About Kevin Nolan

Charlton 2 (Kermorgant 14, Stephens 73) Wycombe Wanderers 1 (Beavon 45).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

After clinching promotion to the Championship at faraway Carlisle last week, just one outstanding item remained on Charlton’s agenda for the 2011-12 season. It was necessary -vital even- to go up as champions. The best fans in S.E.London demanded no less from easily the best side in League One.

Yet again these remarkably resilient Addicks delivered the goods. At times, their performance levels dipped below par and it was relegation-threatened Wycombe who looked more like title winners. The visitors understandably departed with a chip on their shoulder because their bright, enterprising contribution to a rousing game could so easily have been rewarded with at least a precious point. Disappointment has been the unhappy lot, however, of many a side who deluded themselves they had Charlton backed on to the ropes only to find themselves suckered into overreaching their front foot and being picked off by counterpunching experts with many different ways of winning.

At the end of a fluctuating opening, during which Bradley Wright-Phillips’ header was kicked off the line by Craig Eastmond, with shapshooter Stuart Beavon’s low drive testing Ben Hamer and Matt Bloomfield shooting inches wide at the other end, Yann Kermorgant and Johnnie Jackson combined to create space for Wright-Phillips to let fly on the turn but Nikki Bull alertly parried.

With little to lose, Wanderers grew in confidence, a surprising development which made even more sickening the blow that knocked them sideways on the quarter hour. It seemed that centre back Danny Foster’s foul on Kermorgant, over 30 yards from Bull’s goal, had been committed with a keen eye on percentages. If so, the Chairboys hadn’t done their homework because their hosts have claimed no fewer than four key goals this season, from directly netted free kicks. Kermorgant’s right foot and Jackson’s equally deadly left foot have shared the honours; this time the brick-built Breton stepped up to curl an unstoppable drive onto the bottom left corner. Magni-flaming-fique!

In reply, a low shot from Bloomfield deflected off Michael Morrison but luckily straight at Hamer before Wright-Phillips wasted the first of two excellent first half chances. A typically adroit header from Kermorgant sent him clear into one-on-one confrontation with Bull but the advancing keeper’s left leg blocked the indecisive effort. Bull again saved marvellously, this time from find-of-the season Bradley Pritchard, who cleverly controlled a Chris Solly chip but was foiled by the defiant keeper’s agile touch over the bar. Wright-Phillips’ weak effort to convert another Solly pass slid wide and seemed to have concluded a busy, end-to-end half. But Wycombe and the elusive Beavon had other ideas.

Scorer of 23 goals in a side with only 61 goals to its credit, Beavon has arguably been League One’s outstanding striker. One of his goals was scored in a 2-1 defeat by Charlton back in October and he victimised the Addicks again as one minute of added time commenced. Breaking through on the left, his fierce shot was turned aside by Hamer, with the loose ball returned instantly by right back Marvin McCoy and headed firmly home by Beavon. It was no more than the Chairboys, all grown up into Chairmen by now, deserved.

News that Sheffield United were trailing 1-0 to MK Dons, thanks to an Alan Smith goal of all things, supplied a silver lining to a threatening cloud, but it was the Buckinghamshire chaps who controlled much of the second period. Beavon continued to be a persistent pest and forced Hamer into another fine stop, before the busy keeper combined with Leon Cort to smother Bloomfield’s fine solo run as he closed in on the near post. On the hour, Hamer distinguished himself with a brilliant save to deny Joel Grant, who seemed certain to convert Beavon’s astute short pass from close range. Wanderers were comfortably on top but, once more, walked into a knockdown shot. And this one put them away for good.

An unusually unproductive Wright-Phillips had been replaced by Danny Haynes, whose pace brought instant rewards. Bursting into the inside left channel, his resourceful cross from the byline was nodded down by Kermorgant and struck first time by Dale Stephens through a crowded penalty area into the left corner. Bar the shouting – and there was plenty of that – the league title had been duly delivered.

Haynes had already justified his arrival but might have made The Valley’s customary suffering unnecessary when sent away by still another of Kermorgant’s wickedly perceptive passes. Out came Bull to prolong the agony.

For once, it didn’t matter. There was no way these redoubtable Addicks, led by their cool captain Jackson, intended to falter. 10-men MK Dons were doing their bit back in Bucks and an invisible wall had been erected in front of Hamer in S.E.7. Following the closing formalities at both venues, the impeccably impartial tones of pitchside announcer Dave Lockwood modestly hinted that Charlton were champions and, with rancour toward none, the faithful wholeheartedly saluted a team that simply refused to consider failure. The worry was all ours. They never doubted themselves. Let that be their lesson to us.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Wiggins, Wagstaff, Stephens, Pritchard, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Haynes 71). Not used: Sullivan, Taylor, Cook, N’Guessan. Booked: Wright-Phillips.

Wycombe: Bull, McCoy, Foster, Johnson, Basey (Dunne 85), Bloomfield, Eastmond, Lewis, Strevens, Grant, Beavon. Not used: Laing, Ainsworth, McClure, McNamee. Booked:

Referee: D. Sheldrake. Attendance: 18,539.

Carlisle United 0 Charlton 1 (Wright-Phillips 76).

Kevin Nolan reports from Brunton Park.

For the third time in living memory – at least the living memory of supporters of a certain vintage – Charlton clinched promotion at distant Brunton Park, home of Carlisle United. To the celebrations of 1981 and 1986 can now be added the wild jubilation which saluted the end of four agonising added minutes. A short pause to confirm that Sheffield Wednesday had indeed been held to a draw by Colchester United preceded joy unconfined. They’re used to playing second fiddle to it in these parts.

A single, 76th minute goal bundled in by Bradley Wright-Phillips added the crucial touch to a performance which fell far short of perfection but had just enough about it to edge them past play-off hopefuls Carlisle. And, frankly, after 43 exhausting tests of spirit and stamina, not one of their 903 ecstatic followers wasted breath in pining for quality. This magnificently defiant side was entitled to their thanks, gratitude and wholehearted commitment. The feeling was entirely mutual.

Wright-Phillips’ historic goal was simplicity itself and came as no surprise that it was scored from one of the setpieces which have proved so productive for the Addicks this season. Practice makes perfect and the left wing corner swung out by Johnnie Jackson was headed goalward by Yann Kermorgant but saved athletically by keeper Adam Collin. Trotting over to the right flank, where earlier he had been clearly irritated that Dale Stephens had been assigned flagkick duties, the skipper’s inswinging delivery was deliberately nodded back from the far post by Stephens, before being forced past Collin at close range by the predatory Wright-Phillips.

Pragmatic and ruthless, this solid display of teamwork nutshelled the the all-for-one, one-for all virtues of a truly remarkable outfit. Inevitable injuries and suspensions have been covered with seamless effiicency, no better example of which has been the outstanding contribution of Bradly Pritchard, as deputy for banned midfield workaholic Danny Hollands.

Busy, skilful, competitive, Pritchard didn’t put a foot wrong at the heart of Charlton’s engine room. Not a player to instantly catch the eye, his selfless, all-round effort, however, wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by a watchful management team. He set impossible standards for tackles successfully made, passes alertly intercepted and passes of his own accurately completed. His decision making was spot on and having secured a virtual unknown from Hayes & Yeading and watched him rapidly develop into an accomplished professional, Chris Powell positively purred with pleasure.

Pritchard’s excellence was hardly isolated. There isn’t room in this Charlton side for any player not prepared to do his bit for the cause. Unbeaten from open play in some 630 minutes since March 10th, underrated Ben Hamer continued his steady improvement while, in front of him, League One’s best back four registered their 20th clean sheet of a parsimonious season. A fluid midfield, which has weighed in with its fair share of goals, ensured a steady supply line from back to front, while three separate strikers have scored in three consecutive 1-0 wins.

It wouldn’t be Charlton, of course, if they didn’t subject their fervent fans here and huddled over their wirelesses back home, to almost ritual torture. Their failure to score until only a quarter hour from the end left them vulnerable to a mistake or unexpected moment of brilliance from their hosts. Their goals have dried up recently but they remain capable of ekeing out one when they need it most. But this promotion-clinching victory was based on the usual rock-solid, no-nonsense defending.

Unlucky to lose their top scorer Lee Miller last week, United had their moments, none more threatening than the subtle 18-yard shot curled past a transfixed Hamer by Lee Noble, which rebounded off a post in the 56th minute. Their escape concentrated the Addicks’ minds wonderfully and United were barely allowed a sniff of a further chance as the league leaders proceeded to dominate the second half. Jordan Cook did turn in the penalty area to fire over the bar but the home side’s threat gradually faded.

Put through by Kermorgant’s defence-splitting pass, after Pritchard’s ball-winning intervention, Wright-Phillips should have put the visitors in front but shot against the advancing Collin’s legs. Biding his time, though, the prolific sharpshooter wasn’t kept waiting long for the chance which he converted gleefully before heading over to the corner where his exuberant public awaited him. Kermorgant might have eliminated any late nerves when he stepped inside on to Stephens’ pass but saw his cleverly curled effort brilliantly saved by Collin. One goal proved enough, however, as it has done on eight occasions in 2011-12.

Wright-Phillips’ strike, meanwhile, meant that the most important item on Charlton’s agenda had been dealt with but until they deliver the League title, their race has not been run. England might not expect but many thousands of success-hungry acolytes certainly do. We will re-convene next Saturday in hope, not to mention expectation. Until, then, rejoice.

Carlisle: Collin, Simek, Livesey, Michalik, Murphy, Taiwo (Beck 82), Noble, McGovern (Welsh 82), Berrett, Cook (Madden 74), Zoko. Not used: Robson, Thirlwell.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Wiggins, N’Guessan (Wagstaff 62), Pritchard, Stephens, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Taylor 86). Not used: Sullivan, Hughes, Haynes.

Referee: D. Webb. Attendance: 6,625.

Charlton 1 (N’Guessan 35) Walsall 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Forty eight hours after limping away from a pitched battle in Oldham on a soggy old pitch which practically guaranteed a battle, Charlton were up to their necks in pressure from relegation haunted Walsall. And whaddya know, they dug in again, manned the trenches and emerged with a second 1-0 win of vital importance. Call it defiance, bloodymindedness, guts, call it anything you like but I go for “gumption”. It’s a lovely, old-fashioned word, ain’t it? Gumption, otherwise known as commonsense. Roll it around your tongue. Savour it. But only use it when it fits the bill.

The Addicks were up against it at The Valley on Easter Monday. Without midfield workhorse Danny Hollands and 100 percenter Scott Wagstaff, both sent off at Boundary Park by Pa Kettle, that hanging judge of a referee, demands were made on Chris Powell’s resourcefulness. The return of skipper Johnnie Jackson from injury was timely and he replaced Lee Cook on the left. Dany N’Guessan moved over to fill in for Wagstaff on the right flank, where he proved to be a roving revelation, while eager rookie Bradley Pritchard brought non-stop endeavour with him in covering Hollands’ absence in central midfield. Show Powell a gap and he plugs it. He’s a clever plugger.

Perched above the relegation trapdoor though they were, the Saddlers were hugely impressive. Keeping their shape admirably, they trusted their ability to play along the ground and enjoyed at least as much possession as their league leading hosts. Their Achilles heel, unfortunately, was an obvious lack of cutting edge up front. After Florent Cuvelier bounced an early shot wide and tricky customer Alex Nicholls blistered Ben Hamer’s hands with a ferociously angled drive before ten minutes had elapsed, their neat approach play achieved little end product. Not that Charlton could ever relax. That luxury was denied them by their persistent visitors. Every game takes more out of both players and fans. You should see my fingernails.

Allowing for the bitterness of defeat, Walsall boss Dean Smith was possibly a little carried away in claiming that his side had bossed virtually the whole game. His frustration also led him to label the free kick, from which N’Guessan headed the 35th minute winner as “soft”, a dopey footballing euphemism understood to mean “unjustified.” Let’s have a glance at the old notes here and see if we can clear it up for him. No, sorry, Smudger, it says here that your left back Mat Sadler blatantly fouled N’Guessan on the right touchline, some 60 yards, remember, from your technical area, and it was just your wretched luck that Mr. Phillips was better placed than you to catch him at it. The quality of Jackson’s wickedly inswinging free kick and the no-nonsense header from N’Guessan were, of course, beyond dispute, as no doubt you’ll concede. It’s without rancour that we remind you that games of football are decided by goals, not the promise of goals. It’s a sod sometimes but that’s just the way it is.

It helps enormously, of course, if you can also stop the other side scoring, something the Addicks have achieved on 19 occasions this season. In fact they have conceded only 31 goals in 42 games, which works out at, er, .75 per game or, put it another way, let’s see, 3/4 of a goal per 90 minutes. Do your own maths, I can take you only so far. Just don’t forget to carry the one.

The touchingly blinkered Smith probably doesn’t have a lot to worry about, based on the West Midlanders’ spirited display. We wish him well but here on this website, you’re naturally more interested in Charlton’s prospects. Well, very briefly, they’re looking up with four games to go. For the second time over Easter, Sheffield Wednesday were given the obvious advantage of kicking off before the league leaders. And for the second time, Powell’s wounded warriors held them at bay. Now nine points behind, Sheffield United play at Rochdale on Tuesday evening, which looks like a gimme but might not turn out to be. Catch these Addicks if you can.

Back to Easter Monday. It might be invidious to pick out individuals from an outstanding team display so we’ll firmly resist the temptation? Except to say that N’Guessan was terrific, as were the elegantly understated Dale Stephens and the wily coyote that is Chris Solly. Left back Rhoys Wiggins attacked as well as he defended, while centre backs Leon Cort and Michael Morrison were impregnable. Pritchard ably made up for Hollands’ absence, Jackson’s smooth influence was pervasive, strikers Yann Kermorgant and Bradley Wright-Phillips not quite at their impressive best but still a handful.

Substitutes Matt Taylor, Danny Haynes and Lee Cook did what was asked of them, with Haynes and Cook particularly adept at running down the clock, a practice which Smith cheerfully cited as proof of Charlton’s inferiority. But like I say, it wouldn’t do to pick out individuals, except to point out that Ben Hamer was mentioned in his manager’s post-game dispatches for a couple of key saves and generally sound handling. The ball boys all did well. Not to mention Erol Umit, whose expert gumption regularly pieced together Yann Kermorgant’s battered body. Jolly well done, all of you!

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins, N’Guessan (Cook 86), Pritchard, Stephens, Jackson (Taylor 90), Kemorgant, Wright-Phillips (Haynes 78). Not used: Sullivan, Hughes.

Walsall: Grof, Beevers, Butler, Smith, Sadler, Nicholls (Chambers 88), Cuvelier, Mantom, Hurst (Paterson 62), Macken (Bowerman 81), Ledesma. Not used: Walker, Lancashire.

Referee: D. Phillips.

Attendance: 15,253.

Oldham Athletic 0 Charlton 1 (Kermorgant 49).

Kevin Nolan reports from Boundary Park.

The first of three gruelling cross-Pennines treks which complete Charlton’s peregrinations up and down the green sward that is England, brought them to unlovely but loveable Oldham on Easter Saturday. The old town looked the same as they stepped down from the train, a battered relic of the palmy days when cotton was king, the mills were satanic and the exploited natives occasionally mutinous. They fought for their rights around these parts – Luddites, suffragettes and trade unionists among other turbulent protesters. Their legacy is everywhere.

On the face of it, Charlton’s assignment at dogeared Boundary Park didn’t seem too daunting. Out of touch with the play-offs but safe from relegation, the Latics suggested precisely the kind of obliging mid-table opposition promotion candidates dream about. The Addicks simply needed to slip into town, pick up the points and prepare for a much tougher Easter Monday task at home to relegation-haunted Walsall.

So much for expectations. The reality pitched Charlton into a riotous, titanic battle which featured three red cards and eleven yellow cards, besides raging fiercely until the last seconds of five added minutes ran out. And when this exercise in suffocating intensity finally ended, the nine-man visitors had clung to an uphill victory of inestimable value. Midway through a deceptively routine first half, to understate the case, that seemed unlikely.

The opening exchanges had been innocuous enough, with only an early chance missed by Scott Wagstaff and a caution issued to Jean Yves M’Voto for hacking down Yann Kermorgant, worthy of mention. Both Wagstaff and M’Voto were to feature heavily in later events.

A spirited but far from vicious encounter was beginning to settle down when deputy skipper Danny Hollands needlessly piled into Kieran Lee on the left touchline. Intent was irrelevant and a red card possibly justified. Deserved or not, the loss of their dynamic midfielder took the wind out of Charlton’s gathering sails in a game they simply had to win, with the hot breath of their relentless Sheffield pursuers singeing their neck. As they briefly wilted, M’Voto made it his business to generously even the odds no more than ten minutes later.

Apparently oblivious to his earlier yellow card, M’Voto again clattered into Kermorgant’s back, for the second time in the no-man’s land of the centre circle. His exagerrated disbelief when given his marching orders was comical – but hollow. The pendulum duly shifted in the league leaders’ favour.

Four minutes into the second half, M’Voto’s self-imposed absence in central defence returned to haunt the Lancastrians as Charlton grabbed the game’s only goal – and what a goal it was. Never reluctant to steam down the touchline, freewheeling left back Rhoys Wiggins was sent on his way by Dany N’Guessan’s astute pass and before running out of space at the corner flag, whipped over a juicy cross to the far post. Free from M’Voto’s attentions, Kermorgant stooped to guide a precise header beyond Dean Bouzanis’ left hand and give Oldham a lesson in devastating counter attacking.

Stung into reprisal, the Latics almost equalised immediately. A sweet exchange of passes between Robbie Simpson and Tom Adeyemi created room for the latter to shoot from 15 yards before the outstanding Leon Cort hurled himself into a key block. The big, commanding centre back repeated the feat in the closing stages to foil Adeyemi again.

A rousing game was rocketing along at breakneck speed when Wagstaff, already booked for tripping Harry Bunn, received a draconian yellow card from disciplinarian Trevor Kettle for a patently accidental foul on Dean Furman. Charlton’s hardworking wide man clearly slipped in challenging Furman, with a free kick no more than the Latics had coming. Once again, the pressure was on the visitors.

