Charlton 2 (Dervite 63, Obika 90) Wolves 1 (Doyle 66).
Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.
For the second home game running, Jonathan Obika climbed off the bench to turn what seemed destined to be a disappointing 1-1 draw into an important 2-1 victory. Leeds United were his victims two weeks ago in the last of five added minutes; this time the impact sub was at it again a little earlier to sicken relegation haunted Wolves in the last seconds of regulation time.
So often on the receiving end themselves this season, Charlton -and especially Obika- are finally getting the hang of the last punch knockout. Well, nearly last punch because on this occasion there were still six extra minutes to negotiate, a task they sailed through with minimum fuss. That’s something else they’ve professionally mastered on their way to a thoroughly satisfactory ninth position.
Obika’s inelegant winner settled this scruffy clash as the fourth official was preparing his added time board. The spadework was provided by Yann Kermorgant’s delicate flick and Callum Harriott’s nicely timed pass to Rhoys Wiggins; the rampaging left back’s turn of pace to the left byline was rounded off by his low cutback for Danny Green to shoot optimistically. A helpful deflection sent the ball spinning wide of the left post, where Obika was perfectly postioned to drill a firm drive into the bottom corner.
This particularly disheartening defeat leaves Wolves teetering on the edge of a second successive relegation, an unthinkable fate for a club with such unimpeachable pedigree. Riddled by injuries to key players and lacking, through suspension for this key game, the vital midfield bite of Jamie O’Hara, the weakened Midlanders seemed there for the taking by in-form Charlton. That’s not the way it worked out because the Addicks were unable to reproduce the intensity which has driven them through a well-timed five-game unbeaten streak. But they won and winning when you are not at your best is a priceless knack.
A patchy first half was illuminated only by a brief flash of inspiration involving rookie Harriott and veteran Ricardo Fuller, both of whom were upstaged by a moment of breathtaking audacity from Wolves’ spiky skipper Karl Henry.
Just turned 19, Harriott is too young to be afraid of failure, his confidence remaining undimmed by the occasional knockback. Embarking on an electrifying solo run which carried him through a series of tackles, the kid respectfully unloaded a short pass for Fuller, 14 years his senior, to carry on the good work. Stepping inside from left to right, the seasoned pro unleashed a vicious shot which a surprised Dorus De Vries managed to beat away with both hands.
Henry’s contribution was more spectacular. Controlling a lofted clearance on his chest near the centre circle, the rangy midfielder let fly uninhibitedly on the volley from some 45 yards. His long range missile soared over Ben Hamer, possibly struggling for vision against a glaring sun, but rebounded to safety off the crossbar. That’s how your luck goes when you’re struggling at the bottom of any league. And in this unforgiving dog-eat-dog Championship, you need any and every break going.
The 12th minute loss withdrawal of talisman Andy Hughes, meanwhile, had broken manager Chris Powell’s recent run of luck with injuries. The loss of his captain Johnnie Jackson shortly after the interval was equally problematic but the Addicks’s response to adversity was encouraging. It was Jackson’s replacement Green, in fact, who was instrumental in Charlton’s breakthrough.
Gifted the ball by a wayward pass from Tongo Doumbia, the winger hesitated before shooting but earned himself a right wing corner off a desperate defender. His flagkick was cleared back to him, his return cross deflected behind for a second corner, which caused untold mayhem in the six-yard box. Fuller tried his luck before Dervite cleared up the debris by ramming home his third goal of the season from three yards. An untidy goal entirely befitting a similarly untidy game, it was, nonetheless, greeted ecstatically by a crowd captivated by Powell’s bonny bunch of battlers.
Charlton’s lead, unfortunately, lasted only three minutes, because almost before you could say Jack Robinson, the defender’s huge throw was flicked on by Roger Johnson and glanced in off the base of the right post by Kevin Doyle.
With an invaluable point in their grasp, Wolves promptly chose the wrong time to wobble. Kaspar Gorkss’ booking for fouling Green launched a quickfire spate of four cautions, the last of them meted out to Stephen Hunt for an ugly challenge on Hamer, which re-awakened memories of his infamous clash with Petr Cech (a case where, to be fair, the put-upon Hunt presented a valid case for innocence). But not this time.
Their loss of discipline was to catch up with the increasingly desperate visitors. For up stepped Jonathan-come-lately Obika to break their hearts. That trek back to the Black Country looks like ending in the horror that is League One. You wouldn’t wish it on your most bitter enemies….yeah, you would.
Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.
Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Dervite, Morrison, Wiggins, Hughes (Gower 12) Pritchard, Jackson (Green 62), Harriott, Kermorgant, Fuller (Obika 81). Not used: Button, Taylor, Kerkar, Wilson.
Wolves: De Vries, Doherty, Johnson, Robinson, Gorkss, Hunt (Hamill 86), Henry, Sigurdarson, Doumbia, Ward (Batth 90) Doyle. Not used: McCarey, Dicko, Foley, Cassidy, McAlinden. Booked: Gorkss, Doherty, Sigurdarson, Hunt.
Referee: Roger East. Att: 19,023.