Saturday 15 September 2007

Half full or half empty?

You can say this was a great Charlton fightback from 2-0, writes Erith Addick Paul May. Or you can say that the Addicks should have finished Colchester off when they went down to ten men on 55 minutes.

Before a bumper crowd of 5,860, Yeates put the home side ahead on 32 minutes with a finish from ten yards or so out. Then, of course, Kevin Lisbie had to make it 2-0 on 38 minutes with a close range header. How often did he score with a close range header when he was presented with a chance when he was playing for us? But you had to say it was in the script.

Todorov put us back in the game with a good strike on 45 minutes. Other good news after the break was the appearance of Reid to replace Thomas. I don't know why Reid wasn't on from the start as he gives us our creativity in the centre of the park. Ambrose and Semedo weren't going to do that.

Referee Mike Russell had no hesitation in giving a straight red to Matthew Connolly for his foul on Chris Iwelumo. He had to be replaced by Varney 13 minutes later and I hope that reports of an injury do not indicate anything too serious.

Lloyd Sam came on in place of Todorov on 72 minutes and less than a minute later he set up Zheng Zhi to score a Chinese cracker of an equaliser. But Charlton were unable to get the goal that would give them all three points.

Although the U's have scored at least two goals every game this season, the result does renew anxieties about our defence. Mills is try to kick start his career and get the Addicks in the Premiership, but is he up to the job? Can Fortune make the grade even in the Championship?

I wouldn't blame Nicky Weaver though, as some will. He made some important saves, particularly when we were 2-1 down.

We need to win these games to get automatic promotion. Now beating Norwich is a key task.

BTW, welcome Sue Savin as the newest Erith Addick. I know that she doesn't get to games much these days with two young nippers, but she is Charlton through and through. I still remember the Andy Hunt blow up doll she brought to Portman Road and she sponsored Carl Tiler.

Come on you Reds!

No comments: