Charlton Athletic 2 West Bromwich Albion 2

What a cracking game. I’ll say it again. What a great division this is. It was fast paced with plenty of blood and thunder, and some really good football played.

WBA have some very classy players, and a deep bench but for the second league match this season we gave them a proper game. Just like at the Hawthorns we never stopped chasing, hustling, snapping at heels and running. Despite being behind twice our heads never dropped.

It was a special atmosphere and I have seen many photos on social media from Addicks who made their way back to The Valley after refusing to attend under the previous owner.

There was a real vitality in our performance. Marshalled by Pratley belying his age. Gallagher again covered every blade of grass and particularly in the 2nd half pushed us on and won tackles he had no right in winning. I was impressed with Andre Green, he’s a strong lad and was direct and quick and gave us a much needed out-ball.

As for the youngsters Doughty is some prospect and Dempsey did not let anyone down, but what a warrior Josh Davison was. He put his body into everything, but he also made some deft touches and of course got his goal. One year ago he scored a hat trick for Enfield Town in front of 147 people. Wake up Josh, this is not a dream!

We do have to stop conceding goals so quickly after kick off’s, and both goals could have been prevented, but that’s enough negatives from me.

What about that Naby tackle? On my, oh Naby you really are an enigma. Our best defender I thought was Oshilaja. He was very unfortunate to be taken off, and just after that as we adjusted formation, I think was our worst spell. Nonetheless it was so good to see Forster-Caskey and Williams back and they were both instrumental in turning the tide in our favour. Hemed too I hope can show us why he came with the reputation he had.

Then the goal, most definitely Lockyer’s. No way an o.g. The Welshman incidentally had a strange game, and had long running feud with Robson-Kanu, his Welsh team mate. Williams was involved in the build up, but it was an inviting cross from Doughty that was met beautifully by Lockyer in front of a packed Covered End.

Great game, that had everything. Two sets of players desperate to win, and despite some scraps and loads of bookings it was never more than full bloodied.

We finally have our Charlton back.

Addicks at The Valley: Drinking During the Game; Albury Addick;
Bow: “Of course, they created some chances but let’s not forget who we were playing there. They’ve got a hell of a lot of Premier League players and I’m really proud of my lads. To keep coming and to come from a goal behind two times.“
Elsewhere: Luton lost at home to Birmingham 2-1, Wigan went down 0-2 at home to Bristol City but Barnsley continued their revival under Gerhard Struber beating Huddersfield 2-1. Stoke and Millwall was goalless and Boro and Derby shared four goals. West Brom went top after Leeds lost at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Photo: Paul Edwards