Friday 15 March 2024

Charlton Athletic 0 v 0 Portsmouth

Saturday 24th February 2024, Kick-off 15.00
EFL League One
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.50
Attendance: 16,732 (3,155 away)


A match report can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below




Brief video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

Kevin Nolan’s Valley View: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Portsmouth

Can the Addicks escape the drop from League One? A goalless draw with the league leaders offered grounds for optimism, reports KEVIN NOLAN.

Still without a win in sixteen games since Cheltenham Town were beaten 2-1 at The Valley nearly three months ago, Charlton are still in dire peril near the foot of League One. But this second successive show of defiance against another serious promotion candidate offered genuine hope of survival. 

After sharing the points with Bolton Wanderers in a six-goal thriller, they achieved a first clean sheet since they demolished Reading 4-0 as far back as October 21st.

Portsmouth arrived in SE7 comfortably top of the table and did their chances of automatic promotion little harm despite dropping two points against a side trailing them by a hardly believable 39 points. They were, however, no better their desperate hosts and left grateful they hadn’t lost. At times during this forgettable game, that seemed entirely possible.

On the basis of horses for courses, Portsmouth were far from unwelcome opposition at this stage of Charlton’s battle to stay in this dreadful division. To say the Addicks have had Pompey’s number for some time now is no exaggeration and it comes as a surprise that they trail 46-40 in clashes between these fine old football clubs. 

There have, of course, been many draws, the most recent of them a 2-2 standoff at Fratton Park earlier this season, thanks to Conor McGrandles’ added-time equaliser.

Describing this bang-average game as forgettable is admittedly misleading. There was too much at stake for both teams and nervous tension alone made it compelling. You couldn’t actually take your eyes off it, below standard though it was, and the explosion of local relief when referee Robert Madley’s whistle brought to an end seven added minutes told its own story. It had, by that time, become unthinkable to lose.

Hyperactive Charlton boss Nathan Jones, though still winless, has introduced an unmistakable core of steel into his new charges. Every one of them gave every inch and every ounce for the cause, the pick of them rock-solid centre-half Lloyd Jones and teenage midfielder Karoy Anderson. 

Jones won everything in the air, while snuffing out 15-goal top scorer Colby Bishop; up-and coming Karoy, as they say, covered every blade of his home grass to devastating effect. The kid’s looking like a hot property so keep it to yourself.


There was much to admire in a gutsy performance, which put into shameful perspective some of the spineless offerings which brought Charlton to the parlous position in which they find themselves. Most football fans will range behind a team, whatever their shortcomings, if they can see they’re giving their best. 

That was clearly not the case earlier in this dismal season. And if players improve like Jones, Anderson and Daniel Kanu, another 19-year-old with considerable potential, that support will be unshakeable.

It was Kanu who came closest to purloining all three points as early as the third minute. Set up by Anderson and the ever-industrious Alfie May, he beat Will Norris with a low drive but was dismayed to see the ball rebound off the far post and neatly into Norris’s hands. 

There were other half-chances in a defence-dominated game, the first of the visitors’ arriving a minute after Kanu’s near miss.

Favoured by the run of the ball, Bishop took aim from close range but Isted rose to the occasion with an instinctive save. Having blown his opportunity, Bishop disappeared into Jones’s pocket and was no bother to anyone for the rest of a tense afternoon.

Before the game settled into stalemate, there were occasional moments at either end, none so pulse-quickening as the double chance which the visitors squandered  in the 16th minute. Joe Rafferty’s right-wing cross presented Callum Lang with a point-blank opening which was brilliantly parried by Harry Isted but instantly returned by Paddy Lane’s looping header. 

Isted was a helpless witness as the ball rebounded off his crossbar. 

Before the break, the lively Tennai Watson’s hard-driven cross was met at the near post but bundled wide by a May-Kanu partnership.

May had contributed a hardworking stint but currently needs a goal for validation. He was replaced on the hour by Chuks Aneke, who brought with him his customary combination of chaos and effectiveness. Soon after replacing May, Charlton’s big talisman helped an impressive Thierry Small fashion a fleeting chance, which Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Reg to his mates) scuffed awkwardly at Norris.

Pompey’s best prospects of breaking the deadlock, meanwhile, lay in converting one of the flurry of setpieces which raised the tension on and off the pitch. 

