Charlton Athletic 2 Barnsley 1

Barnsley have been good since they came down and they play very expansive, which allowed us to really exploit spaces on the pitch.

It was a very entertaining game and a really good Addicks’ performance which gave us the 3 points in front of a pumped up Valley.

It was our best performance for many weeks and a number of players excelled led by Alfie May who scored two lovely goals and was so close to a hat-trick.

Barnsley started well, but the game set a pattern of what was to come as it swung like a pendulum both ways up the pitch.

The Tykes were denied what I thought was a penalty before Anderson’s determination won him a free-kick on the edge of their box. May stepped up and dispatched it. Alfie said after that he changed his mind where to place it after he saw their goalie move across the goal.

Barnsley have a ridiculously good away record and they were always going to create chances. They equalized when the returning Ramsey handled in the box and Phillips perfectly executed.

Barnsley had their tails up but once again our no.9 had more to say.

This I think was our best goal of the season. Gillesphey, on the left side of pitch, passed in towards Dobbo who instinctively dummied it. Their defender was sold and Alfie collected the ball moved quickly around another opponent and curled a lovely shot into the top corner.

It was a breathless half and it didn’t let up in the next one. Both teams had chances Barnsley initially with the better ones, as well as one called for offside, but Jones among many other things has instilled real stamina and we got stronger as the game went on.

Exploiting gaps left by Barnsley searching for the equalizer we had so many chances to get a third none best than Aneke having a penalty saved. He didn’t look confident stepping up, although it was a good save.

However Aneke and the almost forgotten Tyreece Campbell were excellent when they came on, and although we played more than 10 minutes added time (plus the 5 in the 1st half) they helped master a faultless end to the game.

There were many good performances. From the back I thought Thomas played well, and Small again, and we got a peek into the energy that he and Ramsey can bring as wing-backs.

Coventry was influential 2nd half, but Dobbo was excellent all over the pitch. Anderson still lacks a little composure, but he grafts and is very assertive for such a young age.

Kanu worked hard again, but this game was all about Alfie, who had his best game for us and after coming a couple of layers of paint short of a hat-trick, then had to watch from the bench as we were awarded a penalty.

50 points then and time to look ahead.

MoW: Alfie

Elsewhere: Carlisle were relegated today losing at Northampton. Fleetwood didn’t play but Cheltenham also lost at Leyton Orient. Port Vale moved ahead of Burton who were thrashed at home by Oxford. They move into the play-off places. Port Vale drew away at Wigan 0-0.