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Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Plymouth Argyle (22/09/2018)

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Charlton 2 (Grant 12,88) Plymouth Argyle 1 (Carey 9).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

After coming of age just four days before this game, Karlan Grant rubberstamped his 21st birthday with two vital goals to drag Charlton across the line to victory over stubborn Plymouth Argyle at a rainsoaked Valley. Having made his debut as far back as September 2014, the young Academy graduate seems to have been around forever but it's his dramatic improvement during the last few months which has been particularly gratifying for his New Eltham mentors. There was always a bona-fide player lurking behind the often diffident novice and he's finally emerged from his shell. Karlan's a born-again Addick.

A freescoring loan spell with Crawley Town towards the end of last season sent the young striker back to Charlton brimming with new confidence. Hitting the ground running - and- scoring- under new manager Lee Bowyer's nurturing eye since this campaign kicked off, Grant has formed one half of a potent partnership with Lyle Taylor, which guarantees problems for League One defences. Possibly removing the weight of "Ahearne" from his back and going single-barrelled did the trick. Hopefully, it catches on among all the ersatz public schoolboys currently cluttering our teamsheets.

Grant's first goal was particularly timely coming, as it did, just three minutes after the injury-hit Pilgrims had silenced the home tribunes by grabbing a shock lead. He was artfully goalhanging under the crossbar when Jason Pearce's cushioning header of Ben Reeves' outswinging corner from the left reached him; swivelling balletically, he ruthlessly hooked the ball into the net. Though there was a frustrating wait in store for his second goal, the equaliser took the immediate wind from the Westcountrymen's sails. They really needed to consolidate their early advantage until at least the interval. Not that they didn't give a spirited account of themselves during the long struggle separating Grant's goals.

A cagey opening had sprung into life when Graham Carey, Argyle's midfield driving force, headed the visitors in front. The spadework for his chance was provided by Ruben Lameiras' sharp pass out to Joel Grant on the left flank and continued by an accurate cross, delivered right-footed by the Jamaican international and nodded neatly into the bottom left corner by Carey. Painful questions might be asked about the inability of the normally impeccable Chris Solly to close down Grant's space and of momentarily switched-off Lewis Page for allowing Carey to brush past him to steal the yard he needed in making telling contact with the wideman's inviting centre.

A prompt riposte was demanded of the Addicks and Grant's fourth goal of the season cut the mustard perfectly. It was never going to be easy to break Plymouth's toe-to-toe resistance thereafter but the momentum had shifted in favour of Bowyer's eager beavers. Enjoying his best performance in the red shirt, Reeves began to show the class which, to be fair to him, was recognised by Karl Robinson at MK Dons. Alongside him, Joe Aribo, until he faded somewhat, made his usual prodigious contribution, while Josh Cullen's Scott Parker-like quality was again obvious. With pugnacious Jamie Ward beginning to settle in and Billy Clarke on his way back, Bowyer seems satisfactorily stocked in midfield. And up front, of course, in the prolific partnership of Grant and Lyle Taylor he has the means to frighten defences at this level.

It was Taylor, foraging in the right channel, whose shrewd pass played Solly into unaccustomed penalty area territory five minutes from the break. Diligently tracking the adventurous right back's run, Antoni Sarcevic's lunging challenge from behind was both ill-advised and illegal. Handed the opportunity to punish the offence from the spot, Taylor was instead foiled by Matt Macey, who brilliantly fingertipped his shot against the bar. With Grant unable to turn in the rebound from an acute angle, Argyle had been spared to fight on. Grant might find solace in accepting that if there's ever a good time to miss a penalty, it's in an ultimately winning cause.

Prior to the interval, the lanky Macey again distinguished himself with a double save to deny first Ward, then Grant from the ensuing rebound. Ten minutes following resumption, Joel Grant came close to rubbing salt into Charlton's wounds with a shot which deflected wickedly to safety off the bar. But by then the traffic was flowing in one direction, with Page and Aribo denied by emergency blocks before Taylor's electric burst was blunted by Peter Grant's heroic intervention; Grant shot wildly wide with Taylor better placed, then Page's effort looped off Ryan Edwards but harmlessly against the left upright. It seemed that the Pilgrims would be progressing home with a valuable point when, in the 88th minute, their brave defensive wall was breached.

Switching to the left, Reeves stepped inside to launch one more cross towards the far post. Competing with Yann Song'o in the air, Igor Vetokele managed enough contact to keep the ball alive, his touch all Grant needed to bury the matchwinner through a spreadeagled Green army and to break the hearts of 1013 long-distance commuters watching in horror from behind the far goal. Those broken hearts soon joined home hearts in their mouths as substitute David Fox comprehensively beat Jed Steer with a right-footed cannonball which took the paint off the left post, rebounded off the barrier back into the safe part of the sidenet, meanwhile fooling one and all that he had scored. Seconds later, the three added minutes, which served as a rebuke to the visitors for their flagrant time wasting, came to an end and Charlton's latest walk on the wild side was over. Call 'em what you like but don't dare call 'em boring!

Charlton: Steer, Solly, Pearce, Sarr, Page, Cullen, Aribo, Ward (Vetokele 81), Reeves, Grant, Taylor. Not used: Phillips, Dijksteel, Marshall, Morgan, Ajose, Lapslie. Booked: Taylor.

Plymouth: Macey, Smith-Brown, Wootton (Peter Grant 38), Edwards, Sawyer (Wylde 46), Songo'o, Carey, Sarcevic (Fox 53), Joel Grant, Lameiras, Ladapo. Not used: Letheren, O'Keefe, Dyson, Fletcher.

Referee: Dean Whitestone. Att: 10,818 (1013 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Wycombe (8/9/2018)

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Charlton 3 (Jombatti 31 o.g, Taylor 70, Sarr 80) Wycombe 2 (Williams 6, Cowan-Hall 89).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

While the off-field struggle for Charlton's soul rages on amid tales of vindictive economies designed apparently to demoralise a dwindling staff, Lee Bowyer's squad continues to scrap for him like junkyard dogs. Winning ugly is what the newly-appointed manager called this victory over spirited and slightly unlucky Wycombe but beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder. This one, while unlovely to the aesthetes, made handsome viewing for the philistines.

