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.

Bournemouth 0 Charlton 1 (Kermorgant 90).

Kevin Nolan reports from Dean Court.

As this scruffy, scoreless game lurched into three added minutes, it seemed that a corner hustled off Simon Francis by Rhoys Wiggins gave Charlton an ideal opportunity to wind down the clock en route to an increasingly important point. The bush telegraph was already buzzing with the news that the Addicks’ nearest promotion rivals were enduring late nightmares of their own elsewhere. An exacting, laborious afternoon was suddenly working out not too badly at all. But it was about to get dramatically better.

A succession of left wing inswingers from Danny Green hadn’t unduly troubled Bournemouth’s well organised defence but his latest and last delivery brought with it sudden mayhem to the Cherries’ six-yard box. Touched on by Danny Haynes, it was nodded goalward by Yann Kermorgant’s head through a madding crowd of striving bodies, was disconcertingly swung at and missed by Johnnie Jackson, then squirted clearly over the goalline. An instantly flagging linesman confirmed referee Oliver Langford’s decision to award a goal that all but propels Charlton into The Championship. With luck like this, they can hardly fail to make it. Just don’t expect them to apologise for what can only be described as legal robbery.

An unrecognisable shadow of the City slickers who dismantled Chesterfield on Tuesday, Charlton had struggled to make any impression on stubborn Bournemouth. Operating in pleasantly sylvan surroundings, with bowling greens, cricket pavilions and rugby pitches clustered around them, these streetwise Cherries are nobody’s mugs. A mere stone’s throw from Thomas Hardy’s vividly etched Wessex heaths, they might be cultural miles from the dockside likes of Tranmere and Hartlepool but they’re hard as nails. And since coming to the conclusion that posh Boscombe wasn’t pulling its weight, AFC Bournemouth have gone it alone for the better. They still harbour faint hopes of making the play-offs, though this wretchedly unlucky defeat hasn’t helped their cause.

Claiming that the home side was unlucky doesn’t automatically imply that their visitors were outrageously fortunate. Not a bit of it. Off colour, jaded and leg weary though they were, Charlton stuck together, endured and stayed in a drab contest until making the most of one of their rare chances. It wasn’t elegant but it’s no accident that they have regularly pulled off results like this one all season. With experts predicting an inevitable slide, their bloodyminded refusal to buckle has sustained them while those around them have faltered. For a study in team spirit, look no further than Charlton Athletic 2011-12.

A dreadful first half was shaded by Lee Bradbury’s men. They came close to grabbing the lead when top scorer Wes Brown slid in at the far post to connect with Scott Malone’s hard low cross but scraped the outside of Ben Hamer’s left post. In reply, a finely judged pass from ex-Cherry Danny Hollands sent Bradley Wright-Phillips sprinting clear of marker Miles Addison but his low angled drive was comfortably dealt with by Daryl Flahavan. Hollands was generously welcomed back to Dean Court, or Seward Stadium as it’s needlessly re-named, while the every touch of Wiggins, another Bournemouth old boy, was roundly booed. A football crowd is among the strangest of animals. Sensibly ignoring them, Wiggins stayed sound as a pound.

Genuine livewires but lacking edge up front, The Cherries continued to press, with Shaun McDonald’s snaps hot dangerously clearing the crossbar. Malone was an elusive wide man but the consistent Chris Solly contained him magnificently. Solly exceeded his brief shortly before the break with a superb recovery tackle to stop Wes Fogden in his tracks. That Charlton’s full backs are the best in Division One is beyond discussion.

On the end, no doubt, of a harsh word or two from management, the Addicks improved in the second period. When Malone tripped Green, Jackson’s cutely angled free kick set up Green to shoot ferociously from the edge of the penalty area. Seeing the ball late, Darryl Flahavan saved brilliantly. Back came the South Coasters, with Morgan heading Francis’ precise cross narrowly wide, before former Charlton youth graduate Harry Arter came within inches of notching a fine late goal. Leaving several tiring opponents in his wake, he ended a terrific solo run with a crisp low drive, which beat John Sullivan, a 70th minute substitute for ankle injury victim Hamer, but slipped agonisingly past the post. That was it, so it seemed, but there was one last twist in this game’s tale.

As Wiggins embarked on his lung-bursting late run to earn his crucial corner, Charlton’s pursuers were simultaneously collapsing like dominoes in various parts of the country. Even a point would have been more than useful but fate had singled them out for its special favour. This was their day. And it just doesn’t get any better than this day. The uproarious eruption around the away dug-out left no doubt about that. But with Colchester visiting The Valley on Tuesday evening, there’s little or no time to savour it. Tuesday’s a new day.

Bournemouth: Flahavan, Francis, Cook, Addison, Daniels, Fogden (Stockley 90), Arter, MacDonald, Malone (Tubbs 82), McDermott, Thomas. Not used: Gregory, Zubar, Cooper.

Charlton: Hamer (Sullivan 70), Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Stephens, Jackson (Russell 90), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Haynes 82). Not used: Cort, Clarke.

Referee: Oliver Langford. Attendance: 8,034.

Chesterfield 0 Charlton 4 (Wright-Phillips 41, 56, Jackson 59, Trotman o.g. 67).

Kevin Nolan reports from the B2net Stadium.

Showing ruthless effficiency, Charlton kept their title bandwagon rolling with this smoothly executed demolition of relegation haunted Chesterfield. The Spireites were expertly softened up in a one-way first half, before being sunk without trace in the second period. A boxing referee might have stepped in before the end to spare the poor so-and-soes unnecessary punishment.

It was natural that Charlton’s 710 travelling fans approached the city of the crooked spire cautiously. Any scenario featuring top against bottom contains within it the obvious banana skin cliche. Not in the least bit interested in old wives’ tales, these so-modern Addicks simply gobbled up Chesterfield, banana, skin and all. There was never any doubt that they would.

And if, admittedly, the Derbyshire side were among the poorest opposition Charlton have faced this season, that takes nothing away from their commanding performance. From back to front, every player did his duty, none more so than the sometimes awesome Chris Solly and, even more pleasingly, Danny Green, who showed how devastating he can be. Yann Kermorgant wasn’t too bad, either, while Bradley Wright-Phillips followed up Saturday’s ice-breaker against Stevenage with his 16th and 17th goals of the campaign. There were even faint claims that he’d notched the first hat-trick of his career but they fell on stony ground. It was defender Neal Trotman who turned in Green’s 67th minute cross.

His confidence boosted by his long-awaited breakthrough three days previously, Wright-Phillips was clearly keen to capitalise on his change of fortune. So it says much for his mental strength that he succeeded in putting behind him a disastrous early miss. Clean through as Kermorgant flicked on Ben Hamer’s huge clearance, the slim sharpshooter momentarily rounded keeper Tommy Lee but stumbled over the ball in the act of shooting. It took character to recover from that embarrassment.

Kermorgant, meanwhile, was his usual menacing self. His far post header sent Johnnie Jackson’s inswinging corner skidding narrowly wide. He popped up at the same post minutes later to connect with Green’s delightful cross but a textbook downward header was marvellously saved at full length by Lee.
It was all Charlton, their overwhelming superiority interrupted only by a rare Chesterfield break, in which Liam Ridehalgh set up Jordan Bowery to test Hamer. When Nicky Ajose fired dangerously wide, there were signs that the Blues were on the road to recovery. That impression was rudely dispelled, four minutes before the interval, by Wright-Phillips’ opener.

Sheer pugnacity from Solly won the ball in midfield and created space for Green to chip over Lee, not the biggest of League One keepers. A slight deflection turned probable cross into lethal shot but ricocheted off the underside of the bar. From two feet, Wright-Phillips was unlikely to bungle the rebound.

Completely on top but not yet out of sight, the rampant visitors nonchalantly applied the finishing touches to their record-equalling 12th away win of the season with three rapid-fire second half goals. In scoring the first, Wright-Phillips might or might not have been offside as he swivelled on to Jackson’s miscued drive but the sideways-on volley he rifled past Lee from 12 yards was the instinctive work of a striker dramatically back to form.
Three minutes later, Chesterfield’s misery was heightened by a third setback. A restless bundle of energy, Solly turned Ridehalgh inside out before rolling a carefully measured pass back for Jackson to find the bottom right corner with his less favoured right foot.

