Charlton Athletic 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
At 3.07pm Brighton and Charlton fans on four sides of The Valley stood and applauded in an emotional unison. Both sets of supporters, intertwined by refusing to allow their football clubs to die in front of them, celebrated how each of their teams had effectively been re-born, us two decades ago and Albion in the last decade by coming home.
It was an idea started by fellow Blogger Hungry Ted and although it wasn’t quite like being there, it came across loud and clear on the radio and brought a lump to my throat.
Just after we scored and I was running the length of the living room as the returning Lawrie Wilson touched in a Dale Stephens cross. Perhaps sensibly we didn’t throw caution to the wind, but it sounded as if we were having the upper hand, but then a mistake by Morrison let in the lethal Mackail-Smith and it was all square.
In the 2nd half the commentary made it sound as if Brighton were having all the possession. Regrettably Danny Haynes was getting hardly a mention as Powell appeared to playing very narrow again.
However out of nothing we regained the lead. The tireless Pritchard ending a neat move and somehow we were ahead. I sat there thinking, if only we can hold out for 10 minutes…..
The lead lasted five, and was a ruddy deflected free-kick to add to an defensive mistake. With plenty of time left and the travelling supporters in good voice, I feared the worse but not an awful lot appeared to happen after that and both sides and supporters settled for a honourable draw.
I was surprised that Powell made as many changes as he did. Although an illness to Seaborne once again forced the Gaffer’s hand. That did allow Wilson to return, whose performance has gotten some rave reviews. Frimpong and Haynes both played as I had hoped yesterday but Cort missing out was a shock. Perhaps Dervite was considered more mobile?
I would have taken the draw beforehand. I rate Brighton as a very good side and think Poyet’s men will be in the mix come May. We move on to two away games with another building block added.
Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Drinking During the Game; Blackheath Addick;
Powell-ometer: More team changes for Powelly, but it sounded as if he was a little negative and Haynes was wasted. In saying that without a defensive mistake and a deflected free-kick we would have won.
Elsewhere: There were a lot of 2-2 draws. Palace were pegged back by Ian Holloway’s previous club Blackpool, Huddersfield equalised late at home to Bolton, likewise Vardy for Leicester as Barnsley took a very creditable draw. Middlesbrough won at bottom-placed Peterborough and Bristol City had the result of the day winning 3-2 at Hillsborough. Wednesday were 2-1 up with 4 minutes left. Forest beat Burnley 2-0, Hull had a good win at Watford and Wolves beat Birmingham 1-0 in the Midland’s derby. On-form Leeds lost at Derby and Ipswich surprisingly thrashed Millwall 3-0. Last night Cardiff won at a canter at Blackburn 4-1.
