamill, who made no mistake from close range.

So that was the Capital One Cup taken care of for yet another year. Our 29 coach survivors were swelled by one with the addition of a one-way traveller and off we journeyed into the darkness. Never again! Never ever again! Well, at least not until three weeks from now when we’re back in Huddersfield for another Tuesday evening engagement, this time in the league. We won’t let anyone down. We’ll be there. We don’t have the sense we were born with.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Gerrard, Clarke, Lynch, Hogg, Hamill, Clayton (Stead 70), Norwood, Carr (Hunt 55), Paterson (Scannell 46), Vaughan. Not used: Bennett, Ward, Gobern, Wallace.  Booked: Hamill, Lynch.

Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wood (Cort 79), Evina, Pritchard, Stephens, Jackson (Green 85), Sordell, Pigott (Kermorgant 85). Not used: Pope, Hughes, Wiggins, Cook. Booked: Sordell.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham. Att: 6,250.

Charlton 1 (Church 37) Doncaster Rovers 3 (Keegan 2. Brown 17,23).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley

Abandoned at half-time due to waterlogged pitch.

It’s obvious that being reprieved at half-time by a biblical deluge when 3-1 down at home, has to be considered a massive break. And it’s just as obvious that if you’re leading at the time of the abandonment, you’re entitled to curse your luck.
This particular case, though, wasn’t quite so clearcut. Not quite. It’s true that Paul Dickov’s wild Rovers had taken the Addicks apart with three ruinous goals inside 23 irresistible minutes and that, had the game proceeded without interruption, they would almost certainly have completed a rout. The on-song visitors had almost to be frogmarched from the field when referee Lee Collins ordered a half hour moratorium after 26 minutes play to assess the situation. Their mutinous reluctance to break early for tea was perfectly understandable but it got worse.We found out later what becomes of the brokenhearted.

By the time Mr. Collins brought the teams back with about 18 minutes of the first period remaining, however, the situation had drastically changed. Donny’s keen edge had been blunted, their lead promptly reduced by Simon Church’s opportunistic goal, a setback quickly followed by the dismissal of opening goalscorer Paul Keegan for two of the more boneheaded yellow cards you’re likely to come across. Rovers faced an awkward second period.

The momentum had certainly switched but it was an incident shortly before the long-delayed interval which possibly helped the indecisive official to make up his mind. With the goal at his mercy from six yards, two-goal Chris Brown was foiled in his efforts to complete a quickfire hat-trick by a treacherous riptide, leaving Ben Hamer the simple task of paddling out to retrieve the ball. The increasingly farcical conditions were sportingly brought to Mr. Collins’ attention by a caring home crowd, responsibly alive to health and safety considerations and equally anxious that the pitch wasn’t irreparably damaged.

During the interval came confirmation that Mr. Collins shared their concerns. The game was called off. Charlton were off the hook. Or was it Doncaster? Nah, probably Charlton. They were, after all, two goals down. Mind you, Rovers had been clearly shaken by the twin blows before the break and had already depended on keeper Ross Turnbull for three outstanding saves, the best of which kept out Bradley Pritchard’s fulminating volley. They were in a bit of a pickle. Nah, still had to be Charlton. Who wants to resume at two goals down? So definitely Charlton.

His normal, calculating self after the drama, Chris Powell’s private relief won’t lead him to sweep under the carpet the debris left by that disastrous opening spell. Charlton’s resistance was minimal as the visitors moved effortlessly into a 3rd minute lead through Keegan’s spectacular header. Powell will probably require explanation of the dozy defending that left an unmarked Theo Robinson space to collect a routine throw conveniently held up by the worst section of the pitch, then pick out the onrushing midfielder with an accurate cross to the penalty spot. Keegan will be chagrined to learn that while his “goal” will be expunged, his dismissal means punishment. Silly boy!