Doing as they pleased by now, the Addicks poured on the agony. A fine, blood-twisting run by Green was capped by a low, driven centre which was turned past Lee by Trotman, with Wright-Phillips in watchful attendance. The striker’s sheepish “celebration” rather gave the game away, not that the visiting hordes behind the goal were having any of it. Once again, they insisted in song that “Bradley Wright Phillips… is better than Shaun.” Maybe. Maybe not. One thing is certain. Bradley is a sung hero.

Gamely, the Spireites kept going to the end. Bowery headed against the bar, with substitute Leon Cort throwing himself heedlessly in front of Alex Mendy’s follow-up. And in added time, Danny Whittaker’s curling drive forced Hamer’s only meaningful save. A 12th clean sheet was obviously a priority for the Addicks bang in-form keeper.

The benefits of such an easy victory could have profound implications for the title run-in. Having experienced recent difficulty in getting the better of one lowly side after another, Charlton reminded themselves – and us – that they are the best side in League One. That hardly entitles them to saunter to the finishing line but it does provide them with the confidence of knowing that there isn’t a side which can live with them when they hit their stride. There may be the odd misstep on the way but the Addicks are on their way out of League One. By the right exit door, more to the point.

Chesterfield: Lee, Ford, Trotman, Thompson, Ridehalgh, Westcarr (Mendy 62), Davis, Allott, Bowery, Lester (Whittaker 66), Not used: Fleming, Smith, Boden.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison (Cort 68), Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Stephens, Jackson (Haynes 78), Wright-Phillips, Kermorgant (Haynes 78). Not used: Sullivan, Russell.

Referee: Colin Webster. Attendance: 6,405.

Charlton 2 (Morrison 49, Wright-Phillips 64) Stevenage 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

It seems like yesterday that Charlton were in the Premier League, while Stevenage Borough, nee Stevenage Town but recently re-branded as Stevenage FC (it seems only a matter of time before they call themselves “Steve”) were plotting their meteoric rise from The Conference. Yesterday was five years ago, to be precise.

The first of only two teams to have beaten the Addicks in the league this season, Stevenage’s achievements have been phenomenal. Two consecutive promotions have catapulted them into League One, from which they are making a bold bid to pass straight through into The Championship via the play-offs. Like ’em for their chutzpah or loathe ’em for their iconoclastic impudence, the Hertfordshire arrivistes are here to stay or, at least, until their bubble bursts. The latter is probably more likely.

Rarely have visitors to The Valley been awaited with such trepidation by the locals. Battered into submission at Broadhall Way in October, admittedly by a treacherously deflected Stacy Long drive, Charlton were braced for more of the same. On that wretched occasion, Chris Powell might feel, in retrospect, that his decision to tinker with his defence in a bid to protect diminutive right back Chris Solly from Stevenage’s aerial bombardment was a tactical faux pas. The initiative was passed to the hosts and they duly edged a miserable game of head tennis. Powell’s men have nursed a sense of grievance since that chastening defeat. Revenge, some four months later, was a dish served – and enjoyed – with cold relish.

There was little about the admirably well behaved visitors to trouble Charlton on Saturday. Forget the narrowness of the scoreline. Stevenage were outclassed, even outmuscled, beaten out of sight by a side without a single weakness.

Back from the migraine which caused him to miss Tuesday’s disappointing draw with Rochdale, the impeccable Solly was part of an immaculate back four, with centre backs Michael Morrison and Matt Taylor impassable and Rhoys Wiggins in buccaneering form, which considers it an affont to concede a goal. Behind them, steadily improving Ben Hamer quietly registered his 11th clean sheet of the season.

In midfield, the Addicks lacked for nothing. A newly motivated Danny Green showed why he continues to keep Scott Wagstaff out of the team, Danny Hollands soldiered through his usual work quota, Dale Stephens established himself as the side’s best passer, while skipper Johnnie Jackson returned from a brief injury absence to add his almost indispensable leadership to the cause.

Up front, Yann Kermorgant and Bradley Wright-Phillips tore their opposition to shreds. With Kermorgant providing the ammuntion, Wright-Phillips missed several chances but brought the house down by ending his tortuous 11-game scoring drought. Their movement and anticipation were too much for a defence which had allowed only four more goals (27) than parsimonious Charlton.

