Charlton Athletic 2 v Ipswich Town 1

Alan Pardew's prayers were answered this afternoon at the Valley where Charlton just about deserved a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town. 

The Addicks started with Youga, Hudson, Primus and Cranie in front of Weaver. Bailey was set-up in the middle with Zheng Zhi and they were accompanied in midfield by Ambrose and Bouazza. Todorov got the nod over Gray to partner Varney and Charlton started like they meant business. We had already shown some determination and focus before scoring with our first real chance after only 5 minutes or so. Nicky Bailey stepped up to drive a 23 yard free-kick through the gap in the wall provided by Mark Hudson and beyond the despairing dive by Richard Wright. It was just the start we needed and we looked like we were going to boss the game up until the 10th minute when Bailey was caught in a tackle and had to limp off. Matt Holland ran on to as much applause from the decent Town turn-out as he got from the home fans. Holland played well but we looked like Bailey's loss disrupted our initial momentum. Ipswich certainly came back into the game and they looked very good in spells going forward. Jonathan Walters was giving Kelly Youga a hard time and all that was missing for Ipswich was the final ball. Ivan Campo lead the breakout from the back and Jon Stead looked dangerous.

They got their break in the 33rd minute when a back-heel from Counago was swept across the box towards Jon Stead who was unmarked at the back post. Martin Cranie got an out-stretched toe to it but could only divert it onto the post and behind for the equaliser. Ipswich sensed blood and we were fortunate to keep it level going into the break. Ivan Campo clipped the crossbar with a full-blooded free-kick that Nicky Weaver wouldn't have been able to stop if it had been a foot lower.

So, one apiece at half-time and I was worried that we would surrender in the second half. Martin Cranie didn't come out for restart and I was pleased to see Jose Semedo join the fray. Both sides were looking to get the second and the game was moving back and forth. Mark Hudson and Linvoy Primus were both playing blinders to contain Counago and Luke Varney was full of running and stretching the Town defence. He managed to stay onside for one ball over the top which he ran onto and his near-post shot was well saved by a sprawling Richard Wright. Todorov was linking play better than he managed in his substitue appearance at Palace and Bouazza and Ambrose were running the channels even if they didn't create much. It was an Ambrose run and cross that lead to Charlton's second. Ambrose's whipped cross was just missed by the on-rushing Bouazza but it bounced up off the chasing Moritz Volt and looped over Richard Wright. 

The relief was palpable and the players looked determined not to let Ipswich back into it. Luke Varney was brought down on the edge of the box for a free-kick but it might have been a penalty on another day. Ipswich weren't done attacking but a curious couple of substitutions in quick succession left Charlton with the firm advantage. First Campo was taken off and then Jon Stead. Kevin Lisbie was given a surprisingly warm reception from the Valley faithful who might have felt obliged after the generous applause that the Ipswich Town fans had given to Ambrose and Holland. Ipswich manged to hit the bar before the end but it was a cross that caught everyone out rather than an intentional strike. Andy Gray came on for a tiring Todorov and was unfortunate to get a booking before the final whistle. 

Instead of the dreaded booing, the players were applauded from the field and the ship has been steadied for now. The win moves us to the middle of the table and that's probably a fair reflection from the opening 10 games and what most fans were predicting prior to the start of the season. 

Mark Hudson was my man-of-the-match, closely followed by Linvoy Primus. Jose Semedo did enough to warrant close consideration for a start next time out and he added something extra down the right-hand side in the second half. Unfortunately, Kelly Youga again had an inconsistent match and was fortunate on two occasions in the first half not to have been responsible for Ipswich goals. 

Matt Holland was trying especially hard against his former club, as was Darren Ambrose, whose overall contribution was still lacking. Zheng Zhi was caught in possession again one time too many but he is a more attacking option than we have elsewhere and will improve in the next games. Luke Varney ran his socks off again and Todorov looked a bit sharper.

The attendance again broke the 20,000 barrier, although it was obvious that a lot of season ticket holders had made plans to do something else today. Just as well then that Ipswich brought close to 2500 fans down. Like their East Anglian cousins, they really are decent fans and I regard them as the closest thing to the Valley faithful.