The manager will also pinpoint the simplicity with which Robinson used James Hubbard’s pass into his feet to twist past Michael Morrison and set up a near post chance for Brown to double the lead; not to mention the confusion that reigned as David Cotterill’s outswinging corner was headed goalward by Bongani Khumalo, before cannoning freakishly off Brown’s nose past a startled Hamer. Heads might roll.

So we’ll do it all again some time in the future, much to an unusually restrained Dickov’s displeasure. He will fear, as an experienced pro, that the outcome might well be different then. On the other hand, It might be a good idea to steer clear of Powell if this humiliation is repeated. No two ways about it. This is a manager with problems to solve.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Wiggins, Pritchard, Gower, Cousins, Harriott, Kermorgant, Church. Not used: Pope, Dervite, Evina, Green, Sordell, Wilson, Pigott. Booked: Gower.

Doncaster: Turnbull. Wabara, Jones, Khumalo, Husband, Cotterill, Wellens, Coppinger, Keegan,  Brown, Robinson. Not used: Quinn, Furman, Syers, Duffy, Paynter, McCullough, Maxted. Booked (twice) Keegan:sent off.

Referee: Lee Collins. Att: 13,633.

Barnsley 2 (O’Grady 16,55), Charlton 2 (Cousins 64, Church 72.)

Kevin Nolan reports from Oakwell.

Under normal circumstances, Charlton’s retrieval of an away point after trailing 2-0 in the second half would be cause for celebration. And when the truth is that you’ve been outplayed for over an hour but pulled yourselves together sufficiently to get back on terms, you’re entitled to a pat on the back. Most of the time.

It’s not quite as straightforward as that because circumstances are anything but normal around The Valley these days, both on and off the field. The Addicks’ haul of one point from three games against moderate opposition hardly inspires confidence but it could be worse. In fact, it actually Is worse just a few miles down the road in a neighbouring borough. None of our business, of course.

Of more concern than Charlton’s plight near the bottom of the Championship is the ominous atmosphere hanging over the club like an ever-darkening cloud. As rumours multiply, misgivings concerning its administration increase proportionately. The natives camped outside its walls are restless, the alternative presses are rolling, there’s an unmistakeable whiff of revolution in the air. Those besieged within, meanwhile, operate a rigorous code of omerta. They neither confirm nor deny. We’ve been here before. Just over 20 years ago.

The 461 fans who followed the Addicks to South Yorkshire were happy to temporarily park their doubts, get behind the team and seek comfort in the essential simplicity of football. They had, after all, witnessed the shattering of a club record at this venue a mere four months previously. There were happy memories to be raked over.

Humiliated 6-0 on that inauspicious occasion, Barnsley had other ideas. Vengeance was on their agenda and during a one-way first half, they gave their visitors scarcely a sight of the ball. The 1-0 lead they took back to the dressing room at the break was poor reward for their complete superiority. Their inability to convert their dominance into goals, however, was to prove their undoing. Football never tires of punching home that message.
Any hint of a Charlton revival seemed remote as the Tykes, with a burning sense of mission, played their erstwhile tormentors off the park. They were well worth the lead given them by Chris O’Grady just past the quarter hour.

Most of Barnsley’s steady pressure had been launched down the left flank, where full back Tom Kennedy and Scott Golbourne combined intelligently. Kennedy supplied Golbourne with the pass which the mobile wide man whipped dangerously into the six-yard area. Bustling in front of Michael Morrison, O’Grady forced an untidy opener past Ben Hamer.

Shortly after their success, the South Yorkshiremen squandered a golden opportunity to capitalise on their advantage. With Dorian Dervite outmuscled by Chris Dagnall, Jacob Mellis pounced on the loose ball to hit a post from close range. The rebound ran kindly for Dagnall who, with the goal at his mercy, was foiled by Hamer’s brave, painful intervention.

