Charlton Athletic 4 Bristol City 1
What a perfect way to round off the season and I was delighted that I could be there to witness it and fourth consecutive home win adds much greater credibility to our season’s home record.
Pre-match was a little insight into what is must be like to be a Man United fan as one trophy followed another paraded around the outside of the pitch. It’s also nice to take ones seat knowing that the result didn’t matter, but we were all hoping to sign the season of in style.
It was a mostly forgettable first 45 minutes as the teams closed out the season in one of the few games in the division that had nothing resting on it. The only moment of note, particularly to me, was poor Rhoys Wiggins limping off early with an injury. On Thursday the likable young left back was telling me how much stronger he was feeling after each game after his long lay-off. I hope this hamstring injury won’t ruin his summer and he comes back stronger still in August.
At the half, all the talk behind the East Stand was of the other games, all still equally poised, and as we made our way back to our seats no one I suspect expected to witness what was going to happen in the next 5 minutes.
Yann Kermorgant appeared more up for it in the first half than most, but his legendary status around SE7 reached epic proportions when he volleyed home a cross from Mark Gower that nearly took the net down.
Before we had settled back down the Frenchman then sent a bullet of a header past the Bristol City keeper that he never even got a whiff off. This time is was a cross from Solly on the left after good skill from the twinkle-toed Harriott, whose attacking play was constantly applauded by the appreciative home fans.
2-0 and three sides of The Valley were dreaming of a team of Kermorgant’s.
The Valley relaxed into song but just as City seemed dead and buried Morrison, abetted a little by Wilson, set the young Reid up to lob Button, who was injured in the process of trying to keep the ball out that he had little chance with.
The goal caused a little increase in tempo from the Bristolians led mostly by the impressive Adomah, who had come on for the invisible Sam Baldock. Button was replaced and a debut was given to young Nick Pope.
Kermorgant had already put a bouncing shot wide, but then in a moment of magic chipped the City goalkeeper from the edge of the box but Yann got his measurements just an inch too high and ball bounced back off the underside of the bar for the impressive Obika to head home his 3rd Valley goal.
It was party time now as we stormed forward at every opportunity. Gower sent Pritchard hurtling away with a precise pass splitting two defenders and Pritchard teased a lovely ball into the box, past the predatory Kermorgant desperate to take the match ball home but to the far post where the skipper Jackson fired home in front of a ecstatic Covered End.
A 5th nearly came when one almighty scramble was somehow blocked numerous times, but as the final whistle blew Addicks rose around the ground to serenade a squad, a manager and his coaching staff that we can be proud off.
This season was not easy and there were plenty of moments of concern and apprehension but once again Chris Powell led a group of players that we can believe and trust in and the journey under one of the most loved men in Charlton’s recent history continues with hope and aspirations.
Fellow Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Deepest Darkest; Stickleback; Blackheath Addick; Hungry Ted; Ramblings of a Football Fan.
Powell-ometer: Typically heartfelt words from the Gaffer at the end of the game followed by celebratory jumps was a nice memory to take home after an impressive first season finish back in The Championship
Elsewhere: Congratulations to Hull City who stumbled over the promotion line to join Cardiff City in next season’s Premier League. They couldn’t beat Cardiff, but despite knowing what they had to do for an additional 15 minutes, Watford lost at home to Leeds and will contest the play-off’s. The Hornets will meet Leicester, who grabbed a late winner at Forest to finish 6th and put an end to Forest’s hopes. Bolton also blew it by failing to beat Blackpool at home when in the box seat. Palace sadly came from behind twice to beat Peterborough, who were relegated. Palace will meet Brighton in the Surrey/Sussex derby. At the bottom the woeful Wolves joined an unfortunate Peterborough after their defeat to Brighton. Barnsley escaped as they played out, rather passively towards the end, a 2-2 drew with Huddersfield, who also survived. Millwall were the most lucky. Winning just won game in their last 9, they lost again at nothing-to-play-for Derby, but stayed up courtesy of Barnsley not winning and Palace’s late win. Sheffield Wednesday ended 18th, 9 places below us after they beat Middlesbrough 2-0. Burnley beat Ipswich 2-0 and Birmingham and Blackburn drew 1-1.