The Kermorgant-Wright-Phillips combination bubbled menacingly during a first half, which Stevenage opened and closed by missing two reasonable chances of their own. As early as the second minute, ex-Addick Lawrie Wilson lobbed tamely into Hamer’s hands from close range; in added time, Wilson fed Long, who found unmarked Luke Freeman at the far post but the youngster’s volley scarcely troubled Hamer. Not much else was heard from the visitors. Charlton, meanwhile, were merely toying with their prey. It was time to make their move.

Just four minutes after the interval, a quite spectacular strike by Morrison broke the quasi-deadlock. Biding his time at the edge of the penalty area as Hollands threw in long from the left touchline, the rugged defender chested down a scuffed clearance, stumbled slightly but used the momentum to smash an unstoppable drive into the top right corner. A packed away end was happily protected by Chris Day’s net.

Shortly after the hour, Wright-Phillips scored surely the most popular goal of the campaign. Played into space on the right by Stephens’ perfectly weighted pass, he shot instinctively across Day and found the net off the desperately retreating Jon Ashton’s leg. Celebrations were many and mighty among both overjoyed colleagues and a bumper crowd which had kept faith with their profligate son.

Prompted by Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips went looking for more but found, in the defiant Day, an opponent of quality. On two occasions the keeper came out on top of one-on-one confrontations, on a third he saved smartly from the striker’s crisp low shot. Each chance was created by the magnificent Kermorgant, whose airborne prowess is enhanced by underrated ability on the deck.

With Stevenage put in their place,the Addicks face only one more date with top-six opposition (at Huddersfield on March 24th). More’s the pity, really, because their record against their nearest promotion rivals is hugely impressive. From nine games, they have collected 22 of their current total of 72 points. They have nothing to fear in this division except, as Franklin Delano Roosevelt warned, fear itself. Suddenly Tuesday night’s assignment at rock-bottom Chesterfield seems fraught with danger. Nah, only joking! It should be OK.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Stephens, Jackson (Haynes 81), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Pritchard 89). Not used: Sullivan, Cort, Clarke.

Stevenage: Day, Henry, Roberts, Ashton (Aneke 75), Laird, Wilson, Bostwick, Long (Myrie-Williams 67), Byrom, Freeman, Beardsley (Charles 22). Not used: Julian, Cowan.

Referee: C. Pawson. Attendance: 26,546.

Charlton 1 (Kermorgant 57) Rochdale (Adams 53).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

The once smooth progress of Charlton towards the Championship has slowed recently to an leadenfooted shuffle. This third 1-1 stalemate in four league games reduced their lead at the top of League One to seven points over second placed Sheffield United, who now have a game in hand. It’s always tough at the top. And it promises to get tougher, with uncompromising Stevenage next up at The Valley on Saturday.

In each of the three draws, the Addicks have fallen behind, before coming up with second half equalisers. That speaks volumes for their spirit but leaves unanswered, awkward questions about their inability to dominate the modest likes of Bury, Tranmere and, on Tuesday, Rochdale. They are looking decidedly shopworn. Still unbeaten in 2012, however, they plough on remorselessly under gathering pressure.

Averaging approximately a goal per game since the New Year, Charlton have resourcefully made the most of each precious strike. The goal which pegged back capable Rochdale was not only a beauty but ended an eight-game sequence, during which none of their forwards has found the net.

Scoreless since he converted a superb free kick on Boxing Day at Yeovil, Yann Kermorgant has plugged away gamely but lucklessly, his endless stream of cleverly headed flicks almost wilfully ignored by his strike partners. Chances have been few but when centre back Kevin Long was suckered into fouling the combative Breton ten yards outside the penalty area, the buzz of anticipation was palpable. And the crowd’s expectation was vindicated as Kermorgant curled an unstoppable free kick into the top left corner, the same spot picked out last Thursday by Oliver Muldoon to knock cocky Spurs out of the Youth Cup. Setpieces are clearly an important part of the coaching agenda at Sparrows Lane.

