Goal bonanza for record crowd
Charlton beat Norwich 4-0 at The Valley on Saturday in front of a record crowd since the return to the ground of 27,057. The victory was achieved against an admittedly poor Norwich side, but was pleasing nonetheless. JJ put the Addicks 2-0 ahead before the break. His first goal came after the visiting support had just started a chant of 'You're supposed to be at home.' The Canaries provided some presure after the break, but they lacked penetration while their defence was always suspect. So it proved when substitute Paul Konchesky made it 3-0 to his delight and that of the fans just after he came on. Jason Euell then made it 4-0 and it could easily have been five.
I walked to the ground with unfrocked match analyst Brian Cole who was still adjusting to the unusual experience of walking to the ground among crowds of Addickted. The comment he made about Palace was recalled when two ladies returning from a shopping trip in a Ford Focus where surrounded by a crowd of turnip lifters and advised where they could stick their Focus. It's also interesting to note that the announcer at Cardiff when the Irons visited asked if the owner of a horse could return to the car park and attach it to the rag and bone cart there.
When I bought my match programme, Brian queried why I was bothering. Certainly, many of the fans in a well known hostelry I frequent have stopped buying it. Before opening it, I predicted that Curbs would be forecasting a 'tough game' and so it turned out to be. The ghost writer had also managed to include the cliché about it being a long season. Peter Varney's contributions increasingly read as they were written from the headmaster's study of some old fashioned grammar school. Abuse of players is totally unacceptable, but one can understood fans being negative about a home defeat by Crystal Palace reserves. Much of the rest of the publication is full of hype and boosterism of the 'Community programme arrives in Isle of Sheppey' or 'New coach service from Dungeness' type. One interesting article was about Matt Svensson who anticipated a friendly reception from the Addickted. He did receive it, but also showed that he is a committed and energetic player who lacks that extra something needed at Premiership level.
Norwich won a corner after fourteen seconds sending the Bloke Behind Me into whingeing overdrive where he remained for the rest of the match finally forecasting a mauling by Chelski. Norwich won a series of throw ins down the East Stand side which I suppose is how you make progress in the lower division. However, after five minutes there was encouragment for the Addickted when Jerome Thomas made space for himself on the left and sent in a sizzling cross which England's No.3 had to tip away. Green went down shortly afterwards and it may have been then that he received the injury that led to his substitution in the second half.
Jonson was one of the more impressive Norwich players and he advanced on the right to feed McKenzie. He provided a good ball for Holt, but the effort of the Scottish ace lacked power and Deano was able to make the save.
On 15 minutes El Karkouri sent a long and accurate free kick into the danger zone and the Herminator was well placed to flick it on for JJ who headed it into the top corner of the net. On 21 minutes Jerome Thomas once again created some space for himself and put a good ball into Murphy. Green saved his powerful header, but the loose ball was picked up by JJ who put an excellent ball into the net.
There was a moment of danger when Svensson turned provider for McKenzie in front of goal, but the towering presence of the Herminator was nearby and he put the ball wide. Luke Young managed to concede a completely unnecessary corner. The Norwich defence managed to give the ball away in front of goal and it was the inappropriately named Charlton who managed to block Murphy's effort. JJ tried one of his trademark bicycle kicks, but it was the wrong cathedral city, Norwich not Exeter. Nevertheless, it was good to see shots being attempted: sometimes they do go in.
Half time: Addicks 2, Canaries 0
Norwich brought on Bentley in place of Jonson after the break, hoping that the young Arsenal loan player could turn their game around. Norwich won a free kick on the edge of the area, but it came off the wall. Norwich won another free kick after minimal contact, but their effort went over the bar. When the Addicks forged forward, they fell foul of the offside trap. Huckerby broke free on the left and McKenzie put the ball in the net but the alert line on the West Stand side had already raised his flag for offside.
Kishishev put in a good ball to Murphy but his effort lacked power. Lisbie powered through but should have passed the ball so the chance was wasted. Norwich had to pull off Green and bring on Darren Ward. When he was at Notts County, he was thought of as a keeper with a Premiership future who might also play at Wales. His career suffered when County were relegated and Steve from Sidcup thought that he might have played for Bristol City.
Kishishev put in an effort that was just wide. Norwich replaced Holt by Mulryne. Lisbie was brought down by former Palace player Edworthy who received a yellow card. The free kick caused some trouble for Norwich with Murphy driving the ball into a box and I thought it might go in from the scramble in front of goal. Norwich won a corner and Deano failed to hold on it, but Kishishev was on hand to clear it off the line. Murphy placed Charlton under pressure by failing to get rid of the ball. A Norwich corner was taken short. A hand ball by the Canaries was ignored by the referee who awarded them a free kick.
On 74 minutes Lisbie was pulled off in favour of Konchesky. Thomas and Kishishev combined well and Boris fed Young. His excellent cross was met by Konchesky who made it 3-0. Murphy was pulled off in favour of Euell. He quickly tried a shot from just outside the 'D' which was only just past the post.
