Tuesday 16 April 2013

Creditable draw at Cardiff

Charlton earned a creditable 0-0 draw with Cardiff City in the Welsh capital tonight. Cardiff are promoted to the Premier League by virtue of the draw and Millwall's 1-0 win over Watford. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace went down 3-0 at Ipswich. It is now over seven-and-a-half hours since they scored.

Charlton stay in 9th place on goal difference despite wins for 'Boro and Leeds United.

Looking at the statistics provided by Chalfont St. Peter Addick Richard Sheppard this is our best end-of-season run since the 1997-8 season which led to Wembley and last year's League 1 triumph. Along we were promoted with the title in 1999-2000, we faded at the end, finally securing a return to the top flight with a draw at Blackburn, an event I and many others greatly enjoyed.

The Addicks started the game well and forced an early save out of Bluebirds keeper David Marshall, as Callum Harriott was unlucky to see his effort from distance saved. The hosts were struggling to find their rhythm and were indebted to Marshall for keeping them level as he made an excellent save to tip Johnnie Jackson's free kick onto the post before the ball was cleared. Craig Bellamy had a chance but put it over.

After the break, Charlton were still threatening and Ricardo Fuller forced Marshall into another good save as he turned in the penalty area, before firing a low shot which the keeper tipped round the post. Cardiff thought they had taken the lead when Noone turned the ball home from close range after Mutch had lifted a ball into the area only for it be ruled out by the linesman. Charlton's defence continued to hold out until the final whistle.

Ricardo Fuller was booked in the second half and subsequently replaced by Obika. Gower was brought on in place of Hughes to give the home fans a bit of excitement.

It was interesting looking at the television pictures after the match to see that most Cardiff fans were wearing 'Red Dragon' rather than 'Bluebird' colours.

Bristol City have been relegated.

Elsewhere 10-man Leamington won 2-0 at Chippenham in front of 200 away fans to continue their progress towards the Southern Premier League title.

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