With the protection of Kermorgant’s priceless goal now the pressing priority, Matt Taylor was rushed in to complete a defiant back five as blocks, tackles and interceptions defied the desperate Latics. The thin red line wavered but held. They were magnificent.

Suspensions for Hollands (three games) and Wagstaff (one game) will hopefully be offset by the timely recovery from injury of captain Johnnie Jackson and the welcome return to fine form of Dale Stephens. Jackson’s leadership has been missed, while Stephens added genuine non-stop effort to his subtle skills. Chris Solly and Wiggins were again impeccable full backs, Cort overshadowed even the formidable Michael Morrison, whose last minute booking for a foul on substitute Oumare Tounkara was the act of a bone-weary player. Behind the best defence in League One, Ben Hamer put neither foot nor hand wrong. And no doubt, Bradley Wright-Phillips, an unused substitute at Boundary Park, will return refreshed to torment Walsall at The Valley on Monday. A little sleight-of-hand might be required but the gaps will be shored up by a squad whose watchword is never-say-die resilience. Depleted as they were, they had no right to win at Oldham. But win they did for a record-setting 14th time away from home. They’re quite a side.

Oldham: Bouzanis, Lee, Brown, M’Voto, Diallo (Tounkara 78), Morais (Hughes 84), Adeyemi, Furman, Simpson, Bunn (Tarkowski 42), Kuqi. Not used: Gerrard, M’Changama.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins, Wagstaff, Hollands, Stephens, Cook (Taylor 76), N’Guessan (Pritchard 70), Kermorgant. Not used: Sullivan, Jackson, Wright-Phillips.

Referee: Trevor Kettle.
Attendance: 3,641 (601 Charlton fans).

Charlton 2 (Wagstaff 7, N’Guessan 82) Leyton Orient 0

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Strong, committed and defiant, Leyton Orient ticked most of the boxes on the list of demands made of them by Charlton’s promotion rivals. Harbouring ambitions of becoming the first- and only – team to pull off a league double over the league leaders, they played some neat stuff, gave their hosts a few nervous moments and weren’t above putting it about, as five cautions for physical fouls testified.

The most important box, though, was ticked by Charlton, who bookended a solid, if sometimes nervy, performance, with goals seven minutes from the start and eight minutes from the end of a massively important game. Their victory held off their frustrated Sheffield pursuers by six (United) and eight points (Wednesday) respectively. If they can keep it together now, they will be crowned League One champions. But ifs, like ands, are about as much use as pots and pans as my Mum used to say.

Springing from the starting blocks, the Addicks clearly meant business and visiting goalkeeper Paul Rachubka’s heart was probably in his mouth when he clipped Bradley Wright-Philips as the fleetfooted striker rounded him in pursuit of Yann Kermorgant’s clever flick. Well up with the play, referee Mark Brown decided against a spotkick but was again ideally positioned to spot Ben Chorley’s crude foul on Kermorgant four minutes later.

This time the O’s were appropriately punished for their wrongdoing. Kermorgant regained his feet instantly to send left back Rhoys Wiggins careering down the left wing with a quickly taken free kick. Accelerating away from defender Scott Cuthbert, Wiggins fired over a low cross which Scott Wagstaff met crisply at the near post to celebrate his 22nd birthday with his fifth league goal of a start-stop-start again season. A more perfect launch pad was hard to imagine and Charlton appeared to have promptly punched home their advantage but Leon Cort was correctly adjudged to have handled Dale Stephens’ corner into the net, with Orient reasonably but vainly suggesting that a booking, not merely a lecture, should have been his reward.

With stylish ex-Addick Matt Spring pulling the constructive strings in midfield, the East Londoners gradually found their feet and it was from Spring’s free kick that Kermorgant conceded a left wing corner, swung in dangerously by Adam Reed to cause havoc in Charlton’s penalty area. Chorley’s ferocious shot was blocked on the line by a human wall formed by Wiggins and goalkeeper Ben Hamer and somehow the rebound was smuggled clear. Spring’s blistering 30-yard drive, saved magnificently at the second attempt, by Hamer, confirmed that Orient had recovered from their nightmare start and were firmly in contention.

A roistering first half continued with Cort glancing another of Stephens’ inswinging corner narrowly wide of the right post and concluded with David Mooney, one of four former Addicks starting for Orient, somehow escaping a booking for poleaxing Wagstaff with a hopelessly timed challenge on the right touchline. Eccentric Mr. Brown had seen enough by now, with substitute Syam Ben Youssef and Jimmy Smith earning bookings for reckless fouls on Lee Cook and the embattled Kermorgant respectively before the break.

An amazing point-blank double save by Rachubka from Wright-Phillips and Cook, following Danny Hollands’ long throw, kept Charlton at bay early in the second period, while their failure to add a second goal transmitted their on-field nerves to the ever-twitchy stands, where a molten mass of tension was already beginning to form. Their peace of mind was hardly helped by the sight of Kevin Lisbie popping up to nod Reed’s 68th minute corner narrowly wide or by the desperation with which Hollands hurled himself at Terrell Forbes’ cross to clear from Spring at the expense of a corner. Orient were hardly potent but an equaliser was still far from unlikely.

With a quarter hour left, Chris Powell’s introduction of loanee Dany N’Guessan for Wright-Phillips caused raised eyebrows, two of them not a million miles north of your reporter’s nose. Not for the first time in a hugely impressive first full season, however, the rookie manager trusted his instincts and routed his would-be critics. N’ Guessan had hardly touched the ball during some seven fruitless minutes when Cook, who had contributed some neat touches but nothing earth-shattering, picked up a throw from Wiggins, took two steps into space and delivered the kind of cross, for which the description “sumptuous” was intended. Rising above the stricken Forbes, N’Guessan did it complete justice with an emphatic header into the roof of Rachubka’s net.