Having surrendered the lead they had taken just four minutes previously, second-from-bottom ‘Dale might reasonably have been expected to buckle. Not a bit of it. They persevered with the patient pass-and move game which had served them well and gave almost as good as they got during the remaining half hour. They deserved the point they worked so hard and skilfully to earn.

Forced into change by the continuing absence of inspirational skipper Johnnie Jackson and the last minute illness of outstanding right back Chris Solly, the Addicks lined up lopsidedly with left back Rhoys Wiggins moving across to replace Solly and Cedric Evina slotting in for Wiggins. Danny Green again filled in for Jackson on the left flank, while Bradley Pritchard stepped into Green’s right wing role. Bradley Wright-Phillips was a seamless replacement for hamstring victim Danny Haynes in partnership with Kermorgant up front. The impression was of a make-do-and-mend side doing their best to paper over unavoidable cracks. But that unquenchable spirit sustained them again.

A mildly critical Valley shifted uncomfortably during an uneventful first half of honest endeavour and slender achievement. Wright-Phillips, despite his long scoring drought, was his side’s likeliest scorer and was barely beaten to Wiggins’ lofted pass by alert keeper Peter Kurucz. A reminder of his lethal ability was then provided by the raking, low drive, following Kermorgant’s astute lay-off, which beat Kurucz but missed the left post by a whisker. By the time Wright-Phillips’ header from Green’s cross was smartly saved by the Hungarian keeper, the uncomfortable feeling grew that this was to be another fruitless outing for the goal-starved striker. Being bundled off Evina’s unselfish cutback hardly improved mood. Fortunately for Charlton, his hard-grafting colleague was due a change of luck.

Sensing their high-flying hosts’ nervousness, Rochdale had their first half moments, with Gary Jones’ shot deflected narrowly wide and Dale Stephens forced to head Jason Kennedy’s centre too close to his own bar for his peace of mind. Unconvincing though they were, it was still a mild shock when the league leaders fell behind eight minutes after the interval.

Caught pushing anxiously forward, Charlton were outnumbered in a three-on-two break led by Welshman Nicky Adams, who exchanged passes with Jones to his right before managing a scuffed shot on the run. A helpful deflection off Wiggins wrongfooted Ben Hamer on its treacherous way inside the right post, to the unrestrained joy of 121 intrepid wayfarers from Greater Manchester. The Addicks were up against it again but their despair was shortlived, thanks to Kermorgant’s moment of pure magic.

Galvanised by their instant equaliser, the home side had the better of the remaining chances. Stephens drove menacingly wide, before Kurucz produced a magnificent save to keep out Kermorgant’s far post header from Pritchard’s perfect cross. Kurucz continued his defiance with an instinctive close range block from Kermorgant after Stephens’ corner created chaos. At the other end, Wiggins produced a desperate last ditch block to foil substitute Joe Thompson, with Michael Symes bending the loose ball wide. It wasn’t impressive, Lord knows, but another small step forward was taken on Tuesday evening. Charlton aren’t exactly sprinting to the line but it’s getting closer all the time. Stay with ’em, these gutsy geezers are worth the effort.

Charlton: Hamer, Wiggins, Morrison, Taylor, Evina (Cort 82), Pritchard, Hollands, Stephens, Green (Wagstaff 65), Wright-Phillips (Clarke 72). Not used: Sullivan, Hayes.

Rochdale: Kurucz, Darby, Amankwaah, Long, Widdowson, Adams (Thompson 82), Kennedy Barry-Murphy, Jones, Jordan, Symes. Not used: Lucas, Grimes, Tutte, Holden. Booked: Long.

Referee: F. Graham. Attendance: 15,067.

Tranmere Rovers 1 (Brunt 33) Charlton 1 (Morrison 60).

Kevin Nolan reports from Prenton Park.

Like postmen persecuted by a persistently baleful mutt, Charlton just can’t shake off Tranmere Rovers. No matter how hard they struggle to outwit dogged Rovers, nothing works. They still end up with their teeth buried in their socks. This fifth consecutive 1-1 draw between the sides was easily the most predictable result on the English football coupons on Saturday.
Uncomplicated and unsophisticated, the Wirralsiders make no secret of either their intention or tactics. They get stuck into an unapologetically direct game, with the ball moved aerially from back to front, with minimum risk of interception. They don’t score many goals (31 now in 31 games) but keep it tight defensively (36 goals conceded, only 12 of them at home). This latest 1-1- draw was a dot on the cards.