Behind early on to Randell Williams' cleverly taken goal, Bowyer's babes shook off the blow, stuck together and fought back. Rising above the spiteful ploys of an owner who hasn't been seen in South East London since 2014 in a stadium which, frankly, could do with a good wash, they prevailed over likeable Gareth Ainsworth's visitors from the less than football-daft county of Buckinghamshire.

During the opening half hour of a first half mostly dominated by Wycombe, Charlton's prospects seemed unpromising. They had yet to switch on when Jason McCarthy's alert throw-in made space for Curtis Thompson to set up a shooting chance for Williams. From just outside the penalty area, the Watford loanee found the bottom left corner with an effort containing just enough curl to beat the full length dive of debutant Jed Steer, whose first meaningful touch as an Addick was to fish the ball out of his net. Behind the far goal, the celebrations of over 1,000 Chairboys and, of course, Chairgirls chortled their surprise and delight. In the home tribunes, meanwhile, the murmur of growing irritation swelled.

It was important, of course, not to fall further in arrears, a disaster which Steer's save from Williams' header and the block made by Patrick Bauer to keep out Bryn Morris's rebound attempt, narrowly averted. Gaining a tentative foothold in a game already passing them by, Charlton turned it on its head with an equaliser featuring good play and equally good fortune.

Described by Bowyer as the best crosser in the club, aggressive wingback Lewis Page was given the opportunity to justify his gaffer's accolade when found by Lyle Taylor on the left flank. Brushing past Dominic Gape's challenge, Page whipped over a hard, low centre designed to cause panic in Wanderers' six-yard area. Sliding in to deal with the danger, Sido Jombatti inadvertently slashed the ball into his own net.

Relieved to be level, Charlton were suddenly favourites to win. Before the break, Nicky Ajose's adroit pass sent Karlan Grant through to confront keeper Ryan Allsop, who won their one-on-one duel by blocking the dramatically improved forward's shot with his legs. The pressure was now on the visitors and Taylor's spectacular overhead shot, engineered for him by Grant's fine work on the right, grazed the crossbar.

The regular concession of needless free kicks dangerously close to the penalty area was Bowyer's main concern, with Joe Jacobson's low free kick early in the second half threaded through the wall but fielded competently by Steer. It was the early introduction of Ben Reeves and George Lapslie, however, which sealed Wycombe's fate. Reeves replaced the off-colour Ajose while Lapslie stepped up for Darren Pratley, booked for the second successive week for a cynical foul on Williams. Both substitutes made game-changing contributions, Reeves with his perceptive link-up vision, Lapslie with his usual combination of indefatigable industry and often overlooked skill.

The Chairboys were far from finished, though, and when Millwall loan signing Fred Onyedinma's header, from Jacobson's cross, bypassed Steer, Bauer was on hand to clear off the line. At the other end, Bauer met Lapslie's inviting delivery but headed over the bar before Allsop kept his side level by beating Taylor to Steer's huge punt as it cleared Jombatti's straining head, surviving a painful collision to clear the danger.

Eventually the Addicks broke Wycombe's resistance with a pair of close range finishes. The first was plotted by Joe Aribo's pass to Grant, whose turn of speed prised the visitors open through the left channel. The speedster's low centre was returned beyond the far post by Bauer and forced home from a yard out by Taylor. The clinching goal - or so it seemed at the time - was claimed by Naby Sarr, who bullied Reeves' astute free kick over the line at the second attempt. With only 10 minutes left, that appeared to be that.

Not a bit of it, as it turned out. Seconds before regulation time expired, lively substitute Paris Cowan-Hall's terrific header powered Jacobson's outswinging left wing corner past Steer. Five added minutes were immediately advertised, bringing with them their customary angst and torment. To be honest, you're better off looking elsewhere for an accurate report of the final knockings because your normally cool, urbane reporter spent them in a steadily subsiding position under his press seat. Sorry about that but I dropped my pen.

Charlton: Steer, Solly, Bauer, Pearce, Page, Sarr, Pratley (Lapslie 56), Aribo, Ajose (Reeves 47), Grant, Taylor (Dijksteel 90). Not used: Phillips, Marshall, Vetokele, Morgan. Booked: Pratley, Sarr, Steer.

Wycombe: Allsop, Jombatti, Jacobson, Gape, Stewart, Mackail-Smith (Onyedinma 57), Morris, Thompson, Akinfenwa (Paris-Hall 79), Williams, McCarthy (Kashket 63). Not used: Kalambay, Saunders, Bean, Harriman. Booked: Jombatti

Referee: Graham Salisbury. Att: 10,358 (1078 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Fleetwood Town (25/08/2018)

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Charlton 0 Fleetwood Town 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Holding Fleetwood Town to a drab goalless draw at home was hardly guaranteed to dispel the air of gloom currently hanging over The Valley. It's a measure of Charlton's fall from grace that the point Town took home with them, along with 80 stout-hearted followers, was no more than they deserved. The stalemate was a result which will have surprised nobody in a division where the role of underdog needs re-assessment on a game-by-game basis.

Coming hard on the heels of the cruel midweek defeat by Peterborough United there were, to be fair, positives for Lee Bowyer to dredge from the dross. Fleetwood did arrive, after all, in a nose-bleeding play-off position; ignoring their subservient position, Charlton achieved their first clean sheet of the season; the presence, on the bench, of Jason Pearce and Igor Vetokele signals a return to action of several sidelined first teamers; last and let's also make him least, Ched Evans was hardly allowed a kick of the ball.

Adamant that the turbulence before kick-off would not affect his players, Bowyer's point was eloquently made by the devastating turn of pace shown by Karlan Grant to penetrate the visitors's rearguard and set up a first minute chance for Lyle Taylor. An alert defensive block foiled Taylor's close range flick before CARD's threatened salvo of crisps brought the game to a crunchy halt. I don't need telling that simple economics ruled out the use of Kettle crisps or any of those middle class beetroot-and-coriander efforts they charge a ransom for in gastropubs but the cheapos on offer didn't have to taste like kitchen roll.