That sudden whoosh of air was easily explained as the collective expulsion of breath being held by another excellent Valley crowd. Like their team, they’re standing their ground, paying their dues and praying unaplogetically that May 5th sees them bidding a less than fond farewell to this unforgiving division. We’re all in this together, you, me, the chaps from the Bullingdon Club.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins, Wagstaff, Hollands, Stephens, Cook (Green 87), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (N’Guessan 75). Not used: Sullivan, Taylor, Pritchard.

Orient: Rachubka, Cuthbert (Ben Youssef 31), Chorley, Leacock, Forbes, Porter (Andrew 82), Spring, Smith, Reed, Lisbie, Mooney (Cox 70). Not used: Laird, Taiwo.

Referee: Mark Brown. Attendance: 17,425.

N.B. No supporters of Leyton Orient were injured in the making of this report. Their feelings were scrupulously protected. Greenwich.co.uk accepts that the same claim cannot be made, in respect of the supporters of Huddersfield Town, Charlton Athletic’s opponents last week. Feathers were ruffled, angry words exchanged. We feel an apology is in order and proffer this one in a spirit of North-South rapprochement.

We are sorry you lost your temper and suggest you look for it in the same place as you last saw your sense of humour. We also share your embarrassment at Geoffrey Boycott’s claim to be Yorkshire-born and that most of the characters in Emmerdale appear to be Cockneys. We also stand ready to relay to Lancashire your remorse that the unpleasantness between you in the 15th century was all your fault. There was certainly no need for it. We need to get along together so don’t be strangers. Call us.

Huddersfield Town 1 (Rhodes 13,pen) Charlton 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from the Galpharm Stadium.

An incendiary game of numerous flashpoints, most of which involved embattled midfielder Darrel Russell, sent Charlton crashing to a first away league defeat of 2012. They departed West Yorkshire embittered about the part played by an East Yorkshireman in their downfall. And they had a point.

By any system of judgement, Carl Boyeson’s control of this vital promotion clash was appalling. It defies belief that the Hull born Tyke was even considered to referee a Yorkshire team with so much at stake. Unless, of course, we’re meant to assume that antipathy between East and West Yorkshire rules out any possibility of bias. Only joking, m’lud, but it shouldn’t be an issue, should it?

Mr. Boyeson’s first key decision effectively sealed the issue and it must be conceded unreservedly that this time his decision was correct.

Chasing back to challenge Gary Roberts as Town attacked their visitors on the break, Russell hunted down the winger, fell for his trickery as he twisted into the penalty area and left enough leg carelessly dangling to make Roberts’ fall dramatic. Prolific netbuster Jordan Rhodes calmly made it 32 league goal this season from the penalty spot.

As Charlton were beginning to recover from their nightmare start, Boyeson’ second pivotal decision before the interval was much less impressive. His inexplicable reluctance to punish a dreadful, studs-up challenge by Antony Kay on Scott Wagstaff in the centre circle poisoned this tense game’s atmosphere beyond recall. Backpedalling self-importantly from the scene of Kay’s crime, the official’s initial body language suggested that Kay was for the high jump. Surrounded by the perpetrator’s colleagues, however, Boyeson softened his stance, showed Kay neither yellow nor red but instead re-started the game with a bounce-ball, though not before booking Ben Hamer for dissent, an insignificant offence alongside the violence that prompted his outburst.

Early in the second half, Russell, who had been performing adequately enough in central midfield was fouled by Kay but re-acted senselessly in kicking out at his opponent as they tangled on the ground. A red card was another of Boyeson’s correct calls but Russell should have been accompanied off the field by Lee Novak, who used both hands to push him over again. “If you raise your hands you leave the referee with no option but to dismiss you”, that’s the mantra we’re regularly fed. Well, Mr. Boyeson succeeded in finding an option, which entailed turning a judicial blind eye to Novak’s offence. Be fair, though, he did book Kay for the original foul and, remarkably, awarded Charlton a free kick. So the Addicks emerged from the incident with at least a diluted dollop of justice.

Sandwiched between the sporadic mayhem, Charlton, even with ten men, were marginally the better team. Missing the ailing Yann Kermorgant’s creativity and aerial threat, they coped comfortably with the Terriers’ long ball tactics, while making few chances of their own.

In the early going, Hamer’s magnificent save from Rhodes stood out in the general mediocrity. From point-blank range, League One’s Player-of-the-Season was set up by Roberts, headed firmly but Hamer’s instinctive block foiled him. Rhodes also stabbed wide at the near post after Ward’s cross dropped amid flailing feet.

At the other end, Charlton were all too toothless. Michael Morrison glanced Danny Hollands’ centre wide, then Holland himself shot over the bar. During a late rally, Hollands crossed, Morrison nodded back from the far post but Leon Cort, despite an heroic effort, could do no better than head down into the turf and harmlessly over the bar.

Defeat increases the pressure on the stuttering Addicks. It’s essential that they climb out of the clutches of League One, which, for all the fancy spin, boils down to Division Three, before they become institutionalised in it. That’s precisely what happened to the freewheeling side of 1957-58, which mounted a brave effort to climb directly back to Division One (think Premiership) the season after they were relegated in 1956-57. A tempestuous, wildly entertaining effort ended in crushing anti-climax in the season’s last game on April 26th 1958, with 4-3 defeat by Blackburn Rovers, who leapfrogged the Addicks to join champions West Ham in the top flight. Over 56,000 hearts were broken on that fateful afternoon.

It’s fair to say that Charlton Athletic were shattered by their heroic failure. They subsequently endured seemingly endless seasons of yo-yoing between Divisions Two and Three until Lennie Lawrence hauled them back into Division One in 1986.
If we don’t learn from history, we’re doomed to repeat its mistakes. And 1957-58 hands us down a warning from history.
Failure this season is unthinkable. There might not be another chance half as golden as this one and it musn’t slip through Charlton’s fingers. The repercussions would dwarf those of 54 years ago. And some of us don’t have the time to wait it out again.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Hunt, Peter Clarke, Morrison, Tom Clarke, Roberts (Lee 69), Arismendi (Arfield 90), Kay (Gudjonsson 69), Ward, Rhodes, Novak. Not used: Bennett, Woods.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Wiggins, Wagstaff, Russell (sent off), Hollands, N’Guessan (Stephens 60), Hayes (Pritchard 81), Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Taylor, Cook.