Charlton’s solitary contribution to a dismal first half was the clever free kick, awarded for Jim O’Brien’s handball, which Mark Gower cut back for Callum Harriott to force a fine, lowdown save from Luke Steele at his right post.

Dagnall’s miss appeared irrelevant when O’Grady doubled the Tykes’ lead ten minutes after half-time. In an uncanny reprise of Lewis Grabban’s opening goal for Bournemouth a fortnight previously, Dagnall created space for Mellis to cross accurately from the left. O’Grady nodded back across Hamer into the far corner and Charlton’s future looked bleak.

Unlikely though it seemed at the time, Barnsley relaxed, Charlton improved and young substitute Jordan Cousins marked an impressive full debut by reducing the arrears just seven minutes after O’Grady’s apparent clincher. On hand to meet Steele’s inconclusive punch near the 18 -yard line, the stylish teenager drove his effort forcefully into the ground and was gratified to watch it bounce high over the stranded goalkeeper into the net. Not the most artistic of strikes but worth its weight as a tonic for a jaded team.

Barnsley’s instant panic was alarming. They were caught hopelessly square on the halfway line as Yann Kermorgant’s devastating pass sent Simon Church sprinting clear from a clearly onside position in his own half to clip past the advancing Steele and agonisingly over the goalline, despite O’Briens’s desperate attempt to clear.

Unexpected and to some extent undeserved, Church’s fine equaliser has Charlton off the mark for the season. Relief was apparent but celebrations were muted. There just isn’t much to celebrate around S.E. 7 at the moment. It provided a silver lining. But the clouds continue to gather.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Barnsley: Steele, O’Brien, Wiseman, M’Voto, Kennedy, Dawson, Perkins (Etuhu 33), Mellis (Digby 67), Golbourne, Dagnall (Scotland 76), O’Grady. Not used: Alnwick, McNulty, Cywka, Cofie. Booked: Wiseman.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Dervite (Cort 46), Morrison, Wiggins, Wilson, Stephens (Cousins 46), Gower, Harriott (Evina 77), Kermorgant, Church. Not used: Pope, Green, Sordell, Pigott. Booked: Dervite.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson. Att: 9,554.   

Charlton 0 Middlesbrough 1 (Jutkiewicz 72).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

A study in glum world-weariness at the best of times, Tony Mowbray is a decent bloke who finds little to kid about in life. When called upon to smile, his mournful face seems faintly caught by surprise. Put it this way. If owners look like their dog, Tone has a basset hound.

As Middlesbrough’s manager, Mowbray has been under pressure since Boro failed to make the promotion play-offs last season. They’re a bit full of themselves on Teeside and the club’s perceived failure caused considerable chuntering on the terraces and backbiting in the boardroom. Even Steve Gibson, one of the best chairmen in the game, has been vilified. That’s football for you.

An opening day home loss to Leicester City, followed by an embarrassing Cup exit at the hands of Accrington Stanley, piled on the agony. In mutinous disarray, Boro shaped up as a nice little earner for Charlton, themselves boosted by their imperious midweek dismissal of Oxford United. Naturally, there was a nasty shock in store for the Londoners. We’ve been here before… more than once.

The Northeasterners were actually no great shakes but they were clearly too much for their bewildered hosts. After subjecting them to a thoroughly uncomfortable first half, during which the Addicks made only fleeting contact with the ball, they stepped up the pace and, eighteen minutes from time, grabbed a goal which, in its inevitability, was becoming as plain as the nose on Mowbray’s face. Stuck out a mile, in other words.

Secretly relieved no doubt, the beleaguered boss formed his post-game features into a pleasant enough grimace, from which his eyes stayed watchfully aloof, before muttering a few platitudes about “asking the right questions” and “deserving what we got.” Then he disappeared back to his beloved Teeside, leaving rival manager Chris Powell to pick up the pieces of a depressing setback made worse by a disastrously conceded goal.