The point was not to eat them but hurl them on to the pitch - I get that too - but there was no way even hula hoops could travel that far from the pressbox. So with a shrewdly orchestrated show of bravado, I scornfully ate half of them (it might help if I explain that they've discontinued food in the press lounge), then contemptuously tossed the packet and what was left of them on the floor. I feel justified in claiming  the manoeuvre was carried with the right mixture of devil-may-care disdain and nonchalant disregard for consequences.

I plan to finish the rest when Wimbledon turn up on Tuesday week. They'll still be there unless Uncle Roland pries the moths off his wallet and cleans up after us. In other words, they'll still be there.

Back to Charlton vs. Fleetwood where, after the nibbles break, Charlton continued their bright start. Patrick Bauer headed Lewis Page's corner wide and Mark Marshall -whose experience was preferred to Albie Morgan's youthful optimism -sent a decent effort over the bar. Page's clever pass sent Taylor clear but Wes Morgan's desperate clearance dealt with the striker's wickedly dipping cross. When Joey Barton's Cod 'n Chips Army hit back, Dillon Phillips' sharp reflexes were required to foil Paddy Madden's flick at the near post before Jason Holt and James Husband combined to set up a close range chance for Morgan, a brave block by Page snuffing out the danger almost at source.

With just five goals conceded in as many league games - one of them a penalty - it appears that Charlton are reasonably well served in goal. But young Phillips has his critics, well meaning and otherwise, despite his steady improvement. He delivered a riposte to his detractors with the full length save he made to keep out the downward header by Ashley Hunter which seemed to have buried Madden's perfect cross inside the keeper's left-hand post. Phillips does need to improve his distribution, though - he hasn't contributed an assist so far this season.

The Addicks' best chance to break the deadlock fell to Joe Aribo a quarter hour before the end. Good work by impressive holding midfielder Krystian Bielik and persistent Darren Pratley set up Chris Solly to deliver a deliciously chipped centre from the right byline. With time and space to pick his spot from 15 yards, Aribo struck a left-footed volley disappointingly wide of the target. He was promptly replaced by battery-charged George Lapslie, arriving as usual like his shorts were on fire, whose last minute header was cleared off the goalline by Lewis Coyle. The goalless outcome was ensured by Phillips, whose anticipation helped him reach Hunter's 22-yard free kick, awarded for Bauer's foul on Chris Long, and turn it to safety.

Long story short etc, the draw against a team who scored five in midweek was honourable. There's still a defiant spirit at Charlton that no amount of eccentric dictates from Brussels can destroy. Here's hoping, however, that Roland's next dietary outburst involves a riff on Marie Antoinette's dubiously attributed advice that the lower orders eat cake. A nice slice or two of Victoria sponge would go down a treat. No way would that get thrown on the pitch. The mess in the Lower West would turn opinion against CARD, as would the use of rock cakes. Just saying like.

Charlton: Phillips, Solly, Bauer, Sarr, Page, Bielik, Aribo (Lapslie 78), Pratley, Marshall (Vetokele 63), Grant, Taylor. Not used: Steer, Dijksteel, Pearce, Morgan, Ajose. Booked: Pratley, Sarr, Bauer.

Fleetwood: Cairns, Coyle, Holt, Eastham, Burns, Evans (Long 83), Madden (McAleny 90), Morgan, Hunter, Marney, Husband. Not used: Jones, Dempsey, Grant, Bolger, Sheron. Booked: Eastham, Morgan, Hunter, Husband.

Referee: Anthony Coggins. Att: 8,810 (80 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Peterborough (21/08/2018)

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Charlton 0 Peterborough 1 (Cummings 89, pen)

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

From time to time, football fans have been known to blame a referee for defeat. Ref-ism is the last refuge of the sore loser and is normally dead-batted by a non-committal expression, perhaps grudgingly qualified by a muttered version of Mandy Rice-Davies' celebrated put-down - "well, you would, wouldn't you?". Let's be honest, there's nobody more irritating than a football fan with a hard luck story. Well, most of the time.

At The Valley on Tuesday evening, for instance, there were 9,762 witnesses to a refereeing performance of stunning ineptitude. The best and worst you could say for James Linington is that his inefficiency had the whole world and its aunt at his throat until, with a minute remaining on the clock, his panicky award of a match-winning penalty to Peterborough United won him the sudden admiration and gratitude of 745 pilgrims from Cambridgeshire, who found within themselves instant forgiveness for the shoddy 89 minutes which preceded the crucial decision. At odds with dotty Roy Hodgson's piously Corinthian pronouncement that he's uneasy when Crystal Palace benefit from dodgy penalty decisions, the visiting tribunes celebrated a huge break long and hard. They stopped just short of a rousing rendition of "For he's a jolly good fellow" while the rest of the ground seethed with righteous indignation.

If, as they say, the best referees go unnoticed, then Linington failed the litmus test miserably. Pathetically anxious not to be labelled a "homer", he was at posturing pains to establish himself as exactly the opposite. Selflessly assisted by rotund Posh manager Steve Evans, he theatrically ruled most contentious decisions in the visitors' favour. During the second half, he whistled for a foul indisputably committed on Lyle Taylor, but forgot which way the sides were kicking and absentmindedly pointed east when it should clearly have been west. We were in the hands of a fool but not, to be fair, a sizeist. Both rail-thin Lee Bowyer and beer-barrelled Evans were both booked for colourfully expressing their disenchantment with Isle of Wight's finest -possibly only- league referee.

Linington's antics reached their nadir as a goalless draw seemed the logical outcome of an earnest but undistinguished game. The clock signalled the last minute of normal time when the shrewd substitutions made by Evans midway through the second half paid off handsomely. Frequently a thorn in Charlton's side, left-footed wide man Marcus Maddison and Newcastle United loanee Ivan Toney had already made a difference when they combined in a final effort to break the deadlock. Diving headlong in a vain bid to head Maddison's dangerously dipping cross, Toney received the merest nudge from Lewis Page as he plunged to the turf. Succumbing to pressure from behind the away goal and bullied throughout by Evans, Linington pointed to the spot, from where Jason Cummings coolly converted the most contentious of penalties.

Beside himself with anger, Bowyer's unequivocal post-game comments risked sanction. "I told my players they had been cheated, robbed, however you want to describe it, however you want to dress it up. The referee gave them absolutely everything and the manager was constantly riding the ref and I would think that he bullied him into that decision. It was the wrong decision and I feel so sorry for the lads. They've been cheated out of a point, maybe three because we were in the ascendancy and could have scored at the end." He then climbed down from the fence he was straddling and prepared to face the music.

