FC Halifax Town 0 Charlton Athletic 4

It’s what good teams do. How many times have you seen other sides kill games off so convincingly late on?

4-0 flattered us, and Halifax played very well with Sullivan’s early 2nd half stop key but we weathered the expected storms at the beginning of each half and scored goals at vital times of the match to vanish some Northwich Victoria memories and move into the next round where we were given a home tie against Carlisle United.

I watched the game on an internet feed that was a little temperamental but it was a good game and the match was without the feeling of exasperation of many previous cup ties against lower-placed opposition.

It was good to see Powell play a strong team and he included BWP, Wiggins and Green on the bench. The back four gave good protection to Sullivan throughout although Hughes stole in to nick away a very early chance for the Shaymen.

After Morrison last week, it was nice to see Matt Taylor direct a clever head in for the first. Johnnie Jackson, who was excellent throughout, scored the all-important second with a powerful shot, and then as opposition heads started to drop, Hollands clipped in a third.

I thought Halifax’s Lowe was unlucky to get a straight red and it was a shame the referee felt it necessary but we were now rampant and substitute Bradley Pritchard, back from inury, controlled beautifully a pass from debutant Michael Smith and finished with aplomb for his first Addicks goal.

Pritchard and Smith made good late cameos and both will be happy they played their parts. Hayes had a couple of half chances but did walk away with two assists but I thought Jason Euell added nothing and although I accept his experience and Charlton-ness is valuable around the club, I would hope his play-time is now restricted. Which makes me ask how far Paul Benson is now down the pecking order?

Cedric Evina showed good promise again and I wished he moved forward a little more because he was threatening on the odd occasion that he did and Solly had another strong game but was tested when the quick Jason St Juste came on.

So a very professional performance and four more goals. Back to the mundanity of the league on Saturday!

Addicks at The Shay:
Powell-ometer: I thought he picked a strong side with an array of options on the bench. He would have been pleased with the professionalism shown as well as fine cameo’s from Bradley Pritchard and Michael Smith.
Elsewhere: Wycombe fell to Conference title challengers Fleetwood Town. Rochdale got beaten at Bradford City, Chesterfield lost at home to Torquay and Bury’s defeat to Crawley was less of a shock. What was though was Swindon thrashing Huddersfield 4-1 at the County Ground, although the Terriers did rest many of their first team regulars. All the other League One sides entered the hat for the 2nd Round.