Tuesday 5 March 2013

Away point at London Road

A spirited performance by Charlton against Peterborough at London Road saw them draw 2-2. It was difficult to argue with the result, writes Sue Burton.

There are quite a few changes in the team for tonight's match against Peterborough United. Cort is replaced at the back by Taylor and as he performed well on Saturday and is not even on the bench, it would seem that he is out through injury. Solly returns, but Stephens does not. Harriott gets his first start in midfield and it's Haynes and Fuller up front with Obika dropped to the bench, as is Dervitte. Button stays in goal.

Charlton made a bright start with Solly getting involved. Wilson rattled the crossbar with a great shot, a half volley from his left foot, and then Fuller put the ball into the side netting.

Charlton kept up the pressure, Haynes had a great opportunity but it drifted wide of the far post.

A good counter attack ended with Olejink gathering comfortably from Haynes as the quarter hour mark approached.

After good work by Jackson and Wilson, Fuller’s header was gathered by the Austrian keeper.

Peterborough had their first chance with a good cross, but Button was able to smother the ball after Mendez-Lang, the scourge of Peterborough town centre, tried to score.

Morrison conceded the first corner of the game after Mendez-Lang advanced down the inside left channel. Northern Ireland international McCann took the corner. Posh had a chance, but Zakuani put the ball over the bar from six yards out. Swanson drove the ball through the heart of the Charlton defence to make it 1-0. The defending was poor.

Peterborough were now in the ascendancy, having regained their confidence, and won a second corner which was unproductive.

A shot was blocked well by Button as Mendez-Lang tried to put it between his legs. From the corner, McCann put the ball into the side netting.

Harriott advanced well, but his cross or shot was poor and went over the bar. Rowe and Haynes got involved with each other and referee Langford responded well by calming things down.

Gayle put in a cross after a slip by Wiggins, but it was headed away. Peterborough kept up the pressure and won a free kick off Jackson. Button dealt with the situation well. Wiggins dealt with a threat from Gayle well.

HT: Posh 1, Addicks 0

Right at the start of the match Posh carved open Charlton and Tomlin’s drive came off the outside of the post.

Charlton won their first corner of the evening. Jackson’s corner was powered away.

Jackson steadied himself and slammed the ball into the net with his trusty left foot to make it 1-1 to the delight of the travelling Addickted. It was a composed finish and a true captain’s goal.

Charlton won their second corner of the game after Harriott and Wiggins worked well down the left. Great work by Solly on the right with a superb cross, Morrison’s header was kept out, but from close range Haynes put it in the roof of the net to make it 2-1 to the Addicks. Peterborough made a substitution with McCann coming off in favour of Ferdinand.

There was some pressure after a Peterborough corner which eventually led to a second. Button made a good punch away and Charlton broke. It was a great counter attack with excellent work by Pritchard, Harriott and Haynes but Wiggins was not able to score.

Kilted wonder Swanson turned well, getting past Solly, but Button was able to gather. The Addickted chanted ‘Chris Powell’s barmy army’. Charlton launched another attack with a great move involving Harriott and Pritchard, but Haynes lacked confidence on his left foot. The Addicks won another corner, but it ended in a goal kick.

Button made a comfortable save from Gayle after the ball was flicked over the top of the Charlton defence. Johnnie Jackson put his body on the line to make a great block for the Addicks at the expense of a corner. Taylor flicked it away well, but then a free kick was awarded on the edge of the Charlton penalty area. It was missed by Button, but took a deflection off a Charlton player and a corner was awarded. Pritchard hacked the ball away, but the danger was not cleared. Charlton could not clear their lines. The ball bounced through the Charlton keeper and it was 2-2. Button should have done better.

Brisley came on to replace Zakunari. Barnett came on to replace Swanson who had been impressive, but Ferguson took a gamble with a striker.

Fuller came off and Obika came on. Charlton won a free kick 25 yards or so out. Jackson’s effort was tipped over the bar by the keeper. The corner led to an offside decision. The flag then went up against Obika.

Harriott was rebuked by the referee for a foul, not receiving a card from the referee the day after his 19th birthday. Charlton won another corner but the header from Haynes went wide. Pritchard was fouled very late and Barnett was shown the first yellow card of the game.

Peterborough advanced, but Wiggins and Harriott were able to stop the cross.

Wilson put in a poor cross and Michael Morrison had to defend and then Taylor had to concede a corner kick. Button took charge.

Obika’s drive was blocked, he hit it again well and Charlton won a corner.

Peterborough won a corner in time added on. Haynes was replaced by Dervitte. Button saved on the line and Jackson cleared it away for another corner. Jackson blocked a final attack and then Payne put it wide.

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