An extra special exercise in eccentricity from Linington was required to resolve this evenly fought issue. Chances were rare as the Addicks coped comfortably enough with the league leaders. Admittedly, a scrambling goalline clearance from Chris Solly was required to repel a looping header from Rhys Bennett, while Dillon Phillips' alert angle-narrowing foiled Siriki Dembele after the elusive bag of tricks was sent clear by Toney. And local hearts were in mouths when Colin Daniel brilliantly pierced the home lines to shoot narrowly wide. But Phillips and his doughty defence -among which new recruit Krystian Bielik was particularly impressive- seemed to have earned their first clean sheet of the season until it was soiled by incompetent refereeing.

With Fleetwood Town due at The Valley on Saturday, Bowyer's immediate task will be restore Charlton's bruised spirits. His players gave everything for him midweek and while unable to carve out clear chances against disciplined Posh, attacked with verve and imagination. Albie Morgan, meanwhile, became the latest academy graduate to make his full debut as youth continues to call the tune. With his squad expected to be reinforced by players returning from injury, the passionate young boss has reasons to be cheerful. Best not to mention the Isle of Wight for a while!

Charlton: Phillips, Solly, Bauer, Bielik, Sarr, Page, Pratley, Aribo, Morgan (Ajose 66), Taylor, Grant. Not used: Steer, Dijksteel, Marshall, Lapslie, Maloney, Hackett-Fairchild. Booked: Pratley, Taylor, Page.

Peterborough: Chapman, Naismith, Daniel, Woodyard, Tafazolli, O'Hara, Godden (Toney 62), Demele (Cooper 83), Ward (Maddison 62), Bennett, Cummings. Not used: Tyler, Reed, Cooke, Yorwerth. Booked: Woodyard.

Referee: James Linington. Att: 9,762 (745 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Brighton (24/07/2018)

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Charlton 1 (Sarr 80) Brighton 1 (Gross 47).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Stepping up in class as the new season looms large, spirited Charlton went toe-to-toe with Premier League visitors Brighton and emerged with an honourable draw as reward for their unstinting effort. Clearly the satisfying result, as much as their energetic performance, mattered greatly to Lee Bowyer's men.

A discouraging 1-0 loss seemed on the cards until, with ten minutes remaining, huge centre back Naby Sarr decided to take matters into his own hands. A ball-playing defender very much in the modern mould, Sarr controlled a clearance inside his own half before setting out for Albion's distant goal with mayhem in mind. Improvised one-twos with Nicky Ajose and Simon Dawkins carried him on like an impetuous Light Brigade cavalryman at Balaclava. As the whites of Hugo Keto's eyes came into sight, the run of the ball favoured the by-now irresistible Sarr in placing a precise, sidefooted shot inside the keeper's right hand post. Some goal it was too, a singular effort unlikely to be bettered during the season proper but one Bowyer will hope to see duplicated more than once by an unpredictable player who answers a different drum.

Quite apart from Sarr's unorthodoxy, there was plenty to encourage the manager in a feisty clash with visitors whose ascension to the Premier League coincided with Charlton's fall from grace. As recently as the 2015-16 campaign, the Seagulls and Addicks were squaring off in the Championship, with the former's 3-2 victory at the Amex Stadium on December 5th 2015 propelling them to the top of the table. Meanwhile, of course, Charlton were heading in a disastrously different direction.

In charge of Brighton back then was Chris Hughton, still bringing his calm influence to bear at The Valley on Tuesday evening. Matching "wits" with him less than three years ago was one Karel Fraeye, the latest in a pathetic parade of easy-come, soon-to-be-gone losers who ensured Charlton's steady decline. In Hughton, Albion had -and still have- rock-solid leadership which they ranged behind in thinner times. Fraeye was gone just a month after the December 2015 defeat, as the bodies continued to pile up. Don't hold your breath until Bowyer is confirmed in the job. After all, this sorry saga began with the treacherous backstabbing of another Valley legend.

Further evidence of the contrasting fortunes of these fine clubs was provided by ex-Addick Dale Stephens, whose effortless range of passing now earns him a Premiership crust on the South Coast. He wasted little time in showcasing his ability with a gorgeous, defence-splitting delivery which Pascal Gross squandered by shooting against the advancing legs of Dillon Phillips. Prolific scorer Glenn Murray was even more wasteful when firing inexplicably wide from point-blank range after being set up by Lewis Dunk's pass and Gross' clever flick. At the other end, David Button was untroubled by the rising effort driven over the bar by promising Albie Morgan.

Bowyer has reason to be pleased with the tireless contributions of his interval substitutions. But before they were heard from, Charlton fell behind. James Tilley's right wing cross was headed back across Phillips by Murray and seemed bound for the opposite corner until the keeper's straining fingertips kept it out. Unhindered by the right post, Gross was left with a simple tap-in.

Down but clearly far from out, the Addicks responded with youthful irreverence. Tenacious left full back Jamie Mascoll was an aggressive fireball, whose uninhibited tackling caused Hughton, a similarly committed left back during his distinguished playing career, to wince on more than one occasion. Equally committed George Lapslie popped up on both flanks to put himself about, as a shaken Arrun Connelly would confirm, pausing briefly to apologise before hustling back for the free kick. Midfield bite at Charlton - remind you of anyone?

Charlton were beginning to run out of time when Keto withstood a rat-a-tat three-shot salvo from Josh Magennis, saving each of them with commendable defiance, which Phillips matched with two fine saves from close range efforts from Solly March and Connolly. Then Sarr stepped up to defy logic, destroy tactics and deliver a draw which mattered. Really mattered.

Charlton: Phillips, Marshall (Yao 46), Ward, Sarr, Page (Mascoll 46), Forster-Caskey (Maloney 46), Pratley (Ince 46), Dawkins, Morgan (Lapslie 46), Ajose, Magennis.

Referee: Gavin Ward.

Att: 2256 (458 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Shrewsbury Town v Charlton (13/05/2018)

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Shrewsbury Town 1 (Carlton Morris 58) Charlton 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from Montgomery Waters' greenhouse.

Well, it's over for another few months. Bloody good job too, many of us felt as Charlton's chaotic 2017-18 season - disjointed, disappointing, depressing, take your pick - was pepper-sprayed into an ugly conclusion on Sunday. Few of their supporters, certainly none of the 1,568 tetchy loyalists who gathered here for the last rites, will regret its passing. It ended in two feeble whimpers and no audible bang as Shrewsbury easily won both legs of this play-off semi-final 1-0 to book their place at Wembley later this month.

As the post-mortems begin, the main item on most agendas will be the immediate fate of caretaker boss Lee Bowyer. And the conclusion will be, it's to be hoped, that little blame for Charlton's burn-out is his to shoulder. He inherited a team in freefall, with the grisly 0-1 debacle at Blackpool as recently as March 13th, and a miserable 0-0 home draw against Fleetwood four days later, rival nadirs which persuaded Karl Robinson to jump ship before he was pushed overboard. The Mersey Mouth duly sidled off to Oxford, where he switched his affections with all the ersatz sincerity of the smooth philanderer. Wherever he lays his hat, that's Karl's home.

Buckling down immediately, Bowyer restored equilibrium with three consecutive victories, boosted by a surprising 9-1 goal difference, over all-comers. Results inevitably flattened out but their titanic win over Blackburn propelled the Addicks into the play-offs, an achievement regarded by most fans as nothing short of miraculous given the unholy mess the caretaker faced when he took over. His managerial future now lies in the hands of Roland Duchatelet, a Belgian hologram whose word is as scattergunned as it is final. Bowyer would be unwise to move his belongings in yet.

This failure in Shropshire, meanwhile, followed almost regimental lines of predictability and order. The Addicks enjoyed (or, more probably, were allowed) a deceptive 54%-46% advantage in possession, contributing their usual neat approach play but rarely threatening to break through to where it mattered. They buzzed impressively up to the home penalty area where they encountered the rugged Salopians, who closed ranks and physically bashed them up. Paul Hurst's hard men racked up a 14-5 foul count before the interval, which they increased to 23-8 before the final whistle. They also survived a confident penalty appeal when rock-hard skipper Mat Sadler blatantly handled Joe Aribo's dangerous cross. Ruthless Town manipulated the rules, brushed aside their frail opposition and ran out comfortable winners.

The security given them by Jon Nolan's wonder strike at The Valley three days previously bolstered Shrewsbury. Charlton struggle to score once, much less twice, in any single game; yet again, their lack of a natural finisher saw them complete this vital game without seriously testing Dean Henderson. It also goes without saying that not a single cross was provided for Josh Magennis, a more than useful header of a ball but one regularly starved of even average service from the flanks.

At the other end, Ben Amos was the visitors' best performer, his pair of first half saves from Alex Rodman, the first low at his near post, the second in one-on-one confrontation with the winger a minute before the interval, prolonging Charlton's academic interest in the tie. The marvellous stop he made from Stefan Payne in second half added time meant little in the bigger picture but confirmed Amos' consistent excellence, which made nonsense of his absence from the top three nominations as Player-of-the-Season recently.

As this second leg chugged along in a mirror-image of the first, tough guy Carlton Morris scored Town's matchwinner at almost precisely the same stage as Nolan had so memorably struck at The Valley. Moving alertly into position as the outstanding Shaun Whalley burst through to the right byline, the Norwich City loanee took a steadying touch before fizzing the attacking midfielder's perfect cutback past Amos into the bottom right corner. It wasn't as spectacular as Nolan's howitzer but was even more effective in settling Charlton's hash.

The Addicks' meagre chances are easily recounted. Magennis turned sharply in the penalty area but blasted Jake Forster-Caskey's free kick over the bar; Aribo's devastating break should have resulted in a penalty when Sadler handled; Nicky Ajose was denied by Aristote Nsiala's fine recovery tackle as he bore down on Henderson; Forster-Caskey's fierce drive brought Henderson plunging to his left to save. For a team that simply had to score, it was hardly the constant softening-up bombardment prepatory to getting back on terms. But in reality, Charlton were as good as beaten as soon as Nolan scored at The Valley. The bookies could have settled then.

Ah well, here's Elkie Brooks to sing us out again. "Fool if you think it's over..." er, you can give it a rest now, Elkie, wrong choice to be brutally honest. Thing is, it's as over as over gets for now. But thanks for trying. Come back in August. You're always welcome.

Shrewsbury: Henderson, Godfrey, Sadler, Beckles, Whalley (Riley 89), Carlton Morris (Payne 69), Bolton, Bryn Morris, Nolan (Jon-Lewis 90), Nsiala, Rodman. Not used: MacGillivray, Lowe, Jones, Eisa. Booked: Bryn Morris, Nolan.

Charlton: Amos, Dijksteel (Sarr 86), Bauer, Pearce, Dasilva, Aribo, Forster-Caskey, Konsa, Ajose (Mavididi 59, Fosu (Kaikai 62), Magennis. Not used: Phillips, Kashi, Reeves, Zyro. Booked: Bauer.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson.

Att: 9,026 (1,568 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Shrewsbury Town (10/05/2018)

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Charlton 0 Shrewsbury Town 1 (Nolan 80).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

If Charlton make it to the League One play-off final at Wembley on Sunday May 27th, they will have gone about it the hard way. They made a disastrous start by conceding this first leg semi-final to streetwise Shrewsbury, falling victims to a stunning late strike from Scouse-Irishman Jon Nolan which placed into brutal context their own lack of cutting edge.

A goalless draw -far from the worst result to take with them to Shropshire on Sunday- seemed fair reward for their earnest endeavours until Nolan astutely judged a dropping ball, nodded to him by Stefan Payne on the edge of the penalty area, adjusted his body shape, then detonated a superb, dipping volley which brushed the underside of the bar before nestling sweetly behind the blameless Ben Amos. It was a fine goal worthy of deciding a game at any level and was scored by the best player on view.

