Walsall 1 Charlton Athletic 1

It sounded like an exciting game although the Radio London commentator was prone to exaggerate, saying there were 2,500 Charlton fans at the Bescot for example. Nonetheless the game could have gone either way with Walsall playing far better than their position suggested and I’ll settle for a point.

It was end to end stuff and for the first time in many weeks I listened/watched nervously as the game entered the last 20 minutes. However from the commentary every time we attacked we sounded threatening, mind you so did they. Darel Russell headed incredibly from his own goal line with 20 minutes left.

For once five minutes of added on time was welcomed by Addicks as we piled on the pressure forcing a couple of corners, having an apparent clear penalty turned down and Ephraim hitting the post with the last action of the game. It was a point to add to our total though and we now move on to the next one and a busy Christmas period.

I have to mention our ‘Man U moment’ however when with 10 minutes to go ’til the break it came across (to me anyway) that we were just destined to score as we upped a gear after going behind. Kermie finally heading in an Ephraim cross. Unless the commentator was bigging it up, which on other evidence he might have been, it showed how much confidence we have in our ability knowing that we can force a goal.

Addick Bloggers at The Bescot: Drinking During the Game; Doctor Kish.
Powell-ometer: Powell left Hayes out for Euell, which in my mind left us light of attacking options on the bench and Hughes has gone from being an automatic starter to not in the matchday squad. It’s also worth noting that the 16-man squad had 3 short term loans in it.
Elsewhere: Huddersfield lost again, this time at home (the first time since last Boxing Day) to Bournemouth. A defeat that Lee Clark described as the worst performance in his 3 years in charge. Sheffield Wednesday closed the gap though winning 2-0 at Oldham, Sheffield United easily beat Rochdale at Bramall Lane and MK Dons went to Tranmere and won. Notts County lost at Yeovil and Gary Alexander got a late winner for the Bees at home to Hartlepool. At the bottom Stuart Beavon grabbed a last-minute winner for Wycombe as they beat Chesterfield 3-2.