Charlton started with Elliot in goal, Youga, Hudson, Ward and Murty across the back. Spring and Racon were paired in the middle with Soares and Bailey taking the flanks. This meant we were played much narrower than in recent weeks and most of the ammunition for Dickson and Kandol came through the middle.
The first half was short on chances but Charlton dominated possession and took the lead from the best quality piece of football we've seen for months. From a short corner, Matt Spring rolled the ball to Therry Racon in space 25 yards out. He took a touch, settled himself and then struck a superb shot which curled over the advancing Plymouth defence and beat the outstretched Larrieu to nestle in the top left-hand corner. I think it would be fair to say that Racon was pleased with himself. He was lucky not to get booked for the length of his celebrations. Plymouth did force Elliot into a smart save and they also hit the bar from a free-kick but we were good value for 1-0 at half-time.
Within ten minutes of the re-start we should have been three up. Dickson had two shots saved, Kandol one and Nicky Bailey saw a penalty saved as Larrieu kept Argyle in touch. A minute after the penalty save, Bailey found himself clear in the box as the ball dropped to him but he skied his finish. There was no mistake however after 68 minutes when Tresor Kandol flighted a probing ball over the Argyle back line. Nicky Bailey drifted in to meet the cross, brought it down, pushed it on before slipping it beyond Larrieu for the second.
There was plenty of time for more goals but they wouldn't come. Nonetheless, the Valley faithful were treated to some inspired forward play but Chris Dickson. On one burst he beat two Argyle players in the middle before flying down the right flank, skipping passed another, cutting into the box and firing a shot at Larrieu from an acute angle. He was thoughtfully substituted seven minutes from the end, so he could milk the applause of the standing ovation he was given. Deon Burton replaced him but by then the game was over.
The defence should be applauded for keeping a clean sheet although Plymouth could argue that they had enough opportunities to have scored at least one. I haven't seen Darren Ward before but he was solid enough and talked non-stop to his colleagues in defence. Therry Racon won the midfield battle which freed Nicky Bailey up to play a much more attacking role than normal. It's a pity we didn't get more from Tom Soares today because there were more goals available. Tresor Kandol left all the threat to Chris Dickson but he challenges in the air which Gray doesn't do and he supplied the killer pass for Bailey's goal.
Man of the match would have to be a toss-up between Racon, Dickson and Bailey. Racon edges it for me with his first half performance and goal which illuminated the game.
To cap it all, Charlton stalwart, Betty Hutchins has just won £17,500 on Dale Winton's quiz show whilst I've been typing this. Good on you Betty!
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