Charlton Handed Victory

On a warm, sunny afternoon, Charlton finally clinched their first win since beating Peterborough on 12 February. There was some other good news too. Johnnie Jackson confirmed to me that he will be fit in time for the Huddersfield game.

As expected, Paul Benson – impessive when coming on at Rochdale – replaced the injured Anyinsah in an otherwise unchanged team.

The Addicks made their usual bright start without seriously troubling Jamie Jones in the Orient goal. The visitor’s custodian was to have an eventful afternoon however.

As has happened so often in this wretched run, the bright start was followed by conceding a goal. A Dean Cox volley was headed home by ex Addick, Scott McGleish, from close range with the hosts appealing in vain for offside.

Buoyed by the goal, Orient went on to have the better of the exchanges in the opening period and Charlton left the pitch to some mild booing at the interval.

The Valley was a much brighter place shortly after the break though. A ball in from the right was well struck by Bradley Wright-Phillips. Jones couldn’t hold the striker’s effort and Paul Benson was on hand to tap in the simplest of finishes.

The game turned with less than 20 minutes remaining. Sometimes these winless runs are ended by a stroke of good fortune and that was to be the case at The Valley. First, Jimmy Smith’s celebration in front of the visiting fans was cut short when Simon Hooper ruled his ‘goal’ out for an innocuous looking push. Two minutes later, Jamie Jones in the Orient goal collected an over hit through ball from Racon. Jones opted to throw the ball out but got it horribly wrong and it went straight to Wright-Phillips.

Bradley was clear, just a few yards outside the area, and despatched the gift with ease. Orient had to chase the game and it naturally became stretched. In another bizarre incident, Orient were awarded an indirect free-kick just a couple of yards from goal when Elliot picked up a Dailly back pass but the plethora of defenders held firm.

The introduction of Michael Stewart for Dean Parrett was to prove decisive. Oozing class, Stewart orchestrated a right-wing corner with Therry Racon. Receiving Racon’s short ball, Stewart played it back to the Frenchman, received it again to flight an inch perfect cross on to Semedo’s head. Cue wild celebrations from the cult hero in front of the North Stand.

There was still time in the added on period for Orient to cause a few nervy moments for the hosts as they twice hit the bar. This was to be Charlton’s day though and they saw the game out.