After surviving an early battering by their on-fire hosts, Shrews settled into their task. They were compact, disciplined and when the occasion demanded, capable of cold-eyed ruthlessness. The first half assaults by brick outhouse Carlton Morris on Patrick Bauer, from which he escaped without censure, then later on Jason Pearce, which earned him a yellow, rather than the red card he deserved, were clear messages of intent. Cynical trips on Konsa and Tariqe Fosu after the interval, the second of them earning Alex Rodman a caution, further displayed Shrews' grasp of the darker arts.

The visitors also made an art form of timewasting, more kindly referred to these days as game management, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson already artfully slowing the pace in the torrid early going as he mulled over the correct positioning of his goalkicks. It pays off too as a paltry total of five added minutes over both halves proved. The visitors accounted for most of that derisory allowance while wildly celebrating Nolan's matchwinner.

The Addicks' sickening defeat, however, had its roots in more painfully familiar ground, namely their chronic inability to finish what they so often attractively start. During a blistering opening, Stephy Mavididi's hard, low cross eluded Josh Magennis, was returned by Konsa from the opposite flank but headed lamely wide by Magennis. Jake Forster-Caskey was more accurate with the low drive which forced Henderson into a full length save and Nicky Ajose came close with a volley that sent Magennis' lay-off whistling over the bar. An instinctive finisher might have converted at least one of the blur of early chances. But an instinctive finisher is conspicuous by his absence. As it is, the Addicks regularly bring cap pistols to a gunfight.

Until Nolan broke local hearts, Charlton had coped comfortably against a useful side which clearly regarded a draw as a positive result. Pearce, Bauer and sitting tenant Ahmed Kashi were their usual, solid selves while behind them Amos was impeccable. Jay Dasilva was a more progressive full back than a newly responsible Konsa and stayed alive to the problems caused by Mavididi's blind alley running and irritating losses of possession. The unfairly maligned Ben Reeves, whose last second intervention prevented Nolan from scoring earlier than he did, worked fruitlessly, as did Forster-Caskey. Up front, Magennis battled gamely alongside Ajose and with Fosu expected to replace Mavididi at Shrewsbury, might thrive on better service. Lee Bowyer's men did their best but were narrowly beatenby a better side.

With nothing to lose, Charlton might be a different proposition in the second leg against hosts who finished 16 points ahead of them during the regular season. Hardbitten interim boss Bowyer, no doubt aware that Thursday's crowd included an interested Australian prospector, was measured in his reaction to this disappointing defeat, claiming that his side deserved at least a share of the first-leg spoils but warning that the tie remains far from settled. Winners at Montgomery Waters Meadow less than a month ago by precisely the 2-0 scoreline required on Sunday, the Addicks are not yet a spent force.

The last words will be left to the incomparable Elkie Brooks, a soulful thrush from an age when singers kept their clothes on while singing. "Fool if you think it's over," crooned Elkie ..."it's just begun". Er, not entirely accurate, Elkie, actually it's half over. But nice one, girl, we catch your drift. Hope we can live up to it.

Charlton: Amos, Konsa, Bauer, Pearce, Dasilva, Kashi, Reeves (Aribo 76), Forster-Caskey, Mavididi (Fosu 62), Ajose (Zyro 90), Magennis. Not used: Phillips, Marshall, Sarr, Dijksteel.

Shrewsbury: Henderson, Godfrey, Sadler, Beckles, Whalley (Riley 88), Carlton Morris (Payne 74), Bolton, Bryn Morris, Nolan (John-Lewis 90), Nsiala, Rodman. Not used: MacGillivray, Lowe, Jones, Eisa. Booked: Carlton Morris, Rodman.

Referee: Simon Hooper.

Att: 14,367 (777 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Blackburn Rovers (28/04/2018)

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Charlton 1 (Pearce 19) Blackburn Rovers 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

A League One play-off shot lies within Charlton's grasp following this victory for bloody-minded determination and sheer stubbornness. There were times during Blackburn's second half assault on Ben Amos' goal when the visitors seemed certain to equalise Jason Pearce's outrageously flukey opener. But bodies were thrown on the line, heroic tackles made and when the chips were down, Amos was superb. There were one or two favours from fortune, quite apart from Pearce's inadvertent intervention, but if you can't be good, at least be lucky. Lee Bowyer cheerfully admitted that his side was lucky but correctly pointed out that they were also pretty good.

In the away dug-out, Rovers' manager Tony Mowbray generously made himself a hostage to the said fortune by making six changes from the team which clinched promotion in midweek at Doncaster. Among those left out were veteran goalscorer Danny Graham and, more significantly, ex-Charlton academy youngster Bradley Dack, recently named as League One's Player of the Season. Striker Graham and attacking midfielder Dack are responsible between them for 30 of Blackburn's 80 league goals this season and it's safe to say that their absence was a break for Bowyer's men. Charlton had their hands full with Mowbray's second stringers but this was definitely the ideal day to face Rovers.

Nothing in a routine first half alerted the Addicks to the ordeal they faced after the break. Ben Reeves and Jake Forster-Caskey, reassured by Ahmed Kashi's steadiness behind them, dominated a visiting midfield clearly lacking Dack's dynamic input. Tarique Fosu's individual impact was missed up front but there was enough to suggest that a relatively comfortable afternoon awaited the hosts. On 19 minutes, their prospects were further boosted by the streakiest of goals.

An inswinging corner delivered by Forster-Caskey from the right flank was headed away to Ezri Konsa, whose cross was cleared to Kashi, lying in wait outside the penalty area. The Algerian's first time shot found the bottom left corner via the most helpful of deflections off Pearce as Jayson Leutwiler moved in the wrong direction. Reportedly re-routed by one of Pearce's buttocks, it was a cheeky way to score but no more than the skipper deserved for his titanic contribution at the heart of Charlton's second half defiance.

With their main priority realised earlier in the week, the Ewood men offered little until Amos was forced to backpedal desperately in clawing Charlie Mulgrew's treacherously dipping corner to safety. But shortly before the interval, local hearts skipped a beat as Dominic Samuel, sent through by Richie Smallwood, appeared to be tripped by the pursuing Konsa on the 18-yard line. No penalty - not even a free kick - ruled well-positioned Merseyside referee Robert Jones as The Valley exhaled in relief. Luck had clearly resolved to be ladylike to Charlton and there was more largesse on the way during a harrowing second session.

