Some things are worth waiting for. A shaky start was followed by some neat play in midfield that brought about this win against the Dons who had the better of us in recent times. Confidence going into this game was not at its best. The Addicks have been guilty of throwing away a lead in the last three games with some appalling defensive display when a win should have been the only outcome.
The Dons are having their own problems at home. Not having won in their last five home games, Robinson`s men were seeking revenge for being knocked out of the cup game with the Dons earlier in this campaign.
To Valley Pass listeners and I was one of them, it sounded by all accounts that the Addicks in the first fifteen minutes of the game were being pressurised and were fortunate not going a goal down. Home advantage should have had the Don`s playing us of the park, but just like us in recent games they lacked the clinical finish which was good for us.
None of the away supporters minded the Don`s inability to break us down because it felt the longer the Addicks could hold on, the stronger Robinson`s men would become. As in a well written script the Addicks went ahead on eight minutes from a long range shot from Kashi that the beat Don`s keeper, who may have seen it too late. Having weathered the storm for the opening minutes I must admit the goal came from the run of play. But right now, we take it no matter how the goal is contrived.
It felt good. The only problem was, we conceded within two minutes when once again our defence could not deal with a simple ball into the box. ‘Not again!` was the thought on the minds of all who were there and those who listened to the game on Valley Pass. All the good work by Kashi and the team in general was undone at the blink of an eye.
The Dons sensed that this was a game for the taking and opened up their attacking side of the game and took it to the Addicks. Robinson`s men rode their luck and withstood everything the Don`s threw at them. Although at times it looked as if this game could finish up a draw, we needed not have worried. Big Josh Magennis who has now scored three goals after a lean spell came up with the winner. Under fire from the fans for not being clinical in recent games before his revival he showed again that he is quite capable of scoring vital goals if he is in the right place. Forster Caskey`s deliverance from a dead ball was met by the big man and he made no mistake in his finish. The goal came on sixty minutes. A nervy thirty minutes was on the cards and with good reasons. The Addicks have succumbed to last minute losses and draws in their last three outings. This game had the hallmark of being another that might finish all square if the Addicks did not defend stoutly.
I`m pleased in the way we stuck to the task to find that bit extra and to prevent the same scenario that was becoming typical of the Addicks in recent games. We have now taken the last place in the play-offs. Be it that Bradford did not have a game has given us the edge. We are now on the right track. Although there are a few teams breathing down our necks, Portsmouth being one of them who themselves have been coming on strong. The one advantage that might put some day-light between us and some of the close contenders is that we still have one or two games in hand. We all know they need to be won to become an advantage on the rest of the league.
In the meantime let us savour that our team has shown they have what it takes to make the difference. The game against the Dons was a good test. We still many more hurdles to clear before our task is complete. Shrewsbury at home is one of those tests. Overcome this with a convincing display of football and who knows where this could lead. The Shrews are top of the stack. Nerves are going to play a big part in this game. They can be beaten. No one in this league is invincible.
Wigan were riding high but even they have stuttered of late. The Addicks need to compose themselves and play their game. Pass the ball quicker with accuracy that we all know they are capable of. Let`s hope it is a great game and a memorial one.
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