Charlton Athletic 2 Walsall 1

I gave a little punch of the air yesterday as I queued for Doctor Doom’s Fearful at Universal’s Islands of Adventure when the final whistle blew at The Valley.

Back to winning ways to start the new year and into 5th.

Sounded as in the first half we were awesome, many describing it as our best football of the season with the team playing with confidence and finesse as Walsall chased shadows. Of course scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes will help that.

Bowyer re-shuffled his limited pack and Albie Morgan started in midfield. Without Aribo the midfield needed someone who can get the ball down and Morgan provides that and by all accounts was excellent. Dillon Phillips started of course, Toby Stevenson played left back and Naby Sarr came in at centre-back.

Literally down to the bare bones but great again to see Grant and Taylor score to kick start the new year.

The 2nd half was much different. They got an early goal and it was a struggle, but we battled it out and saw out the game. I watched Taylor’s disallowed goal and could not see what an earth was wrong with it. Regaining a two-goal cushion would have helped the heart rates for sure.

Now we hope that Bowyer can get the two players in he suggested postgame before Sunderland.

Addicks at The Valley: Doctor Kish;
Bow: “I think you could see we were tired in the last twenty minutes or half-an-hour. We just ran out of steam. They got that quick goal and it gave them a bit of a lift but first-half I thought we were outstanding. I think that’s the best we’ve played, that first 45 minutes, since I’ve been here.”
Elsewhere: Over 7,000 Sunderland fans witnessed their win at Blackpool. Portsmouth beat Wimbledon 2-1 and Luton and Barnsley played out a goalless draw. Doncaster hit 5 at home to Rochdale, who’ve let in 9 in two games. Lee Novak scored twice as Scunthorpe won at Peterborough.