To that end, dead-ball specialist Jack Sparkes was introduced just past the hour and wasted no time in making an impression. His viciously swerving  corner was superbly touched to safety by Isted, who distinguished himself again when Sparkes stepped up to take a free kick, conceded by George Dobson’s clumsy foul on Marlon Pack. Another wicked curler from Sparkes was finger-tipped  over the bar by the defiant keeper.

The entire Valley held its breath two minutes from time when substitute Myles Peart-Harris broke away from the halfway line and closed on Isted’s goal, with Macaulay Gillesphey and Jones in frantic pursuit. 

As Pompey’s speed merchant shaped to shoot from near the 18-yard line, Gillesphey executed the cleanest of recovery tackles, which whisked the ball off Peart-Harris’ toes. It was a thing of considerable beauty and most of the ground rose to salute it. From a prone position underneath his press seat, your reporter gamely joined in.

Sooner or later, so we hope, Charlton will experience again the satisfaction of winning a league game. In the meantime, they are being kept alive by draws, of which this is the 13th. Only seven games have been won. 

It can’t go on. The fire down below is waiting to consume us. Somebody do something!

Charlton: Isted, Edmonds-Green, Jones, Terell Thomas, Small, Dobson, Tennai Watson (Gillesphey 77), Bakinson (Camara 77), Anderson (Edun 90), May (Aneke 60), Kanu (Tyreece Campbell 90). Not used: Maynard-Brewer, Ladapo.  Booked: Bakinson, Jones.

Portsmouth: Norris, Ogilvie (Sparkes 61), Pack, Bishop, Rafferty, Raggett, Moxon, Kamara, Lane (Peart-Harris 73), Lang (Yengi 73), Shaughnessy.

Not used: Macey, Towler, Saydee, Martin.  Referee: Robert Madley

Monday 26 February 2024

Rushden & Higham United 3 v 3 Wellingborough Whitworth

Saturday 17th February 2024, Kick-off 15.00
Spartan South Midlands League Division One
Hayden Lane, Rushden
Admission: £6.00
Programme: Online only
Attendance: 100 (estimate)


I had originally planned a trip to the Dorset / Devon border today, with a visit to one of Bridport, Axminster Town or Honiton Town. However, those plans were altered with more rain falling overnight and into the morning onto already sodden ground, and so I decided to head northwards, where the forecast was a sot drier. It turned out to be a wise decision, as all three of my possible destinations out west were indeed postponed. 




After arriving at Bedford train station, I then made my way to Bedford Bus Station, stopping for a lunchtime curry at Wetherspoons, taking advantage of a special deal there today on Chicken Tikka Masala, before heading my way northwards by bus to Rushden, taking about 40 minutes, with Hayden Road about a 15 minute walk away from the nearest bus stop. Hayden Road is shared with AFC Rushden & Diamonds, and some of the facilities at the ground are closed on Rushden & Higham United matchdays, due to the smaller crowds in attendance.There are two metallic turnstile blocks, but neither were in use today, instead visitors are directed through a corridor and into the clubhouse, with entrance to the ground itself paid for at a table by a door. Facilities are certainly superior to what would usually be expected at Step 6 level, but benefits from the presence of AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who have played at Hayden Road as high as Step 3. A main stand is located just to one side of the half way line, but unfortunately this is inaccessible to spectators on health and safety grounds. There is just hard standing along this length, with a couple of sections of cover in front of the clubhouse building, and where several rows of old fashioned uncovered terrace steps stretch around the corner flag and then intermiittently around the rest of the ground. A further home made wooden stand is located close to the far corner flag, and along the opposute length, which rises a little above pitch level, there is a a fairly long all-seater metallic stand.. Behind the far ends are two modern stands, to one side of the goal is an all-seater stand, whilst to the other side is a metallic stand covering a few steps to stand on. It is an interesting ground with reasnable facilities, but is looking rather run down and could do with a little TLC, but is perhaps indicative of both home clubs falling on relatively hard times - with AFC Rushden & Diamonds looking destined to a return to Step 5 football next season.







A glance at the league table suggested that this should be a comfortable away win, with Rushden down in 18th place in the 20 club division, following four wins and five draws from their 21 league games so far. But they do have games in hand on most clubs above them, and are only behind Letchworth Garden City Eagles on goal difference but have played two games less, and four points behind Eaton Socon, with four games in hand.. Wellingboroigh were up in second place, following 16 wins and five draws from their 23 league games, ten points adrift of leaders Northampton ON Chenecks, but with three games in hand.









A match report from Rushden and Higham United's persepctive can be read below 










Sunday 18 February 2024

Charlton Athletic 1 v 1 Lincoln City

Tuesday 13th February 2024, Kick-off 19.45
EFL League One
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.50
Attendance: 13,955 (1,070  away)


A match report can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below.

Brief video highlights can be viewed by clicking here , and extended highlights by clicking here






Kevin Nolan’s Valley View: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Lincoln City

A second-half revival saw the troubled Addicks snatch a point at The Valley on Tuesday night. KEVIN NOLAN was there for Nathan Jones’s first home match as manager.

This dogged point which, under different circumstances, might have been greeted with a degree of satisfaction, hardly improved Charlton’s chances of beating the drop into League Two. Their winless streak, which was extended to 14 games, stretches back to November, when fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town were beaten 2-1 at The Valley.

A murderous upcoming schedule, which includes trips to Bolton Wanderers and Derby County, with a visit from table-topping Portsmouth sandwiched between them, challenges even the most upbeat of supporters to remain optimistic. Both Wanderers and County won comfortably in SE7 while Pompey have a score to settle with their bogey team and will be thirsting for revenge in a fortnight’s time. The immediate prospects are bleak.

A subdued but largely uncritical crowd of just over 12,000 watched in funereal silence as their new-look team, under Nathan Jones’ week-old stewardship, edged a dreary first half but still contrived to fall behind before the interval.

On the subject of streaks, Charlton’s last clean sheet was achieved when Reading were spanked 4-0 way back on October 21, a humiliation for which the Biscuitmen extracted retribution at the weekend. Sure enough, the Addicks conceded eight minutes before the break to visitors who until then had appeared content to go through pacific motions.

The goal, almost inevitably scored by an ex-Addick, resulted from a rare error by reinstalled captain George Dobson. 

Actually, it was his second mistake, the first a wayward header which set up Ted Bishop to shoot wastefully wide of Harry Isted’s left hand post. In the 37th minute, Dobson was again responsible for a weakly headed clearance of Sean Roughan’s right-wing cross but was punished this time by Reeco Hackett, who took a touch before hammering an unstoppable drive into the near corner.


Dobson had been a surprise choice to start, with the rumours and counter-rumours about his future still buzzing on the various media outlets. He was not his usual all-action self but still put his foot in and never shirked a challenge. Like most footballers, George’s merits divide opinion but even his detractors acknowledge the 100-per-cent effort he applies to each and every game, in which he is involved. His return to the colours was probably, in part at least, down to Jones’s influence. 

The new gaffer has wisely made it a condition of engagement that he intends to manage, not merely coach. The disrespectful handling of his skipper’s situation would surely have incurred his displeasure.

Another welcome addition to Saturday’s bench was the talismanic Chuks Aneke, a powerful blend of physicality and skill who galvanised the crowd and upset the complacent Imps. Aneke relieved an out-of-sorts Alfie May just past the hour mark and, as always, this force of attacking nature changed the dynamic. 

Suddenly the visitors began to fray at the edges and less than ten minutes later, the Addicks were level.

Charlton’s precious point-saver was claimed by Freddie Ladapo, another substitute – but one anxious to make a positive impression after his five previous appearances had won him few friends locally. 

His goal was Route One in both conception and execution, owing much to Aneke’s hustling and bustling of Paudie O’Connor as they tussled under a hopeful punt over the top. The loose ball broke to Ladapo, who gleefully buried  a brutal shot past Lukas Jensen, a clinical finish which will hopefully provide its author with a confidence booster.

It also had the virtue of silencing over 500 visitors who had assured us that Charlton were “going down”.

Trite, hackneyed and derivative though the taunts might have been, there’s no disputing their potential accuracy. When a creditable point was deservedly earned at Barnsley as recently as December 16, the Addicks were comfortably ensconced in 10th place, safe and apparently secure in mid-table doldrums, while blithely oblivious to the treacherous currents about to suck them under. Since then, they have plunged into 20th  position, one point above Port Vale, who have three games in hand. 

