Charlton Athletic 3 Wycombe Wanderers 2
I watched today’s game on iFollow. Couple of nice and fair Wycombe commentators talked us through an open game which saw us just about hang on for a 3-2 win and 3 more points. Why don’t Charlton sign up to iFollow. Anyone know?
We kicked off and took the game to the Chairboys energetically. That lasted 3 minutes, after that we were pretty dire, and although Williams scored with an excellent curling shot he had our penalty box to himself.
Wycombe played high up the pitch with good tempo and were the better side in the first half half hour. Then we started to get the ball out wide, Grant was causing some damage and out of the blue we scored. Jombati slicing into his own net from a teasing Lewis Page cross.
After that the game was wide open with chances at both ends before the half-time whistle. Taylor’s overhead kick the pick of them. Even the Wycombe commentators salivated over that one.
2nd half subs Lapslie and Reeves turned the game. Reeves, thoughtful and probing. Lapslie direct and energetic.
Meanwhile Lyle Taylor, who at one point looked as if he’d may have to go off, was suddenly a menace. He was everywhere, and frankly put on a brilliant 2nd half display and deserved his goal, as well as his long drawn out standing ovation when he was substituted late on.
Taylor’s goal was from about a half-yard out, but it’s been a while since we’ve had a striker like that, and he put us ahead in front of the Covered End after Bauer did really well to turn the ball back from a Grant cross. Grant too was becoming a threat, and when he and Taylor click, they are a handful at this level.
We were on top now and with 10 minutes to go Naby Sarr got our 3rd. Again it was scrappy as he bundled home a Reeves free-kick.
So, home and hosed then. Oh no not Charlton. As the clock ticked towards 5pm and every other football in the country was on their way home, Wycombe pulled a goal back from a corner. Again it looked as if the scorer was unmarked.
Players down, substitutes, and general time-wasting ate up the 5 minutes of injury time as we got to claim the 3 points.
Addicks at The Valley: Addicks Third Division Diary;
Bow:“It’s good to win ugly at times.”
Elsewhere: Peterborough go top after winning at Southend 3-2. Pompey, by Shrewsbury, Barnsley, by Walsall and Sunderland, by Fleetwood, were all held at home. There were a lot of draws today but Blackpool came from 0-2 to beat Bradford at Bloomfield Road, Donny came from behind to beat Luton 2-1 and Joe Pigott got the winner for the Wimbledon at Gillingham.
Photo credit: @K_AndrewsPhoto
Chicago Addick 
we still need some decent depth at centre back, Bauer and Pierce work well together but neither is good enough to cover Sarr’s inadequacies too.
Totally agree, although Bielik can play central defender, regret nobody in U23s is good enough to be in contention.New recruit Stevenson looks promising but needs more time and he may be better suited to be a left back rather than a central defender, although he is playing central defender in the U23s at the present time. Injuries and suspensions could mean using 4 at the back.
The initial 3-4-3 system did not work in the first half, not creative enough in midfield, Ajose totally ineffective as one of a front 3. Reeves and Lapslie made the difference in a 3-5-2 formation. I find Aribo a bit frustrating he has quality but needs to show a greater workrate particularly when the opposition have the ball. Solly to me is a full back rather than a wing back if Bowyer wants to continue with 3 at the back he needs to make a change to a player who can cross the ball well and has the energy to get up and down the pitch. When Ward and Cullen are available Lapslie or Dijksteel might be the answer.