Referee: Carl Boyeson. Attendance: 15,735.

Edit: This post was amended at 20.04 on Sunday 25th March.

Charlton 3 (N’Guessan 7, Wright-Phillips 60, Russell 90) Yeovil 0

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

At the fourth time of asking, Charlton resumed winning ways and stopped their recent blip becoming an expanding blot on their excellent record. They were never particularly convincing in beating in-form Yeovil but, as relieved boss Chris Powell was happy to remind pernickety critics, results are the be-all and end-all at this critical stage of the season.

Having rung the changes in a battleweary team, Powell was entitled to be pleased with the contributions made by the new blood. Even the happy gaffer, however, could hardly have predicted the immediate impact of loan signing Dany N’Guessan, who continued a penchant for debut goals for new clubs by
putting the Addicks ahead after just seven minutes.

The visitors seemed to have survived a fleeting scare when Bradley Wright-Phillips beat goalkeeper Sam Walker to Danny Hollands’ lofted pass but saw his improvised lob cleared over the left touchline. Accepting Rhoys Wiggins’ throw-in, N’Guessan cut in on his right foot before letting fly with a wickedly swerving delivery which started its journey as a cross but ended it by soaring through Walker’s hands into the top right corner. All obvious puns involving the scorer’s surname will, in this report, be resolutely resisted.

As a morale booster, N’Guessan’s early opener could scarcely have been bettered. Oddly enough, though, the over-anxious league leaders failed to build on their lucky break. Tension riddled every pass, every clearance was laboured. The Glovers were far from impressive themselves but were allowed back into a game that might otherwise have run away from them.They lived nervously when Yann Kermorgant began a lively shift by heading Chris Solly’s free kick wide and again when Scott Wagstaff charged down Dean Parrett’s botched free kick, broke clear but failed to pick out Wright-Phillips with a crucial pass. Town survived, then hit back.

Their first effort on target was a dangerous 25-yarder from midfielder Edward Upson which Ben Hamer saved at his right-hand post, at the expense of a corner. Hamer was called into action again by Parrett’s crisp daisycutter but coped at the second attempt. And when Jonathan Franks mugged Hollands into fouling him in perfect range for setpiece expert Gavin Williams, the free kick was sent wastefully over the bar.
An uncomfortable first half ended with Hollands heading Solly’s corner too high.

News that Sheffield United were annihilating recent Valley conquerors Notts County and that next Saturday’s opposition Huddersfield Town were in front at Chesterfield was balanced somewhat by the surprising problems Sheffield Wednesday were experiencing at home to lowly Walsall. They say you shouldn’t be worrying about other results but that’s a crock of horse manure. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t.

Back at The Valley, meanwhile, half-time substitute Bondz N’Gala, owner of a superb moniker, was making another name for himself. First he cleared off the line after Hollands’ long throw bounced through a crowd, presumably collecting a touch on its way to the far post, then smashed what appeared to be a point-blank equaliser at the other end until Hamer bravely and brilliantly parried.

A pent-up Valley was fretting restlessly as the hour mark approached but any side with Wright-Phillips leading its forward line stands half a chance of scoring. Wright-Phillips had worked hard without great effect but patience is second nature to the born predator. His reward arrived when Franks fouled Wagstaff and Wiggins deliberately zeroed the free kick on to Kermorgant’s head beyond the far post. The big Breton nodded square, the defensively outstanding Leon Cort luckily missed contact and there was Wright-Phillips, hardly likely to miss a free header from six yards. That’s 21 goals for a season blighted by an eleven game scoring drought. Very impressive.

Essential daylight had appeared between the teams, though Lawson D’Ath, set up by right back Luke Ayling, almost closed the gap immediately but was unlucky that his first-time effort rebounded off the bar. The Glovers’ bolt was shot but their cockahoop hosts weren’t quite finished yet.
An elusive handful, capable of popping up anywhere, Kermorgant capped an important performance with a key contribution to a third goal. His skilful chest control and fine pass set Wiggins on his way down the left flank, to carefully pick out Darrel Russell’s late run into the six-yard box. The left back’s measured ball was stabbed home by Russell to seal a deceptively comprehensive victory. But still a victory.

And they are priceless as promotion push becomes promotion shove.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Wiggins, Wagstaff, Hollands, Russell, N’Guessan (Green 74), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Taylor, Stephens, Pritchard.

Yeovil: Walker, Ayling, Huntington, Hinds (N’Gala 46), Grounds, Gavin Williams (D’Ath 45), Franks, Blizzard, Upson, Parrett (Agard 69), Andrew Williams. Not used: Stewart, Woods.

Referee: D.Coote. Attendance: 13,715.

Scunthorpe United 1 ( Parkin 21,pen) Charlton 1 (Wright-Phillips 6).

Kevin Nolan reports from Glanford Park.

Battleweary, disjointed and out of step with each other, Charlton are not so much charging into The Championship as sneaking up on its blind side. This scruffy, scrappy draw, in conjunction with favourable results elsewhere, could possibly be regarded as a lumbering step forward, not that there was much encouragement derived from their ponderous performance. Apart, that is, from a very useful point.

That modest return was assured by a 6th minute flash of pure quality that stood out among the depressing dross which followed it, like genuine wit from Jimmy Carr.
The well-documented woes endured by Bradley Wright-Phillips during an 11-game goal drought might have seriously undermined a weaker character but bolstered by the heartening support of management, teammates and supporters, the slim marksman soldiered through the growing pressure, kept his head and turned it around. Form, they say, is temporary, while class is permanent. His scoreless slump was ended when notching Charlton’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Stevenage on February 25th, since when five more goals, including a career-first hat-trick at Chesterfield, have rippled the net in as many games.

Wright-Phillips’ 20th goal of the season was the work of a confident, back-in-the-groove player, on whose finishing skills the Addicks will be heavily dependent down the promotion home stretch. The approach play wasn’t bad, either, a sharp give-and-go between Scott Wagstaff and Yann Kermorgant tearing holes in United’s left flank. Wagstaff emerged goalside of left back Jamie Reckord and provided a short pass which Wright-Phillips drove crisply inside the right post.

