Charlton Athletic 2 Lincoln City 1
An important win. The Portsmouth result would have meant nothing unless we followed it up today.
We deserved the win, but true to form we somehow almost blew it at the end. As the weather deteriorated so did our confidence and Lincoln came within inches of equalizing as we played an unexplainable 9 minutes of injury time.
We started sluggish as well allowing Lincoln to impose their ‘up and at em’ style on us from the off, but we settled down and created a couple of openings before taking a 36th minute lead.
Fraser sent Leaburn away down the right, the youngster then fired over a tasty cross that was met by Fraser’s head and although the ‘keeper got a hand to it, he couldn’t keep it out.
Fraser was good today and offers so much more playing higher up the pitch where Holden has had him playing.
We were cruising after that and we added a second before the break when Blackett-Taylor fired delightfully into the roof of the net. Fraser this time the provider.
CBT is a frustrating player to watch, as much as he has a goal like that in his locker, he equally can fire them into Sam Bartram Close. In the 2nd half he created a couple of opportunities for himself that afterwards you just wish he hadn’t as the end product was so meh.
Miles Leaburn really should have put the game to bed straight after half-time when Rak-Sakyi pounced on an error had a shot saved and Miles spooned it over.
Our clean sheet woes continued when Lincoln gathering a little confidence after hardly being it, scored with 15 normal minutes left.
Still, there didn’t seem to be any concerns but as the rain lashed down and we played until past 5 o’clock Lincoln almost grabbed an equalizer and we bayed for the referee to finally blow up.
Those last few minutes showed that we still have a fragility about us, but generally the defending today was less scientific and more simplistic with Ness and Inniss clearing lines and throwing themselves into blocks well.
It was all about the result today, but we deserved to get our second win on the bounce, and we head to Manchester in good spirits.
Dean Holden: “But we saw it through. We won ugly in the end. The conditions were tough. We stuck at it. Ideally, we would have been more comfortable, and I’m disappointed we didn’t get that clean sheet. But we can’t snuff at two wins in the last two games.”
Stats (CAFC first): Possession – 60% / 40%; Passes – 461 / 298; Accurate passes – 341 / 164; Shots (on target) – 19 (7) / 11 (2).
Chicago Addick 
Agree with comments, it nearly went pear shaped when our play maker architect Morgan came off, I’m sure to rest him for midweek fixture. All played well to see out a massive win.
Delighted with the win and we played confident football and created many chances.
Lincoln battled and a great midfield battle commenced…with Dobbo dominating the areas.
We looked organised and deserved our 2-0 lead, but once the rain and wind invaded the game we showed vulnerability at the back.
Taking of Morgan seemed to affect our play and concentration leading to us conceding a goal.
The last 7 minutes of extra time was nerve-racking but to our credit we hung on.
A good team display and a well deserved win.
I don’t fancy winning at Manchester but who knows in Cup football ?
Barnsley are in our sights !!
I was able to go to the game today, rather than watch the live video and apart from the rain, which was like a hurricane for about ten minutes, was so glad I did. Also fortunately for us supporters the extra 9 minutes, stopped us all getting absolutely drenched getting out of the ground, as the sky cleared just before the final whistle and the rain stopped completely, so we got back to my friends car all nice and dry!
Anyway, sitting right behind me in the closed off section, in the directors & friends seats etc, was Carl Leaburn all by himself and we had quite good chat before and at half time and we made comments to one another throughout the game. Have never spoken to him before, but he seemed a really genuine nice person and very down to earth, which shows through with Miles, when he has been interviewed.
Our conversation covered quite a few things, but one point which I think is interesting, as I don’t think Carl would mind me saying is that, Miles really loves it here and at this present time would not want to move to another club and stay at Charlton. Good news for us supporters, but in the end if he did leave in this transfer window, it wouldn’t be down to Miles, so it would finally prove these new bunch of cowboys/potential new owners, have no real interest in Charlton itself and trying to keep any of these young good players and are only in this for themselves in getting a good quick buck, before moving the Club onto some other shysters!
So it will be very interesting to see what this window brings, both in and out!!!
Glad you got down there Mike. I have heard a few people say that both Tracey and Carl have said that Miles is in no rush to leave, and they act as his advisors too. It would be nice to bank a few appearances from one of our academy players for a change, but I believe the sale of Leaburn has appeared in sale papers as part of a budget plan..