Powell will be doing more grimacing than smiling when he reviews this debacle. Until Marvin Sordell blasted tamely over the bar in first half added time, his side hadn’t managed an attempt on goal. They didn’t set the woods on fire after the break either.

Without being exactly dynamic, the visitors led widely on points at half time. Josef Varga’s early drive caused Ben Hamer brief discomfort, Lukas Jutkiewicz fired Albert Adomah’s pass too high, Grant Leadbitter curled a drive narrowly wide. George Friend closed the session by bending a 20-yard free kick dangerously over Hamer’s bar as the home fans squirmed. This one ain’t gonna end well was the general conclusion.

Home hope flared briefly upon resumption, with Callum Harriott’s blistering run and accurate cross setting up a far post chance for Danny Green. Rejecting the invitation to shoot first-time with his stronger right foot, Green chose to check back left-footed, by which time Jason Steele made ground to smother the close range effort. Boro’s swift riposte was delivered by attacking left back Friend, who exchanged passes at lightning speed with Mustapha Carayol before drilling a low crosshot inches wide of the far post.

Left sided wide man Carayol was proving an awkward handful for Chris Solly. Operating on the opposite flank, new arrival Adomah was equally troublesome for Rhoys Wiggins. Watching their outstanding full backs being given a gruelling run-around was a novel sight for Charlton fans, who had enough on their plates anyway.

A boring, if useful, goalless draw was on the cards when the Addicks caved in. Leadbitter’s outswinging right wing corner was headed out strongly enough by Solly and returned from the edge of the penalty area by Dean Whitehead. Preparing to deal with the dropping ball six yards from goal, a less than assertive Hamer was impeded by Yann Kermorgant, whose skyward header was neatly nodded into the empty net by Jutkiewicz. Defeat had been plucked from the jaws of, erm, if not winning then not losing. Sounds a bit laboured but you catch my drift.

Green’s powerful drive forced Steele into a tumbling save and Kermorgant’s astute cross was headed narrowly over the bar by substitute Dale Stephens (skipper Johnnie Jackson’s interval withdrawl was a reason for further gloom) during the late going but Charlton were well beaten. Two successive league defeats might not cause panic at The Valley but there should be concern. Charlton were lifeless, clueless, ominously spiritless.

Ordinarily a trip next weekend to homely old Barnsley would be keenly anticipated. But those little Tykes have it in for the Addicks after being massacred 6-0 as recently as last spring. Revenge could be a dish waiting to be served up piping hot at Oakwell. Just doing my bit to ease the widespread pessimism.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins, Green (Wilson 72), Gower, Jackson (Stephens 46), Harriott, Kermorgant, Sordell (Church 77). Not used: Pope, Evina, Cort, Pigott. Booked: Stephens.

Boro: Steele (Leutwiler 77), Richardson, Williams, Woodgate, Friend, Adomah, Varga, Whitehead, Leadbitter (Smallwood 83), Carayol (Emnes 90), Jutkiewicz . Not used: Parnaby, Gibson, Ledesma, Main. Booked: Whitehead.

Referee: P. Tierney. Att: 14,882.

Charlton 4 (Church 18,57, Green 48, Pigott 90 pen) Oxford United 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Quite apart from the novelty of reaching the second round of the League Cup, Chris Powell had at least ten other reasons to be cheerful on Tuesdayevening. His second string X1, completely overhauled, with the exception of keeper Ben Hamer, from the side which lost at Bournemouth three days earlier, made easy work of demolishing League Two visitors Oxford United. There appears to be satisfying depth to his squad, not to mention healthy competition for first team selection. Those are problems welcomed by any manager.

Winners of the League Cup in 1986 and buoyed by their 4-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday, Oxford United pulled into town, confident of becoming the latest lower tier team to embarrass Charlton in knockout football. Their 771 travelling fans clearly fancied their chances and were bullish in letting us know how they felt. Before the end, however, they were ruthlessly put in their place and, in many cases, were suspected of “sneaking out.”