Grateful for their point at The Valley in October, Charlton again started sluggishly and found themselves a goal down at the interval. Once again there was an element of luck about their equaliser though, to be fair, they finished strongly and did enough to share the spoils. Long before the final whistle, Owen Fon Williams acknowledged as much, with an overdue booking for his delaying tactics. Some of these League One keepers could teach procrastination a thing or two about thieving time.

Not that Tranmere were unworthy of their point. They rushed their table-topping visitors out of their stride in an error-strewn first half and but for Ben Hamer’s brilliant goalkeeping, they might have put this game out of Charlton’s reach by half-time.

Young loanee Ryan Brunt, operating alone up front, was Hamer’s first victim. Meeting Martin Devaney’s accurate cross at the far post, Brunt directed a text-book downard header which was sneaking inside the left post until Hamer scrambled desperately across his line to save. As it turned out, his first goal in league football had been only briefly delayed.
Without injured skipper Johnnie Jackson and with Danny Haynes making his first start in place of Bradley Wright-Phillips, Charlton struggled to secure a foothold in a game already threatening to drift away from them. Yann Kermorgant was given their best chance by Owen Fon Williams’ miskicked clearance but was unable to beat the backtracking keeper from distance. Mere minutes later, Rovers took the lead.

Breaking quickly after Danny Hollands’ pass was intercepted, Devaney made tracks in the inside right channel before trying his luck right-footed on the run. Reacting alertly to his blocked effort, he teed up an overhead effort which eluded a forest of legs before being turned into the bottom left corner by the faintest of touches from Brunt. A thoroughly dismal half could hardly end soon enough for the visitors.

Not surprisingly, the Addicks improved after the break. Hollands should have equalised but placed his close range header too close to Fon Williams, who parried smartly. Haynes then wriggled through a posse of defenders, only to be crowded out in the act of shooting. But Charlton weren’t kept waiting long for equality.

A string of corners helped apply pressure on Rovers, with Dale Stephens swinging them in dangerously from the right. On the hour, Michael Morrison powerfully headed Stephens’ latest delivery against the crossbar before launching a one-man appeal that the ball had bounced down over Fon Williams’ line. Much to his delight and Rovers’ dismay, referee Andy Haines and his eagle-eyed linesman agreed. Charlton were level and the momentum shifted behind them.

Though deflated, the home side were far from finished. A swirling free kick from Adam McGurk (scorer of Tranmere’s goal at The Valley) caught a favourable breeze before being touched on to the bar by Hamer, who then excelled himself by leaving his line alertly to foil McGurk, who had been sent clear by a quickly taken free kick.

A much livelier second period gathered pace with Hollands awkwardly kneeing a difficult chance over the bar and, at the other end, Robbie Weir forcing a fine save from Hamer with a crisp snapshot. The end-to-end exchanges continued as Danny Green’s perceptive pass provided the overlapping Rhoys Wiggins with space to cross on the run. Arriving beyond the far post, Kermorgant made a hash of his volleyed effort.

Having replaced apparent hamstring victim Haynes, Wright-Phillips’ search for a drought-busting goal duly resumed. The sharpshooter was no doubt thankful for the offside flag which spared his blushes for a horrendous miss from two yards. Undaunted, he tried again but nodded Green’s cross too high, then turned provider with a juicy centre of his own which Kermorgant also wasted. Once prolific, the hapless strikers can’t buy a goal between them at present. They just need to hang in there. Every dog has its day, as Charlton find to their cost every time they tangle with Tranmere Rovers.

Tranmere: Fon Williams, Holmes, Goodison, Taylor, Buchanan, Devaney, McGurk (Akins 83), Weir, Wallace, Welsh, Brunt (Tiryaki 85). Not used: Labadie, McChrystal, Coughlin. Booked: Fon Williams.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Pritchard, Hollands, Stephens, Green, Haynes (Wright-Phillips 56), Kermorgant. Not used: Sullivan, Wagstaff, Cort, Clarke. Booked: Hamer.

Referee: Andy Haines.