Every Addick was hoping to see a clean fought contest at Wimbledon. But instead we were subjected to yellow cards and unnecessary stoppages that replaced the entertainment value every Addick was hoping to see. Ticket allocation was low and the trip to Kingsmeadow was out of reach for many. It was decided to open up crossbar for a beam back so that another 500 were able to see the Addicks in action.
The atmosphere was great, the beer was flowing and it was a pity the football wasn`t. If pride of place has any place within the Charlton squad it must fall on the shoulders of Ricky Holmes. For the second time in two games he gave the Addicks an early lead that looked by all accounts the perfect start to this local derby. Less than ten minutes into this game and the Wombles were undone. A free-kick was awarded outside the 18 yard box for a cynical foul. Up steps Ricky Holmes and he placed a perfect lofted ball into the far corner of the host net.
Teams such as Wimbledon we should beat without coming out of second gear. But just as last weekend we were undone for own inability to finish off a poor side who of late have been on an indifferent run. Wimbledon, who are just below us with three points separating us from them, would have been out of sight if Lee Novak didn`t squander a perfect chance with only the keeper to beat. The writing was on the wall. Chances like that do not come that easy. Miss the chance and there is a good chance it might come back and haunt you.
Replacing Novak with Magennis did little to infuse renewed hope that the Addick could come away with all three points. Our fears were only compounded in the dying minutes of this game. Stoppage time is starting to become a curse. And so as of last week we again were pegged back to 1-1. The goal scorer Tom Elliott`s celebration earned him a red card which I think was very harsh considering it was in the final stages of the game. Although, Teixeira received one against Millwall after the game for kicking the ball at Morison. Not the same thing, but equally unnecessary. Celebrations are common practice, frustration stems from all manner of gamesmanship.
At Kingsmeadow we have only ourselves to blame. In the final stages of the game we were starting to sit far too deep. In this sort of play we were inviting the host to take the game to us. We consequently gifted Wimbledon with an equaliser that was never forthcoming. The challenge for the top six has all but disappeared. The gap as it stands is still six points with only 18 games to play. What makes this poignant? Well, none of us need to be reminded that Millwall are pulling away from us sitting in the play-off sixth place.
It is all very well having a good run with 6 matches unbeaten, but when three out of the six are draws, and to date 14 of them have some debateable questions hanging over them, we will be starting to ask ourselves if we are ready to push for the championship this term or are our ambitions set too high?
Yesterday we were far too lightweight. We missed key players like of Byrne. Lewis Page also suspended, serving the second game of his two-match ban following his dismissal at Bolton, but Adam Chicksen was fine to resume his duties as left-back. Jake Forster-Caskey, who was withdrawn against Fleetwood, could be on the bench. But having seen the team sheet this was not the case. Magennis was a welcome addition to the ranks of the Addicks. The Wombles might have felt a little aggrieved with the return of our talisman because as I recall Wimbledon received a four goal pasting from Sheffield Utd. Well that is football – it should make them a little jittery!
Share this article
