Reserves outplayed
Charlton's reserve team was comprehensively outplayed at The Valley last night in the first national reserve play off final against Manchester United. Playing thier first game under American ownership, the northern reserve league champions defeated the Addicks 4-2. Although the scoreline was not as humiliating as that suffered by the first team at home, there was no denying the gap in quality. United were quicker to the ball, dispossessed Charlton all too easily, were more dangerous in attack and stronger in defence.
Charlton's cause was not helped by hapless fifth choice goalkeeper, Darren Randolph.
Given that Simon Royce was eligible for the game and sitting on the bench, one wonders how seriously the game was being taken and how much interest there was in pleasing the crowd of 7,102. The hospitality package wasn't very good value either.
Jerome Thomas was among the starting line up but his body langauge indicated that he would rather be somewhere else. Randolph did make a good save on the ground. Reserve captain Barry Fuller hacked down David Bellion and the United danger man had to be stretchered off, Fuller receiving a yellow card from referee Steve Bennett.
Charlton were vulnerable to attacks down the wings and Feesh, who looked as if he had put on some weight, was not much help, playing a ball to the feet of a United player and then having to rescue the Addicks from the danger he had created. Then a Bartlett error allowed United to launch an attack. American born Italian Under 19 international Guieseppe Rossi curved a sweeet ball just inside the post leaving Randolph with no chance.
Although Charlton won a number of corners, they were unable to take advantage of them. Jerome Thomas received a yellow card for a foul. He did, however, draw a save from Heaton in the United goal. Bartlett had a half chance and put it wide.
Half time: Addicks 0, Red Devils 1
Charlton could be relieved that they had kept the score down to 0-1 in the first half. Bartlett was taken off and replaced by Alastair John who soon showed his pace to advantage. However, United won a free kick on the edge of the box and Randolph was well beaten by the effort by Jones to make it 0-2.
Weaving his way among the United defence, Lloyd Sam was brought down in the box and Bennett pointed to the spot. Adam Gross stepped up but his effort was saved by Heaton. However, referee Bennett decided that it should be taken again and this time Sam made no mistake bringing Charlton back into the game at 1-2.
This respite did not last for long with Rossi making it 1-3 for the visitors. Gross received a yellow card for kicking the ball away over a disputed throw in. Randolph had to make a good save at the expense of a corner. The lacklustre Thomas was replaced by the pace of Myles Weston.
Randolph managed to save with his legs, but not well enough and Rossi was able to secure his hattrick and make it 1-4. He may come from New Jersey, but the cheers were coming from Tampa Bay. Two Charlton corners in succession created an opportunity to make it 2-4 for Walker. Sam was just wide with a late attempt.
The Silver Biscuit was awarded to Lloyd Sam who with his pace and trickery on the ball looked like the only player good enough to make it into the first team.
Charlton's cause was not helped by hapless fifth choice goalkeeper, Darren Randolph.
Given that Simon Royce was eligible for the game and sitting on the bench, one wonders how seriously the game was being taken and how much interest there was in pleasing the crowd of 7,102. The hospitality package wasn't very good value either.
Jerome Thomas was among the starting line up but his body langauge indicated that he would rather be somewhere else. Randolph did make a good save on the ground. Reserve captain Barry Fuller hacked down David Bellion and the United danger man had to be stretchered off, Fuller receiving a yellow card from referee Steve Bennett.
Charlton were vulnerable to attacks down the wings and Feesh, who looked as if he had put on some weight, was not much help, playing a ball to the feet of a United player and then having to rescue the Addicks from the danger he had created. Then a Bartlett error allowed United to launch an attack. American born Italian Under 19 international Guieseppe Rossi curved a sweeet ball just inside the post leaving Randolph with no chance.
Although Charlton won a number of corners, they were unable to take advantage of them. Jerome Thomas received a yellow card for a foul. He did, however, draw a save from Heaton in the United goal. Bartlett had a half chance and put it wide.
Half time: Addicks 0, Red Devils 1
Charlton could be relieved that they had kept the score down to 0-1 in the first half. Bartlett was taken off and replaced by Alastair John who soon showed his pace to advantage. However, United won a free kick on the edge of the box and Randolph was well beaten by the effort by Jones to make it 0-2.
Weaving his way among the United defence, Lloyd Sam was brought down in the box and Bennett pointed to the spot. Adam Gross stepped up but his effort was saved by Heaton. However, referee Bennett decided that it should be taken again and this time Sam made no mistake bringing Charlton back into the game at 1-2.
This respite did not last for long with Rossi making it 1-3 for the visitors. Gross received a yellow card for kicking the ball away over a disputed throw in. Randolph had to make a good save at the expense of a corner. The lacklustre Thomas was replaced by the pace of Myles Weston.
Randolph managed to save with his legs, but not well enough and Rossi was able to secure his hattrick and make it 1-4. He may come from New Jersey, but the cheers were coming from Tampa Bay. Two Charlton corners in succession created an opportunity to make it 2-4 for Walker. Sam was just wide with a late attempt.
The Silver Biscuit was awarded to Lloyd Sam who with his pace and trickery on the ball looked like the only player good enough to make it into the first team.
posted by Wyn Grant at 7:57 AM
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