Welling United 0 Charlton 5 (Pigott 2, 14, 38, Kermorgant 40, Green (pen) 83.
Kevin Nolan reports from Park View Road.
This sports-daft nation of ours had almost more than it could handle over the weekend as the thrills came thick and fast. Be fair, it was hard to keep up with the drama.
First there was the rare pleasure of watching the Aussies being chewed up and spat out by rugby’s Welsh Lions (helped out here and there by the occasional foreigner). My personal highlight actually arrived a week earlier when George North slung that large Antipodean over his shoulder, briefly forgot he was there but remembered in time that the rules called for him to set the poor sod down gently and make him a nice cup of tea. George was an absolute gent about it.
A brief pause to catch the breath before, a little over 24 hours later, Andy Murray squared off with Novak Djokovic -as they seem destined to do regularly in the immediate future- at Wimbledon. Apparently 77 years of hurt were ended by Andy’s thoroughly deserved victory, although I can honestly say I haven’t been personally suffering. Until I recalled that I’d backed him to win in four sets. Not his fault, though, it’s down to that bloody Djokovic not being able to put his name on even one set.
But sandwiched between the starters and the afters came the piece de resistance when Charlton popped up in the usual, chaotic, sundazed conditions of Park View Road to fulfil their annual commitment to swell Welling United’s coffers. A surprisingly fit-looking complement of 22 players was divided into two 45-minute teams and recorded victories of 4-0 and 1-0 respectively over the last year’s Blue Square South champions.
The first of the sides – one which, with a tweak or two- shapes up as Chris Powell’s preferred selection, brushed aside the somewhat outclassed Wings. A sharp hat-trick from young Joe Pigott launched Charlton’s new campaign and served notice that if the club’s finances shackle Powell’s activities in the transfer market, last season’s triumphant U-21 squad might pick up some of the slack.
Pigott’s genuine hat-trick of three consecutive goals featured a shrewd lob, a raking low drive and still another clever lob. All of his goals were assisted by Yann Kermorgant, who added a ruthless fourth before the interval. An injury to the talismanic Frenchman doesn’t bear thinking about.
Worthy of mention also were impressive goalkeeper Nick Pope and confident left back Morgan Fox, both ambitious teammates of Pigott in Nathan Jones’ talented, trophy-winning team. Standing up for the veterans, Chris Solly resumed in exactly his fine form of last season, skipper Johnnie Jackson exuded authority in central midfield and the insatiably hardworking Bradley Pritchard warmed the cockles with his selfless industry.
Almost predictably, Charlton’s “second string” struggled to maintain the momentum in the second half. In fact the pick of the Addicks was keeper David Button, who produced two fine saves from Lee Clark and Kiernan Hughes-Mason, then rode his luck as Joe Healy’s header rebounded off the bar. Only Danny Green’s successful penalty, awarded for Blaine Hudson’s handball relieved the tedium. Still, 5-0 away from home- it was almost like playing Barnsley. Not nearly as memorable, of course.
Now for the Ashes on Wednesday at Trent Bridge, where England will have to go it alone without any Welshmen (but plenty of former colonials) in their line-up. It seemed a bit of a stroll just a couple of weeks ago but the Aussies have pulled themselves together and are looking all leathery and lantern-jawed again. If nothing else, we’ll be reminded that 20-20 should never be confused with cricket.
Charlton (first half 4-4-2): Pope, Solly, Wood, Morrison, Fox, Pritchard, Jackson, Hughes, Harriott, Pigott, Kermorgant.
Charlton (2nd half 4-5-1): Button, Wilson, Dervite, Cort, Evina, Green, Stephens, Gower, Hollands, Cook, Smith.
Referee: Ian Crouch.
Att: 2,140.
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