Huckerby put an effort into Deano's net which was only just offside, but the West Stand lino made the right call to the indignation of the visiting support. Damien Francis received a yellow card for a foul on Thomas. Thomas had had to receive treatment shortly before this and was replaced by Jeffers. With three minutes to go, Euell made it 4-0 taking advantage of a cross from JJ. As I remarked to the Bloke Beside Me, we were now safe for a point. Indeed, it could have been 5-0 if Konchesky had not headed JJ's cross over the bar. There was still time for Bentley to receive a yellow card. The win had got Charlton back into the top half of the table and helped to improve their goal difference.
We were invited to applaud the Norwich fans at the end of the game and did so. 'We hope to see you back next year' was the message from Dave Lockwood. 'Yes, in the cup', commented Steve from Sidcup. As Inspector Sands has commented, it was curiously like a cup game against lower league opposition.
Match analysis
Match analyst Hooch the Pooch awarded the Silver Bone to JJ. His second goal was particularly good and it seems that he is coming back into form again just as the club strengthens its links with his home country. Deano had the satisfaction of keeping another clean sheet, boosting his charity fund raising. Perry was solid and reliable at the heart of defence, making decisive clearances seem so easy.Hreidarsson did his job well, proving a formidable obstacle at times to the Norwich attack. El Karkouri made a couple of curious errors, but was otherwise effective enough with his free kick setting up the first goal. Young made a couple of good sweeps forward in the second half, providing the assist for Konchesky's goal and otherwise did his job competently. Perhaps the opposition flattered him, but Kishishev had a good game free of errors in which he made some important contributions. Holland was roundly booed by the Canaries at the beginning of the game because of his Tractor connections. It would have been great to see him score, but he had a relatively quiet game. Murphy is really getting into his stride, slotting comfortably into a central midfield position. He made intelligent use of the ball, laying it off when that was the best thing to do, but also surging forward when the opportunity presented itself. Thomas continues to be a revelation with his skill outwitting an admittedly lumbering Norwich defence. Lisbie was described afterwards as a team player who was not greedy, but his desire to score seems to stop him passing the ball to a better placed colleague when he should. Konchesky displayed total commitment when he came on and I would like to see more of him. Jeffers showed some nice touches in his short appearance.
Hiss of the Match There were a number of candidates for this accolade including charm merchants Huckerby and Edworthy but it was eventually decided that novice referee A Marriner need to get used to being confronted after the match by a cross cat. He made a good job of refereeing our cup match at Grimsby and he was good in the first half against Norwich. But for some reason in the second half he decided he wanted to even the game up by giving every marginal decision to the vistors.
Crowd rating 'You're the worst support we have ever seen' chanted the dedicated Canaries. The difficulty is that the Addickted are so nervous about their team's performance that it is difficult for them to get going. Once we were 3-0 ahead they were able to relax, but a bit more enthusiasm earlier on would have been welcome. 6/10.
I walked to the ground with unfrocked match analyst Brian Cole who was still adjusting to the unusual experience of walking to the ground among crowds of Addickted. The comment he made about Palace was recalled when two ladies returning from a shopping trip in a Ford Focus where surrounded by a crowd of turnip lifters and advised where they could stick their Focus. It's also interesting to note that the announcer at Cardiff when the Irons visited asked if the owner of a horse could return to the car park and attach it to the rag and bone cart there.
When I bought my match programme, Brian queried why I was bothering. Certainly, many of the fans in a well known hostelry I frequent have stopped buying it. Before opening it, I predicted that Curbs would be forecasting a 'tough game' and so it turned out to be. The ghost writer had also managed to include the cliché about it being a long season. Peter Varney's contributions increasingly read as they were written from the headmaster's study of some old fashioned grammar school. Abuse of players is totally unacceptable, but one can understood fans being negative about a home defeat by Crystal Palace reserves. Much of the rest of the publication is full of hype and boosterism of the 'Community programme arrives in Isle of Sheppey' or 'New coach service from Dungeness' type. One interesting article was about Matt Svensson who anticipated a friendly reception from the Addickted. He did receive it, but also showed that he is a committed and energetic player who lacks that extra something needed at Premiership level.
Norwich won a corner after fourteen seconds sending the Bloke Behind Me into whingeing overdrive where he remained for the rest of the match finally forecasting a mauling by Chelski. Norwich won a series of throw ins down the East Stand side which I suppose is how you make progress in the lower division. However, after five minutes there was encouragment for the Addickted when Jerome Thomas made space for himself on the left and sent in a sizzling cross which England's No.3 had to tip away. Green went down shortly afterwards and it may have been then that he received the injury that led to his substitution in the second half.
Jonson was one of the more impressive Norwich players and he advanced on the right to feed McKenzie. He provided a good ball for Holt, but the effort of the Scottish ace lacked power and Deano was able to make the save.
On 15 minutes El Karkouri sent a long and accurate free kick into the danger zone and the Herminator was well placed to flick it on for JJ who headed it into the top corner of the net. On 21 minutes Jerome Thomas once again created some space for himself and put a good ball into Murphy. Green saved his powerful header, but the loose ball was picked up by JJ who put an excellent ball into the net.
