Charlton 1 (Sordell 58) Notts Forest 1 (Reid 2).
Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.
This cocklewarming performance by resurgent Charlton swept away the gloom enveloping The Valley, following three dispiriting defeats. More composed finishing might even have improved the mood further but recovery sometimes starts with the smallest of steps. We’ll know more when Blackpool hit town on Saturday.
For the time being, the Addicks are entitled to savour a hugely encouraging evening, one they began disastrously by surrendering a potentially morale-destroying goal after just two minutes.
It seemed obvious, even to the tactically naive, that with the winklepicking left foot of Andy Reid in Forest’s line-up, the concession of needless free kicks in Charlton’s defensive third should be kept to a minimum. No doubt Chris Powell had drummed home this message but the exuberance of youth betrayed Jordan Cousins, who carelessly nudged Reid in contesting an innocuous ball near the right touchline. The Irish visionary promptly used the opportunity to swing over a deceptively swirling delivery, which embarrassed a poorly positioned Ben Hamer on its way into the top left corner of his net.
If Cousins was crestfallen, it didn’t show. He buckled down immediately with a magnificent contribution to Charlton’s recovery. Not 20 until March, he showed the confidence, not to mention the swagger, of a seasoned pro. There’s the body language of Steven Gerrard about him, with his ability to pass accurately short or long, a willingness to shoulder personal responsibility and based on the late drive which unluckily rattled the woodwork, power in his shooting boots. This kid’s on his way up so let’s enjoy him while we can.
Alongside Cousins, Dale Stephens continued his steady return to form, while full backs Rhoys Wiggins and Lawrie Wilson were rampaging raiders along the flanks. They were the stand-out quartet but every member of this depleted side earned credit for digging down into reserves of pride to deliver for a boss who, God knows, deserves no less.
But, oh, those missed chances! In the first half alone, the profigacy began with Wiggins’ deflected cross looping up conveniently for Simon Church, who headed awkwardly down into the turf and allowed Karl Darlow time to gratefully turn the effort over the bar; Church’s challenge for a Mark Gower centre made space for Stephens’ powder puff tap into Darlow’s arms; Church then made a mess of converting the rebound after Darlow superbly parried Stephens’ rocket, with Stephens’ follow-up attempt shaving an upright.
All through an exciting first half, the Addicks were driven on by a solidly supportive crowd, at the heart of which the North Stand stayed fanatically committed. The ball was either sucked or blown towards Forest’s goal and, three minutes after the break, the sideline heroes were rewarded by an overdue equaliser.
Charlton’s early build-up was, frankly, inelegant, with Callum Harriott’s wildly miscued shot whistling untouched in the direction of the far touchline. Staying alert to its possibilities, Wilson kept the move alive by retrieving the loose ball to square intelligently for Marvin Sordell to shoot home on the turn.
Clearly unwilling to settle for a useful draw, Charlton hunted down their rattled visitors. Harriott’s raking low cross barely eluded a sliding Richard Wood at the far post, Sordell twisted sharply to shoot narrowly wide, before Cousins’ ferocious effort almost uprooted a post, following Stephens’ inswinging corner. It was one-way traffic with Forest struggling to survive and lucky to do so.
Church’s limping withdrawal at least allowed young Joe Pigott to shake off the unwarranted criticism which marred his full league debut against Millwall and show character with a spirited cameo. And there was still time for Cousins to crown a stirring display by sliding in fearlessly to block Chris Cohen’s point-blank “sure thing.”
If Forest have been largely ignored in this account, they will be consoled by the addition of a valuable point to their promotion push. And I hope they won’t mind me calling them “Notts Forest”, a liberty for which some outraged Trentsider put me in my place last season (that was actually fine by me because I quite like living in London). Apparently it’s “Nottingham Forest”, “pronounced “Nott-num Forest”. It’s OK to call the other team “Notts County” but not “Nottingham” or even “Nott-num County”. I’m getting a bit bogged down by apostrophes so talk among yourselves while I disentangle myself.
Anyway, where were we? Oh yeah, I remember. No offence, pal, but cobblers. Everyone in the country calls “Notts Forest” ” Notts Forest”. I mean, we don’t go around calling ourselves “Charlt-un” Athletic”, do we? Well, we do sometimes but only among ourselves. Notts Forest. Slips off the tongue. With or without apostrophes.
Gosh, I hope I haven’t gone too far. That bloke was really annoyed and we’ve got to play them away yet. It’s only our little joke, mate.
Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Wood, Wiggins, Gower (Hughes 74), Stephens, Cousins, Harriott (Dervite 90), Church (Pigott 78), Sordell. Not used: Alnwick, Evina, Cook, Stewart.
Forest: Darlow, Lichaj, Collins, Hobbs, Lansbury, Chalobah (Harding 55), Cohen, Mackie, Reid, Blackstock (Henderson 70), Derbyshire (Cox 55). Not used: DeVries, Halford, Jara, Abdoun.
Referee: Fred Graham. Att: 15,587.
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