It’s a statement of the bleedin’ obvious but Charlton have forgotten how to win a game of football. “Useful” points are no longer of use. Winning is all that matters now. The process begins in Bolton on Saturday.

Mindlessly optimistic, of course, if not a trifle ironic. But we live in hope…

Charlton: Isted, Tennai Watson, Jones, Thomas, Edmonds-Green, Dobson, Bakinson (Camara 71), Anderson, Ramsay (Edun 82), Kanu (Ladapo 71), May (Aneke 64). Not used: Maynard-Brewer., Campbell, Gillesphey.  Booked: Kanu, Anderson, Camara.

Lincoln: Jensen. Sorensen. Erhahon, 0’Connor, Roughan, Mitchell, Bishop (Moylan 57), Mandroiu (Duffy 90), Draper (House 57), Hackett, Taylor (Makama 90). 

Not used: Wright, Eyoma.  Booked: Erhahon, Roughan, House.

Referee: David Rock.  

Sunday 11 February 2024

Denmead 0 v 3 Liphook United

Saturday 10th February 2024, Kick-off 15.00
Hampshire FA Saturday Trophy Quarter Final
Front Lawn Community Hub, Havant
Admission: Free
Programme: £2.00
Attendance: 50 (estimate)



With heavy rain falling over the last few days causing a significant number of games to be postponed the day before, and virtually all games on grass to be inspected this morning, I decided to take the safe option today by choosing a 3G venue which would be a relatively striaghtforward journey for me, also because I had had quite a busy week with my trip down to the West Country and my toe still causing some discomfort. What sealed the deal was the knowledge that Denmead are issuing printing programmes - a rare treat indeed in the Hampshire Premier League.






The Front Lawn Community Hub is about a twenty minute walk northwards from Havant train station, located on the opposite side of a road from Havant & Waterlooville’s home ground, Westleigh Park. As well as offering tennis, netball and basketball facilities, the complex also hosts playing fields and a 3G cage, which fellow Hampshire League outfit Harvest, as well as Denmead, call home. It's an unremarkable venue indeed, with standing only available along about two thirds of one length, and with no covered or seated areas available. A decent if very advert heavy programme printed in colour was available at the entrance, with buyers trusted to put £2 in the tub. A range of hot and cold refreshements are available from the complex's pavilion building a very short walk away from the cage, offering a seated area and a big screen showing freeview channels.






2023 was quite a traumatic year for Denmead, which saw them resign from the Hampshire League at the end of last season, with a reformed club taking its place for this season but relocating its home venue to Petersfield School, but then returning to the home ground of the original Denmead club at Front Lawn in October. But they have been having a decent season in the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division so far, and are currently in seventh place, following nine wins and a draw from their 18 league games so far. Liphook United are having a great season, up in second place, following twelve wins and a draw from their 15 league games. Both league fixtures between the two clubs this season have already taken place, with Liphook winning 2-0 on both occasions.





On a fairly mild and mostly overcast afternoon, although the low sun shone brightly as the game neared its conclusion, Denmead started quite well, doing much of the attacking, although it was Liphook who were creating the standout chances. In the 13th minute, a header from a cross was heading for the top right corner, but the Denmead keeper just managed to tip the ball onto the bar and over. But on 33 minutes, the visitors took the lead when a cross from the byline took a deflection, sending the ball looping high and dropping down for Billy Allcock to tap home from close range. And they doubled their lead in the 40th minute when a cross from the right was met by Phil Moore, who struck the ball home.In the fourth minute of added on time in the first half, Denmead came close to pulling a goal back, when a shot from a tight angle was blocked by the keeper's foot.




The scoreline at the break was a little harsh on Denmead, and again they did plenty of attacking at the start of the second half, without managing to create many gilt edged chances. And the game was pretty much put to bed in the 60th minute, when Liphook were awarded a penalty when a Denmead player bundled a Liphook forward over as he chased back, although it did look like the foul took place just outside the area.Henry Smith struck the penalty powerfully into the bottom right corner, despite the keeper going the right way. It was all Liphook after that, and they created several chances to further extend their lead but were unable to do so, and Denmead's misery was compunded in the 74th minute when they had a player sent off. And so it was Liphook who would proceed to the semi-finals