There was a moment of danger when Svensson turned provider for McKenzie in front of goal, but the towering presence of the Herminator was nearby and he put the ball wide. Luke Young managed to concede a completely unnecessary corner. The Norwich defence managed to give the ball away in front of goal and it was the inappropriately named Charlton who managed to block Murphy's effort. JJ tried one of his trademark bicycle kicks, but it was the wrong cathedral city, Norwich not Exeter. Nevertheless, it was good to see shots being attempted: sometimes they do go in.
Half time: Addicks 2, Canaries 0
Norwich brought on Bentley in place of Jonson after the break, hoping that the young Arsenal loan player could turn their game around. Norwich won a free kick on the edge of the area, but it came off the wall. Norwich won another free kick after minimal contact, but their effort went over the bar. When the Addicks forged forward, they fell foul of the offside trap. Huckerby broke free on the left and McKenzie put the ball in the net but the alert line on the West Stand side had already raised his flag for offside.
Kishishev put in a good ball to Murphy but his effort lacked power. Lisbie powered through but should have passed the ball so the chance was wasted. Norwich had to pull off Green and bring on Darren Ward. When he was at Notts County, he was thought of as a keeper with a Premiership future who might also play at Wales. His career suffered when County were relegated and Steve from Sidcup thought that he might have played for Bristol City.
Kishishev put in an effort that was just wide. Norwich replaced Holt by Mulryne. Lisbie was brought down by former Palace player Edworthy who received a yellow card. The free kick caused some trouble for Norwich with Murphy driving the ball into a box and I thought it might go in from the scramble in front of goal. Norwich won a corner and Deano failed to hold on it, but Kishishev was on hand to clear it off the line. Murphy placed Charlton under pressure by failing to get rid of the ball. A Norwich corner was taken short. A hand ball by the Canaries was ignored by the referee who awarded them a free kick.
On 74 minutes Lisbie was pulled off in favour of Konchesky. Thomas and Kishishev combined well and Boris fed Young. His excellent cross was met by Konchesky who made it 3-0. Murphy was pulled off in favour of Euell. He quickly tried a shot from just outside the 'D' which was only just past the post.
Huckerby put an effort into Deano's net which was only just offside, but the West Stand lino made the right call to the indignation of the visiting support. Damien Francis received a yellow card for a foul on Thomas. Thomas had had to receive treatment shortly before this and was replaced by Jeffers. With three minutes to go, Euell made it 4-0 taking advantage of a cross from JJ. As I remarked to the Bloke Beside Me, we were now safe for a point. Indeed, it could have been 5-0 if Konchesky had not headed JJ's cross over the bar. There was still time for Bentley to receive a yellow card. The win had got Charlton back into the top half of the table and helped to improve their goal difference.
We were invited to applaud the Norwich fans at the end of the game and did so. 'We hope to see you back next year' was the message from Dave Lockwood. 'Yes, in the cup', commented Steve from Sidcup. As Inspector Sands has commented, it was curiously like a cup game against lower league opposition.
Match analysis
Match analyst Hooch the Pooch awarded the Silver Bone to JJ. His second goal was particularly good and it seems that he is coming back into form again just as the club strengthens its links with his home country. Deano had the satisfaction of keeping another clean sheet, boosting his charity fund raising. Perry was solid and reliable at the heart of defence, making decisive clearances seem so easy.Hreidarsson did his job well, proving a formidable obstacle at times to the Norwich attack. El Karkouri made a couple of curious errors, but was otherwise effective enough with his free kick setting up the first goal. Young made a couple of good sweeps forward in the second half, providing the assist for Konchesky's goal and otherwise did his job competently. Perhaps the opposition flattered him, but Kishishev had a good game free of errors in which he made some important contributions. Holland was roundly booed by the Canaries at the beginning of the game because of his Tractor connections. It would have been great to see him score, but he had a relatively quiet game. Murphy is really getting into his stride, slotting comfortably into a central midfield position. He made intelligent use of the ball, laying it off when that was the best thing to do, but also surging forward when the opportunity presented itself. Thomas continues to be a revelation with his skill outwitting an admittedly lumbering Norwich defence. Lisbie was described afterwards as a team player who was not greedy, but his desire to score seems to stop him passing the ball to a better placed colleague when he should. Konchesky displayed total commitment when he came on and I would like to see more of him. Jeffers showed some nice touches in his short appearance.
Hiss of the Match There were a number of candidates for this accolade including charm merchants Huckerby and Edworthy but it was eventually decided that novice referee A Marriner need to get used to being confronted after the match by a cross cat. He made a good job of refereeing our cup match at Grimsby and he was good in the first half against Norwich. But for some reason in the second half he decided he wanted to even the game up by giving every marginal decision to the vistors.
Crowd rating 'You're the worst support we have ever seen' chanted the dedicated Canaries. The difficulty is that the Addickted are so nervous about their team's performance that it is difficult for them to get going. Once we were 3-0 ahead they were able to relax, but a bit more enthusiasm earlier on would have been welcome. 6/10.
posted by Wyn Grant at 9:02 PM
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