Among the various successes in the new red shirt, none was more impressive than 19 year-old debutant Joe Pigott. A centre forward rooted in an old tradition, the well-built kid takes his lumps, retains possession skilfully and brings supporting teammates into play. He can give and take pressure while working unselfishly for his team. Pigott was responsible for two of the best passes this entertaining game had to offer, the first of which laid on what should have been a hat-trick goal for strike partner Simon Church, the second a wonderfully reversed delivery to lay on a late chance for Marvin Sordell.

Along with highly regarded Sordell, Church is expected to augment Yann Kermorgant’s contribution to Charlton’s scoring column. He duly got off the mark with two opportunistic efforts, both of them resulting from his sharp reactions to fortunate ricochets.

Just past the quarter hour mark, Church was conveniently positioned as Pigott’s hastily contrived shot rebounded to him. With United’s defence hopelessly wrongfooted, the predatory forward took a touch before whipping a crisp drive across Ryan Clarke into the far left corner.

United’s best first half moment was provided by Australian midfielder Ryan Williams. The loan signing from Fulham combined at express speed with Johnny Mullins, reached the right byline but bundled his short cross against a rapidly retreating Leon Cort. It’s a rainy day for Aussies right now, bless ’em, and Williams ended up as moist as the cricketers.

Three minutes after the interval, the tie was all but settled by Danny Green, Standing over the 25-yard free kick awarded for Asa Hall’s foul on Church, the setpiece specialist sized up the possibilities, liked what he saw and drilled a low effort into the net through the congestion zone. A faint touch on the way might have helped.

Almost immediately, the first of Pigott’s telling passes, following devastating interplay with Jordan Cook, set up Church to tap in a third. His squared delivery left the new arrival the simple task of finishing from close range but was instead screwed haplessly wide.

Like all good strikers, Church didn’t brood over the miss. Again unmarked as Cedric Evina’s miscued shot arrived at his feet, he turned sharply to beat Clarke with a low, left-footed crosshot. On this evidence, Powell has himself an accomplished “goalhanger”, as we called them, with some bitterness, at school years ago.

The wholehearted Cort, meanwhile, snuffed out the U’s’ substitute Alfie Potter as the speedster shaped to finish a superb solo run but Chris Wilder’s men were otherwise being comfortably handled. In added time, Pigott completed their annihilation.

Fellow academy debutant Jordan Cousins had belatedly replaced stylish Dale Stephens and brought his own elegance with him. His close dribbling skill proved too much for Danny Rose, who wearily brought him down in the penalty area. With Powell apparently having forgotten to name his penalty taker, Pigott persuaded Green and Sordell that the responsibility for converting the inevitable spotkick was best left to him. No mistake was made from 12 yards and the youngster has the first of what promises to be a healthy total of senior goals. There were no hard feelings from his strongarmed colleagues.

For Powell, there was considerable relief in discovering, following the Bournemouth defeat, that his squad has depth and quality. Not one of his ten outfield replacements let him down. Each of them made genuine cases for first team selection, none more so than the excellent Cort, a resurgent Danny Hollands and creative wide men Green and Cook. The result also presented the boss with an unusual experience. It’s not often he retains any interest in the Leaue Cup after the first round. Tomorrow (Thursday) he will actually hear Charlton’s name read out in the second round draw. Who knows, he might even recognise it.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Wood, Cort, Evina, Green, Stephens (Cousins 88), Hollands, Cook (Harriott 81), Church (Sordell 77), Pigott. Not used: Pope, Dervite, Kermorgant, Jordan.

Oxford: Clarke, Mullins, Wright, Hunt, Newey, Williams (Rigg 76), Whing, Hall (Potter 65), Rose, O’Dowda, Constable (Smalley 65). Not used: Crocombe, Raynes, Davies, Ruffels.

Referee: A. Davies. Att: 4,935.