Saturday 6 October 2012

Blackpool rocked

Charlton are now 15th in the Championship after their unexpected win at Blackpool who were, perhaps, a little complacent, having read the result off the table. Indeed, I admit that I fell into that trap as well. The Massives are now in the relegation zone. Here is Paul May's report.

Wright-Phillips was relegated to the bench, Fuller was up front and Razak was brought in at Bloomfield Road reports Paul May. It was evident that Razak was playing as the link up man between the midfield and Fuller.

A poor kick by the Blackpool keeper in the bright sunshine led to an early Addicks corner, but the Seasiders counter attacked.

Cort had to concede a corner after five minutes. A second corner for Blackpool followed after Fuller cleared, but the move ended in a goal kick for the Addicks. The home crowd was unusually a bit subdued. Green went down with a leg injury and the referee eventually stopped play.

Good play by Charlton led to Kerkar winning a corner. The ball went over the crossbar for a goal kick.

Blackpool kept possession for a while with a short passing game but the Addicks were eventually able to break it up. A shot from Phillips was crucially blocked by Solly and Morrison who provided some good defending, denying Blackpool their best chance so far. Charlton were being pushed back, but then there was another stoppage on 20 minutes as Green had to go off and Bradley Pritchard replaced him.

Charlton gave the ball away, but recovered. A cross from Pritchard was cleared. Fuller won a corner for the Addicks. Fuller surged forward but his effort came off the underside of the bar. It was very nearly 0-1 with Fuller causing the home side problems.

Taylor-Fletcher very nearly scored from 40 yards with Hamer out of position near the penalty spot, but fortunately the ball went on to the roof of the net. Hamer had to make a superb save from M Phillips after a great turn by him. The counter attack was fast down the left, Pritchard threatened to tap the ball in, but Crainey made a last ditch tackle.

Taylor-Fletcher blazed over with the Addicks defence finally putting pressure on him after giving him some space. Stephens gave the ball away to Delfouneso and Blackpool won a corner which was taken short and led to a second. M Phillips put a cross in and Morrison had to concede a corner. Hollands headed the ball away. Gomez got a booking for a professional foul on Fuller. Gilks had to save from Fuller at the expense of a corner. It had been a well organised and solid performance from the Addicks.

Half time 0-0

Blackpool won an early corner, livening up the home crowd. Their effort went well wide. Kerkar did well to win a corner for the Addicks. Stephens took the corner kick and Cort scored.

Razak went down holding his knee. He looked as if he was in real pain. He had been tidy without being dominant. The Addickted sang a rousing chorus of Valley Floyd Road. Razak got back on his feet.

Blackpool winger and potential danger man Tom Ince came on in place of Gomez, having faced a late fitness test. Fuller very nearly opened up the Blackpool defence. A chorus of the Solly song started up.

Hamer saved comfortably from Ince. Charlton won a corner as they continued to look dangerous. The Addicks won a second corner. The ball was just over Cort’s head. Kevin Phillips came on to give two of them on the pitch, Delfouneso coming off. Charlton couldn’t clear their lines and Ince got a half chance leading to a corner but the header was just outside the post. Morrison went down after a challenge by Baptiste.

Blackpool took off Osbourne and brought on Dicko. Fuller won a free kick for Charlton. Kerkar’s free kick was very poor and led to a goal kick. Hollands put in a good challenge.

The Seasiders won a corner. The ball was claimed well by Hamer. Charlton counter attacked, Solly put the ball into the top right-hand corner to make it 0-2. It was a great goal from the outside of his right foot from perhaps 20 yards out. Kerkar made a great turn to beat the defender and set things up. He rolled it back to Stephens and his ball was used by Solly.

Razak came off, having been more influential in the second half. Dervite took his place. Cort made an important interception. Fuller went off to a standing ovation from the Addickted. Hulse came on in his place.

Poor defending by Cort in the form of a sliced clearance led to a corner which fortunately was unproductive. Four minutes were added on. Dicko had a try from the edge of the box but he was just wide of the post.

No comments: