This afternoon brought together two clubs next to each other at the top-end of the table and looking to earn one of the coveted promotion spots. Miles Leaburn came back into the starting eleven, perhaps on the back of his finding a bit of form and because of his size and the physical threat he poses. Stockport are in good form, as are the visiting Addicks, so this was expected to be a challenge for each side.
Stockport started well and it was clear from the off that this would be a physical affair. The referee, as though he was just back from refereeing WWE’s latest pay-preview, let the physicality flow, ignoring tussles all over the pitch that would usually be penalised. There were headlocks, elbows, kicks, and takedowns at each end, so at least it was called fairly at most times, even if some of the ‘challenges’ that were let go were ridiculous. The Addicks found any kind of attacking patterns difficult to pull off and much of the play, in sustained high winds, was of the direct variety. But, nevertheless, Charlton had much better of the chances in the box in the first half and were unlucky not to find the back of the net. Perhaps the best fell to Luke Berry who blindly threw himself at the ball looping in at the back post and managed against hope to direct it towards goal, but not into it. Perhaps some may see he should have done better, and he hasn’t had much rub of the green in front of goal recently, but the goal mouth was full of action and he was operating behind another diving player and that players’ marker (I think it was Miles) that surely obscured any view of the ball until it was directly on him. I thought he did well enough to get anything on the ball but, perhaps on another day, a bit of luck might have helped.
Stockport came out into the second half more dominant. They had chances, including off the crossbar, but the Addicks remained composed and difficult to breakdown. Early changes were made to Nathan Jones’ side, bringing on Karoy Anderson and Chuks Aneke to up the physicality and, perhaps, to be more effective at set pieces at both ends. The wrestling continued, there was blood, but as tense as things were, there really wasn’t a lot to praise for either side.
Stockport are very good at home, play tough, and look to turn the screw when they can. Charlton, however, were resolute and equal to the challenge. The question was whether we could nick it, perhaps from a moment of genius or a well worked set piece. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be. But it was a well-earned point from a hard fought battle. The second half was tense but neither side were able to land a decisive blow (though many of the Stockport wrestlers tried!).
One more point and we’ve extended our good run of form through another tricky fixture.
Stockport 0 Charlton 0
Over to you.
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Comments
Let’s start with the ref. An absolute disgrace. Easily missed 7/8 ‘blatant’ fouls on our players. It was actually becoming laughable towards the end. For me, the worst we’ve had this season.
Our defence - superb. Held strong. Lloyd Jones is just so so good.
Campbell - Very rarely do I come away feeling sorry for a player. The guy was just continually fouled. I’d love to see a highlights package of some of the tackles put on him today.
Leaburn was very poor, but also dealing with the same. Fouled so many times.
We didn’t play our best, however, I don’t think we were allowed to play, in what was a match that vaguely resembled a game of football.
Job done - on to Crawley.
But that's what good teams do, they don't give up and fight till the end.
I shall be going to Crawley on Tuesday and looking forward to beating them and going on to win 4 on the spin and get that Monkey off our back.
Considering what a tough week we have had, and how good Stockport are at home I think it cannot be underestimated how good the point was.
We certainly were not at our best, but we weren’t ‘poor’ either. We had to battle every minute for every inch of that pitch today and the players did that incredibly.
Have to capitalise on this week now by beating Crawley on Tuesday.
A point gained in all honesty but it wasn't a great game of football and we went back to looking pretty toothless for large stretches
we really lacked a cutting edge, and resorted to just lumping it to Leaburn, who I don’t think won more than 3 headers all game!
felt we really missed the ‘dark arts’ that Godden brings and the experience/nouse he adds. Berry a passenger for most of the game too
good point won, but HAVE to beat Crawley in midweek
Credit to Stockport because they make the pitch small and the ref payed into their physical game. We could learn from the way they win the second balls as well.
Have to follow this up with 3 points at Crawley
Camobell and Small not in the game and we struggled to retain possession.
Lloyd Jones was excellent and MOM today, Gillesphey was good as well and could’ve nicked it at the end.
They were a tough tough side to play against particularly with that wind second half. Just shows how good our defence is to keep them at bay!
Stockport edged the game and are a tough team to beat.
I thought our defence was fantastic today.
It might not be the last time we play Stockport this season .
I fully expect Godden to be back on Tuesday and maybe Gilbert to replace Berry .