Charlton Athletic 2 Northampton Town 1
I didn’t really enjoy that. Northampton gave us a real run for their money, and never backed off, but we found a way to win, and win we did.
A play-off place is now secured with three games remaining and we move into 4th.
The game saw the return of Lloyd Jones, and AMB on the bench, but Gillesphey missed out. There was just nine minutes on the clock when we took the lead from our first flowing move.
Godden’s lovely bending cross was defended but fell to Luke Berry who expertly volleyed home. A great start and time to get the ball down and play, but no.
Just six minutes later Tom McIntyre gave away the most blatant of penalties when he inexplicably handled a cross. Costelloe comfortably converted and we were level.
McIntyre then looked apprehensive every time the ball came near him. I gave him MoM last week, but like in the last home game he was a mistake waiting to happen thereafter.
Level at the break, and time we hoped for a re-set, but the half began with the Cobblers by far the better team bullying us in midfield and out-pressing us into turnovers.
Jones had had enough and McIntyre was taken off for Aneke, and we looked much more functional with Edwards moving to the left of the three central defenders, and Small and TC moving to right and left wing back respectively.
Aneke was a focal point and Berry had a couple of half-chances before Godden headed against the crossbar from a Small cross.
The Valley noise was getting louder, and the packed Covered End were willing the ball into the net, and on 72 minutes an Aneke flick from Mannion’s goal kick saw Godden run through to finish under the goalkeeper to give us the lead.
There were more nervous moments, and Jones threw on three late subs, but we held on to a brittle but big win.
It was great to see The Valley with 20,000+ inside it, and we march on.
🎙️“We are a work in progress. We’ve had to go through some tough times – we came from 18th in League One and not having won in 18 games – to where we are now. But what a run we have been on. Then you see the fans and the place is moving forward – we are so, so happy about that.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Matt Godden
🏟️ 20,198 (1,238 Northampton)
📸 Paul Edwards
Well as chief pessimist of late 2024, I’m astounded we’re now in the play-offs.
However, it has to be said. Gathering wins and points we may be, but convincing we ain’t. Another poor performance today.
Two much sterner tests coming up. I struggle to see us getting anything from Wycombe and Wrexham. Though I imagine we’ll beat Burton on the last day.
The play-offs are a very difficult route to promotion, I would love it to happen, but I’m not confident.
crap team crap manager apparently
I didn’t enjoy it but we won. Not sure we are ready for the Championship but who knows!
Well CA once again it’s all about the result, honestly don’t think you’re gonna see too much champagne football from any of the teams scrapping for play off positions at this stage of the season. But a win is as win is a win and as top points takers this year outside them financially cheating blue noses, not sure why you’d be anything but optimistic heading into the PO’s.
Classic NJ in the pm interview, has to have his told you so moment, and fair play why wouldn’t you, but the guys a club builder, fact, look what he did for Luton, look what he’s doing for us. He’s at the helm no doubt about that and long may it continue.
As said above in comments, a win is a win, and those wins have now projected us into the play offs. The pessimist in me is worried about our Jekyll and Hyde performances. Are we good enough to get positive results over two legs against any of the other qualifiers……..everything will be crossed come those dates in May. COYR.
Totally agree Greg, we very much do have these Jekyll and Hyde performances and will we be good enough over two legs whoever we play! Can’t understand why Gilbert hasn’t been playing, as everytime he has been given a chance, he has looked confident, looks to move the ball forward rather than sideways and backwards, gets back to help in defence and can actually pass the ball accurately to another player.
As for McIntyre he’s not ready to be included in any further games as any further errors, would cost us. All I can assume Mitchell is completely out of favour for some reason, as Jones was previously glowing with his no nonsense style of football which was why he signed him, but he’s hardly had a look in for quite a long while!
My main concern is, if we did get to the final, we currently have only one real striker available who is able to score reguarly, Godden! If he struggles or gets any sort of injury, who is there, as Chucks can’t find his shooting boots and would really struggle anyway to keep up on a large Wembly pitch, McBick no real experince at this level and Ahadme, well I won’t even bother, as can’t see why he’s on the bench anyway, as it appears even Jones has lost complete faith in him as he only brings him on for 10mins or so, if we are well in control, not when we are struggling.
Currently I believe our best chance of promotion would be to win our last three games and scrape in with the other two contenders messing up, but if not, just have to pray and hope somehow we could manage it, as at least half of this team would really struggle in the Championship. COYR
Agree Mike. Gilbert’s absence from the starting eleven is puzzling. Mitchell and Gillesphey not even on the bench yesterday either. If by any chance we can get promoted,the owners will have to dig deep, as several of the current squad won’t be able to hold their own in the Championship.
We got the job done, defensively we were strong and Lloyd Jones on his return had a hard day but was near faultless. Maybe the idea was to give him 60/70 minutes but with McIntyre looking nervous it was he who got subbed off and there was no Alex Mitchell on the bench which I thought odd. Was he injured? What was that penalty about though? A blatant hand ball and I can only think he was shoved, but if your hand is up there then it’s an accident waiting to happen. Other than that Northampton had plenty of pressure but didn’t create anything and we took two of our chances.
Although we look tired a few other teams around us struggled, Stockport needed a late goal to get a point, Wrexham drew in a match that had a home win stamped all over it, Reading and Bolton lost – only Orient and Wycombe won and the O’s needed three late goals to get over the line. We aren’t the only team that’s running on fumes.
That was a tough game and credit to Northampton who fought and chased every ball and Kevin Nolan must be pleased with his team despite losing.
We were very competitive and we dealt well with most aspects of the match and delighted that our win moves us into the play-offs.
COYRs
Charlton could be the party poopers for both Wycombe and Wrexham and decide on who finishes second. I hope it’s Wycombe because I can’t stand Wrexham. I have a feeling Stockport will win the playoffs because you aren’t consistent enough but it’s a few cup finals to the end of the season and the results will be decided in which team plays best on the day.