Sorry Pirates put to the sword

27 November 2009

ASIDE from a 15 minute spell in the second half, Charlton thoroughly deserved their 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night, which maintained their second-place position in League One.

The SE7 outfit signalled their intent for the night from the off and had the ball in the net after just four minutes.

Kelly Youga won a tussle on the left wing with his opposite number and squared for Deon Burton, who lashed a low drive which Mikkel Anderson could only parry.

On-loan Reading striker David Mooney rushed in with the simplest of finishes, passing into an unprotected net from yards for the opener. After a spell of constant pressure, Burton added a second for the Addicks from the penalty spot on 16 minutes after Miguel Llera was hauled down inside the area at a corner.

The Pirates' first genuine attack of the match came just after the half-hour mark, when a speculative 25-yard Chris Lines effort was tipped round the post by Carl Ikeme.

With four minutes left in the first period, Jeff Hughes reduced the deficit with a penalty after Christian Dailly had seemingly tugged Jo Kuffour's shirt.

It was an undeserved goal for a side lacking in creativity, but it reinvigorated the clash and Charlton must have been rueing not stretching their lead.

After seven minutes on the backfoot in the second half, the visitors almost restored parity, yet youngster Elliot Omozusi snuffed out Dominic Blizzard with a last ditch effort. The visitors then began to press their hosts and on 56 minutes levelled proceedings when Lines rose highest to nod home a corner.

After almost falling behind themselves, the Floyd Road outfit regained the lead when Nicky Bailey scrambled a Mooney effort which had come off the bar over the line on 68 minutes.

For the second time in as many games, Akpo Sodje came off the bench and got himself a goal when he crashed home from inside the box with four minutes to play.

Although they had squandered a two-goal lead, the result was no less than the Addicks deserved and a fighting spirit which was evidently lacking last season has clearly been discovered.

Charlton: Ikeme, Youga (Omozusi, 23), Basey, Dailly, Llera, Sam, Semedo, Bailey, Shelvey (Wagstaff, 74), Mooney (Akpo Sodje, 82), Burton. Subs not used: Randolph, Racon, Spring, McLeod. Att: 15, 885.