Off to the best of starts, the visitors looked likely to double their advantage with Rhoys Wiggins testing the reflexes of Sam Slocombe and Danny Hollands volleying narrowly over the bar after Slocombe punched out Wiggins’ cross. But their bright start was derailed by another of those errors which have recently plagued a previously impregnable defence. There was no immediate danger as Garry Thompson eluded Wiggins to drill in a low centre which was destined for Ben Hamer’s hands until Michael Morrison ignored his keeper’s loud call and intervened to needlessly return the ball to the winger’s feet. Caught on the back foot, Wiggins pursued Thompson along the byline before chopping him down at the near post. Mammoth journeyman Jon Parkin made short work of converting the penalty.

Pegged back after 21 promising minutes, the wind had effectively been taken from the Addicks’ sails. The initiative was seized by the Iron, who pushed the league leaders back and with wide men Thompson and Andy Barcham prominent, dominated possession. Thompson set up Parkin to shoot wide of the left post, before Wiggins heroically blocked Thompson’s vicious volley. In the throes of a busy afternoon, Wiggins somehow turned a miscued shot from Thompson into the hands of a startled Hamer.

With Scunthorpe in complete charge, Mark Duffy cut in from the right; his cross cleared Damien Mozika’s head but Parkin half-volleyed wastefully over the bar. Charlton were at sixes and sevens again when Barcham ran at the heart of their defence, left Morrison and Matt Taylor in a slipping, sliding mess and shot low for the left corner; at full length, Hamer saved brilliantly. Barcham tried again with a cleverly curled effort but Hamer stood firm again. Surprisingly nimble for his hulking size, Parkin then dribbled through but was hustled into prodding wide under concerted pressure.

The best chance of the second half, ironically, fell to the beleaguered Addicks. Kermorgant leapt prodigiously at the far post to nod down to Wagstaff, unmarked no more than six yards out, but the over-eager wide man clumsily scuffed the chance into Slocombe’s waiting hands.

As news filtered through that second-placed Sheffield United were having problems of their own with Tranmere Rovers, a dogged draw became a valuable result, one which left Charlton still clinging to their nine-point lead at the top. That cold statistic will comfort increasingly careworn manager Chris Powell – plus satisfaction at least that his decision to prefer Darrel Russell’s selfless industry over Dale Stephens’ more cerebral talents was vindicated by the replacement’s energetic contribution. Russell was undoubtedly favoured by this course and distance, a consideration shrewdly recognised by Charlton’s rookie gaffer. He’ll need to hold his nerve as the finishing line approaches. Somehow you feel he will.

Scunthorpe: Slocombe, Byrne, Mirfin, Reid, Reckord, Thompson (Robertson 69), Mozika, Walker, Barcham, Duffy, Parkin. Not used: Lillis, Nolan, O’Connor, Ryan.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Wagstaff, Hollands, Russell, Jackson (Green 84), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Stephens, Pritchard, Cort.

Referee: Robert Lewis. Attendance: 4,544.

Charlton 2 (Wright-Phillips 50, Wagstaff 55) Notts County 4 (Judge 16, Forte 18,35,40).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

A horror story of a first half condemned Charlton to a second successive home defeat, their spirited recovery after the break useful only in staving off complete humiliation. So solid and organised defensively throughout a triumphant season, they uncharacteristically fell apart as Notts County moved effortlessly into a four-goal lead, from which, despite a morale-restoring fightback, there was to be no return.

Thunderstruck gaffer Chris Powell cut briskly through the “ifs, buts and maybes” in his post-game analysis of the disaster, declaring that the first period capitulation “will live long in my memory as manager of this football club because it’s something rare in the game.” Containing his obvious anger, he confirmed that “stern words were a gimme at half-time- it wasn’t as if I was going to offer them a cup of tea. That’s not going to happen, not at all. The phrase “pretty poor” is an understatement.”

The self-destruction which stripped Powell of his usual sang-froid was started, it must be admitted, by a fine 16th minute strike. Wide midfielder Alan Judge posed no immediate threat when he turned sharply on to a loose ball outside the penalty area. Swiftly sizing up his options, however, the former Blackburn Rovers academy graduate plumped for a fine right-footed shot inside the left post, leaving Ben Hamer helpless to intervene. His devastating opener stirred recent memories of Anthony Wordsworth’s equally impressive goal for Colchester in midweek. Both unchallenged, different foot, different corner, same sickening effect on Charlton.

Two minutes later, Judge broke clear down the left, with right back Chris Solly lured out of position, to cross hard and low into the six-yard box, where Southampton loanee Jonathan Forte untidily scrambled home the Magpies’ second. Far and away the best defence in League One had been breached twice already. They were in for further shocks before facing their manager, without so much as a cuppa guaranteed.

Some order appeared to have been restored until Hamer and Matt Taylor indecisively converged on a hopeful ball forward, with Forte in optimistic pursuit. Taylor might have bashed it clear, Hamer should have shown more determination in taking charge of the awkward situation; defensive communciation was non-existent as Forte, without pausing to look into the gift horse’s mouth, resolved their Chuckle Brothers’ “to you…to me” dilemma by toe-ending into an empty net. The Addicks were careering heedlessly down the road to oblivion. Five minutes before the interval they pushed the pedal to the floor.

Creative playmaker Jeff Hughes had been at the heart of County’s smooth play, with an astute repertoire of short and long passing. Drifting into space on the right, his tailored cross left unmarked Forte the simple task of completing his hat-trick with a close range header. As he made purposefully for the dressing room, Powell clearly wasn’t intent on putting the kettle on.

Nothing had been seen of the Addicks during their first half implosion, apart from Johnnie Jackson’s point-blank overhead effort at keeper Stuart Nelson and a booking for Yann Kermorgant’s deliberate handling of Scott Wagstaff’s cross.They could hardly fail to improve on a woeful display, though 13th minute substitute Wagstaff’s badly ballooned shot from Dale Stephens’ careful cutback didn’t encourage immediate hope.

