Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Doncaster (26/11/13)

Charlton 2 (Stephens 39, Church 60) Doncaster Rovers 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Recalling their miserable experience almost exactly three months ago, it was easy to understand Doncaster Rovers’ obvious reluctance to repeat this fixture. Put yourself in their place – The Valley was the last place they wanted to be on one of these cold, cheerless November evenings. But that’s how it goes. You have to deal with it. Which they didn’t. They were technically present but they didn’t turn up.

To recap the circumstances for readers oblivious to the fortunes of Doncaster and Charlton, Rovers were leading 3-1 when an unseasonal deluge caused the game on August 31st to be abandoned at half-time. Their position wasn’t quite as strong as the scoreline suggests because they had been reduced to ten men and had their 3-0 lead reduced by Simon Church’s goal shortly before the interval. An awkward second half awaited them but you’d have to say their prospects were promising.

None of which counted for much second time around. Despite missing numerous chances, Charlton exploited their second bite at the cherry to cruise home comfortably. Possibly feeling sorry for themselves, Donny lost by a racing distance .
In managing to double their home wins this season, Charlton were confident and assured enough to toy with their visitors. Only one minute had elapsed when Lawrie Wilson’s impudently contrived chip sent Church in to face Ross Turnbull in the first of their two critical one-on-one confrontations. The striker’s first touch was immaculate but his low right-footed shot scudded wide of the target.

Undeterred by the miss, the Addicks swarmed all over their visitors. A quickthinking dummy by Dale Stephens over Rhoys Wiggins’ low cross provided Yann Kermorgant with the space he needed to beat Turnbull with a crisp snapshot which rebounded off a post.

Dummies were clearly in vogue with Kermorgant’s instinctive deception setting up Johnnie Jackson to unleash a full-blooded rocket. Turnbull reacted superbly to touch the effort over the bar though, as it turned out, the defiant keeper had merely delayed the inevitable. Six minutes before the break, the Addicks grabbed an overdue lead with another candidate for their goal-of-the season competition.

Adjusting his feet perfectly as Bongani Khumalo’s looping header (always direct your defensive headers away to the side of your goal, kids) cleared Cameron Stewart’s centre to him outside the penalty area, Stephens sent an expertly cushioned volley dipping neatly into the top left corner. The legality of the goal seemed unimpeachable but Donny boss Paul Dickov questioned it anyway.

On his sunniest day, Dickov seems a punchline short of a good laugh but his passionate protests to fourth official Kelly were sincere. Something about offside during the build-up apparently. To be fair, the feisty boss’s eventual acceptance of Charlton’s superiority was graceful and he won press room friends with his restraint and dignity. Never thought I’d hear myself saying that.

Football’s accepted wisdom, despite Doncaster’s passivity, demanded a clinching goal and Federico Macheda fired a warning shot across the home team’s bows with a twisting, turning run, which he ended with a fierce drive narrowly over the bar. There was little else to recommend the South Yorkshiremen and the chances continued to arrive -and be missed – by the home side.

Church failed by agonising inches to convert Stewart’s searching cross, then Wilson forced a fine flying save from Turnbull, with the excellent Jordan Cousins drilling the rebound too high. But on the hour, Church sealed the issue.
Jackson’s precisely measured pass sent the gutsy Welshman sprinting through a square defence to confront Turnbull again. Holding off his pursuers, he kept his nerve, shot on the run as the keeper narrowed the angle and found the left corner off the base of the left post.

With the visitors showing signs of collapse, Stewart’s ferocious shooting came into its own. His left-footed drive produced yet another fine save from Turnbull before this two-sided player used his other foot to crash another cannonball against the bar. Five minutes from time, Charlton’s debutant keeper Ben Alnwick (pronounced Al-ick , we’re reliably informed), who had replaced warm-up injury victim Ben Hamer shortly before kick-off, registered his first genuine save for the club by spectacularly turning aside substitute Theo Robinson’s corner-bound drive.

Routine though it turned out to be, this was a vital victory for Charlton. Once again, a defence which has conceded only 19 goals in 16 league games, did its bit and on this occasion was supported by a display of bright, uninhibited attacking. Must do better with their chance-taking, it’s true, but there’s renewed optimism around the club these days. Anyone would think it’s for sale.

Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins, Stewart (Green 90), Stephens, Cousins, Jackson (Hughes 90), Church (Sordell 81), Kermorgant. Not used: Pigott, Evina, Harriott, Wood.

Referee: S. Hooper. Att: 14,140.