It began badly for the Addicks' snakebitten left back Lewis  Page, who picked up a yellow card for a wild lunge on Leutwiler, then sustained a bad gash above his knee in combining bravely with Amos to thwart a close range effort from Samuel.

With Rovers responding to their sold-out end, Amos spread himself brilliantly to smother Smallwood's attempt to crown an irresistible solo run, then saved twice from Jack Payne. Charlton's inspired keeper deserved the luck (still another timely contribution from the notoriously fickle lady) he received when Samuel headed Mulgrew's corner against the underside of the bar. In one of numerous, hair-raising goalmouth scrambles, Pearce's emergency block on Graham stood out while, alongside the captain, Patrick Bauer was calmly efficient and Mark Marshall rubberstamped his inclusion at Joe Aribo's expense, with a feverishly hardworking box-to-box stint on alternating wings. Aribo eventually replaced an exhausted Reeves, who had more than done his bit. Even the cruel but justified addition of seven minutes was comfortably negotiated before an appreciative Valley rose to salute their gutsy heroes.

They're not there yet but Bowyer and an affectionately greeted Johnnie Jackson are on the brink of masterminding a play-off opportunity for a squad on the verge of collapse before they took charge. It will soon be time for bashful owner Roland Duchatelet, with talk of a take-over fading fast, to decide who leads Charlton into the 2018-19 season. Promotion to the Championship would force his hand in favour of the Bowyer-Jackson ticket but they should be given the responsibility anyway whatever the upcoming weeks hold in store. There's wild gossip, meanwhile, that Yves Ordure-LaTrine of FC Brussels Sprouts (no-one likes us, we don't care) is available after leading FCBS into the Belgian sixth tier but hopefully that's no more than a rumour. For almost but not quite the last time this season the cry gathers volume - Bowyer In! Jackson In! Come on Roland, you know it makes sense. You already lost much-coveted Joey Barton to Fleetwood due to excessive dithering.

Charlton: Amos, Konsa, Bauer, Pearce, Page (Dasilva 50), Kashi, Reeves (Aribo 86), Forster-Caskey, Marshall, Ajose (Mavididi 80), Magennis. Not used: Phillips, Jackson, Lennon, Zyro. Booked: Page, Forster-Caskey.

Blackburn: Leutwiler, Lenihan, Mulgrew, Downing, Caddis (Travis 63), Bell, Smallwood, Evans (Whittingham 75), Armstrong, Samuel, Payne (Graham 63). Booked: Lenihan, Downing, Smallwood, Payne.  Not used: Fisher, Antonsson, Tomlinson, Nuttall.

Referee: Robert Jones. Att: 17,310 (3,110 visiting)

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Portsmouth v Charlton (21/04/2018)

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Portsmouth 0 Charlton 1 (Ajose 40).

Kevin Nolan reports from Fratton Park.

In Fratton Park's famous cauldron-like atmosphere, transformed by this result into a requiem for Portsmouth's promotion hopes, a stirring, one-for-all, all-for-one performance thrust Charlton into strong contention for the sixth-and last- play-off slot. This was a victory to which every player manfully contributed, none more so than outstanding goalkeeper Ben Amos.

A handful of fine saves, the pick of which was his quite astounding mid-air adjustment to conjure Brett Pitman's treacherously deflected 85th minute free kick over the bar, keynoted Charlton's defensive defiance but was greeted almost matter-of-factly by his colleagues. Inspired by the example of ultra-competitive skipper Jason Pearce, Amos had been protected by a resolute wall and was clearly expected to plug the holes on the rare occasions it was breached. In the heat of battle, emotional outbursts belong in the dressing room where it's safe to assume he was saluted more enthusiastically later.

There will be those among a raucous away following which silenced the local tribunes, who will find it impossible to relate this tight, purposeful side to the rabble which were bullied at Wimbledon and outsmarted four days later at home to Scunthorpe. With the Pompey Chimes degenerating into a poignant dirge, Portsmouth were ultimately broken. There was, admittedly, the odd uncomfortable moment for their visitors before the deed was done.

Clearly sent out by Lee Bowyer to take on the South Coasters, the Addicks dominated the first half, did largely as they pleased but retired for the break ominously only one goal to the good. Frankly dreadful for 45 minutes, the Blues should have been staring down the barrel of comprehensive defeat. Unable to pick out an accurate pass, second to every ball, overpowered and outclassed, Kenny Jackett's men struggled to survive. But survive they did and the second half became a backs-to-the-wall test of Charlton's character. It's a pleasure to report that they passed with flying all-red colours.

Provided stability by the insatiable workrate of Jake Forster-Caskey and Ben Reeve, the Londoners enjoyed effortless superiority without, as the interval approaching, threatening to score. Forster-Caskey came closest when he cut in from the right, beat Luke McGee with a low, left-footed drive but was foiled by Nathan Thompson's goalline clearance. Other than Tarique Fosu's sharply taken shot on the turn, which grazed a post, Pompey seemed likely to escape unscathed until Nicky Ajose's first goal of the season lowered the boom on them with five minutes first half minutes remaining.

An old-school exchange of goalkeeping clearances saw Amos collect McGee's free kick before returning it downfield with interest. An awkward handful throughout, Josh Magennis got the aerial better of Matt Clarke and nodded down for Ajose to spin into space before slotting past the advancing McGee. The goal was a nightmare for the tactical purists but it proved that the long ball still has a useful part to play in any team's arsenal.

Stirred out of their apathy, Portsmouth almost equalised immediately after Ahmed Kashi, returning from injury in time for the last surge, fouled Gareth Evans. His victim's free kick was headed goalwards by Clarke but smartly smothered by the first of Amos' crucial saves.

Prolific scorer Pitman (22 league goals this season) had been spending his time in Pearce's pocket, emerging from time to time to discuss referee Mark Heywood's officiating. He was always dangerous, though, and should have made more of another of Evans' free kicks than to head it lamely over the bar.

After Reeves volleyed narrowly wide, Amos preserved the lead by getting down smartly to save substitute Connor Ronan's raking low drive.