An early breakthrough was essential and Nelson’s wildly unnecessary slice for a left wing corner began the process. Stephens’ inswinging delivery was tipped out to the right touchline by Nelson, where it was retrieved by Michael Morrison, who set up Wagstaff’s instant cross. Wright-Phillips’ legitimate aerial challenge on the suddenly jumpy keeper kept the ball alive for the prolific scorer to claim his 19th goal of the season with an acrobatic overhead shot.

After another defensive mix-up, this one an impromptu bout of chest-tennis between Hamer and Morrison, was luckily resolved, a second goal hinted at a recovery of heroic proportions. Always an effective crosser of a ball, Wright-Phillips produced a right-wing beauty for a diving Wagstaff to bravely nod past Nelson at the near post, pausing only for a brief exchange of opinions with the irritated keeper before fleeing the scene.

Before the hour, Wright-Phillips broke momentarily clear on to Jackson’s flick but was hauled down by Damion Stewart in the penalty area. Referee Malone stood firm against desperate home appeals, as he did later when Kermorgant’s bicycle kick cannoned off a Magpie’s claw. A third goal would, of course, have made the situation interesting but Powell was having none of any referee-baiting. He knew that his side’s downfall was self-inflicted and not remotely a consequence of official incompetence.
Re-asserting their grip, bang-in-form County efficiently saw out modest pressure on their way to consolidating a play-off spot. Beaten but thankful not to be routed, it remains to be seen whether these back-to-back losses prove to be the start of a tailspin for Charlton. Neither the league title nor automatic promotion are certain but their lead at the top is still healthy. The going is suddenly tough. We’re about to find out how tough. And if the Addicks are tough enough to get going again.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Haynes (Wagstaff 13), Hollands, Stephens, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Cort, Russell, Clarke.

Notts County: Nelson, Freeman, Chilvers, Stewart, Sheehan, Judge (Burgess 82), J. Hughes, Mahon, Bishop, Harley (Bencherif 60), Forte (Demontagnac 82). Not used: Burch, Edwards.

Charlton 0 Colchester United 2 (Wordsworth 4, Gillespie 73).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

An ardous two-games-per-week schedule caught up with Charlton at The Valley, where Colchester not only avenged their 2-0 home defeat in August but destroyed the Addicks’ unbeaten record in S.E.7. Having luckily squeaked a vital last minute win at Bournemouth on Saturday, the league leaders had little left in the tank, an observation which takes nothing away from in-form United’s battling victory.

Conceding an opening goal after just four minutes was hardly the start recommended to a somewhat stuttering side but there could be few complaints concerning the quality of Anthony Wordsworth’s strike. There might, however be training ground questions asked about the wisdom of allowing the unmarked midfielder time and space to line up an unchallenged shot from 25yards. Well known for his left-footed prowess, Wordsworth had only shooting on his mind as he turned on to an innocuous ball, a few paces carrying him into range for a sumptuous drive into the top right corner. Completely beaten by placement and power, Ben Hamer stood no chance, despite scattered criticism that he was at fault. Much later, however, his 73rd minute howler rubberstamped Charlton’s first home defeat.

The sole virtue of Wordsworth’s bombshell, from the Addicks’ point of view, was that they were left with almost an entire game to recover. Though never entirely convincing, they made a fair fist of it, top scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips seeing a shot deflected off target after Yann Kermorgant headed down Danny Green’s accurate cross; in quick succession, Dale Stephens’ half-volleyed snapshot suffered the same fate and Green’s fierce drive forced keeper Ben Williams into a two-handed block.

With the home side continuing on top, their best chance fell to Johnnie Jackson. Set up in his favoured left channel by Chris Solly’s determined run and defence-splitting pass, the skipper’s faulty first touch hurried him into a rising effort over the bar. United’s defensive determination, meanwhile, was exemplified by yet another flying block, which sent Danny Hollands’ volley to safety. Charlton’s long, fruitless evening was well under way by the time Rhoys Wiggins broke along the left touchline on to Hamer’s laser-guided clearance to centre for Wright-Phillips, who screwed an awkward shot wide of the far post with his less trusty left foot.

Before the interval, the luckless Wright-Phillips closed in as Jackson headed Hollands’ cross back from the far post but scraped an improvised effort over the bar. His frustration increased when he was bundled off another half chance by a posse of defenders.

Having recovered from a goal behind on several occasions at The Valley, Charlton kept their heads and continued to press after the break. A great low centre from Jackson was met by Hollands’ shot on the turn, only for an inevitable block to divert the goalbound effort off target. Next to try his luck was again Wright-Phillips, whose angled drive was turned behind by the full-length Williams. Kermorgant then glanced Jackson’s free kick narrowly wide. The one-way traffic seemed to have achieved its purpose at last when Jackson’s cross picked out Kermorgant beyond the far post but the Frenchman lost his balance and almost comically handled.

Almost entirely occupied with defending – something they did with great spirit – the Us relieved the pressure through Steven Gillespie, whom turned on to a half chance to test Hamer. The same pair clashed again almost immediately to contrasting effect as the visitors doubled their lead in bizarre circumstances. Optimistically closing Hamer down as he prepared to clear, Gillespie forced the keeper on to his left foot, gambled on an all-or-nothing block and was gratified to watch the ball balloon up into an unguarded net. Colchester had the security they needed.

The disappointment of Charlton’s first loss in 12 games since New Years Eve was pleasantly mitigated by news that hapless Sheffield United had suffered their second defeat in three days to leave them 13 points behind in second place, with a game in hand. Their hapless pursuers are practically queuing up to protect the Addicks’ lead at the top. The priority now will be to bounce back against play-off hopefuls Notts County at The Valley on Saturday, something they’ve done following each of their previous two setbacks. This one has been on its way for some time because you can’t win – or draw – them all. It won’t make them panic. So keep the faith.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green (Haynes 73), Hollands, Stephens, Jackson (Clarke 86), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Cort, Russell.

Colchester: Williams, Wilson, Okuonghae, Eastman, White, Henderson, Rowlands (Bond 83), Izzet, Wordsworth, Gillespie (Duguid 90), Odejayi. Not used: Rose, Heath, Sears.

Referee: G. Ward. Attendance: 13,650.