Charlton's compulsion to concede needless but dangerous free kicks was continued by Mark Marshall's thoughtless foul on Stuart O'Keefe in the juiciest of positions for Pitman to try his luck from 25 central yards. The veteran's effort was helped on its way to the top left corner by a wicked deflection until Amos twisted mid-dive to waft it over the bar. If it's true that catches win matches, the same can be said for saves of this exemplary quality.

Worrying injuries to hotshot Fosu and the steadily improving Lewis Page marred the Addicks' heartening performance, with Kashi's timely return offsetting the damage. The near top (Blackburn) and near bottom (Rochdale) of League One now stand in the way of their play-off ambitions, tricky Red Rose county opponents with differing agendas. Bring 'em on one at a time because Charlton have cast aside the crippling self-doubt that hampered most of this exhausting campaign. If they don't make it, they'll go down fighting.

Portsmouth: McGee, Thompson (O'Keefe 46), Clarke, Whatmough (Burgess 46), Haunstrup (Ronan 66), Close, Lowe, Evans, Donohue, Naismith, Pitman. Not used: Hawkins, Kennedy, Chaplin, Bass.

Charlton: Amos, Konsa, Bauer, Pearce, Page (Marshall 62), Reeves, Kashi, Forster-Caskey, Fosu (Dasilva 57), Ajose (Kaikai 90), Magennis. Not used: Phillips, Aibo, Lennon, Zyro

Referee: Mark Heywood. Att: 19,210 (2,448 visiting).

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Scunthorpe (14/04/2018)

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Charlton 0 Scunthorpe 1 (Toney 31).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

It ain't mathematically so. Not yet it ain't. But it's liable to be. Because in every other way, it's becoming obvious. Charlton will be competing again in League One next season. They belong there. When push comes to shove, they're just not good enough even to make the play-offs.

Back-to-back 1-0 defeats by Wimbledon and Scunthorpe thrust the tiresome campaign into sharp relief. The performance near Norbiton was ghastly and for those unfortunate wretches who suffered it, then loyally turned up at The Valley four days later, some sort of therapy might be in order. Nobody should be asked to endure twin nightmares like those traumatic ordeals. Not to mention having to pay for the bitter experience.

The tactical explanations for Charlton's prolonged demise are many and varied. Some experts advocate the diamond, some pundits prefer a more lozenge-shaped set-up, others argue for three at the back, still more big up 4-4-2. Then you've got your wingbacks, hole players, false number 9s, midfield sitters. To press or not to press, play out from the back or get it up front asap.

It's all so technical that it's likely Stephen Hawking would have failed his coaching exams miserably. On the other hand, he might have concluded that football is a simple practice unnecessarily complicated by theory. Its primary aim is to stick the ball in the net more times than your opponents and, in that regard, both Wimbledon and Scunthorpe had the edge over the Addicks.

Charlton's deceptive total of 54 league goals was swelled recently by the surprising 9-goal burst during the false dawn of Lee Bowyer's first three games in charge. Their lack of a proven goalscorer has cost them dearly in otherwise seemingly winnable games. At Wimbledon, blond-thatched Lyle Taylor seized on Patrick Bauer's disastrous slip and coolly poached the game's only goal. Taylor scored again at Walsall on Saturday and his crucial strikes will almost certainly keep modestly-budgeted Wimbledon in League One. The Dons should have been made an offer they couldn't refuse when his availability became an issue earlier this year. But imagination isn't among Roland Duchatelet's characteristics. He keeps his pragmatism close to his chest, which is where you will also come across his chequebook.

Scunthorpe's matchwinner was claimed by Ivan Toney, currently on loan from Newcastle United. His 1-yard tap-in owed more to the work of its creators Jordan Clarke and Hakeeb Adelakun but was celebrated with religious fervour. Giving thanks to a loftier presence, Ivan crossed himself, knelt in prayer, dedicated his achievement to world peace and generally carried on as if he'd scored the world's first-ever goal . He was just a little over the top which muddies the point that he was also an outstanding leader of the Iron's attack. If his magnificently struck second half volley had not been equally magnificently tipped over the bar by Ben Amos, though, the visitors might have had to collect him at an A1 service station on the way back.

Featuring on loan for Charlton in Saturday's glorious sunshine were Sullay Kaikai and Michal Zyro, neither of whom made much of a contribution. Kaikai is highly rated by Bowyer, which comes as a surprise to fans who see a trier with little else to recommend him. The Addicks improved markedly when he was replaced by feisty Tarique Fosu. Slow and clumsy, meanwhile, Zyro suffered in contrast to Toney's excellence while a third loanee, Stephy Mavididi, who replaced Joe Aribo, was again hugely disappointing.

Apart from Fosu, Amos was the only full-time Addick to emerge with credit. His early one-on-one block with his feet after Adelakun was sent clear by Duane Holmes was the first of three great saves by the defiant keeper. His instinctive, flying tip-over spoiled Toney's bid for Goal-of-the-Season and was followed by another electric reaction to beat clear Adelakun's venomous drive. No blame could be attached to Charlton's stand-alone keeper for Toney's goal.

Sprinting through a square defence on to Duane Holmes's through pass, Adelakun was offside by a whisker, wisely paused for thought, then delivered a firm, low cross which left Toney the easy task of converting from a yard out.

Toney's goal - and Taylor's before it - has probably condemned Charlton to another season in the doldrums of League One. The muffled drums are beating slowly, the fifes are playing lowly, the band is rehearsing the last post and chorus. It'll be time soon for Charlton's promotion hopes to be lowered down and for the massed pipers to lament their death with "Flowers of the Forest."

Unless, of course, they win at Shrewsbury while Portsmouth lose at Bradford, in which case... well, you can never tell with football, bloody football, do you?

Charlton: Amos, Dijksteel, Bauer, Pearce, Dasilva, Aribo (Mavididi 76), Forster-Caskey, Zyro (Magennis 53), Reeves, Kaikai (Fosu 54), Ajose. Not used: Phillips, Kashi, Lennon, Konsa. Booked: Kaikai.

Scunthorpe: Gilks, Clarke, Wallace, McArdle, Townsend, Yates, Holmes (McGeehan 76), Ojo, Moris, Toney (Novak 69), Adelakun (Vermijl 84). Not used: Watson, Bishop, Hopper, Burgess.
Referee: Graham Salisbury.

Att: 11,877 (586 visiting).