Charlton Athletic 1 v Carlisle United 0

Charlton did what they needed to at the Valley today and collected three points from Carlisle. The scoreline flattered the visitors who could have had few complaints if they had been beaten 3-0 but our finishing was once again short of the mark, something that promises to be our eventual downfall. It was, of course, our second win in three days and marks a critical Easter holiday which has seen ourselves, Swindon, Millwall and Leeds pull clear of Huddersfield and Colchester who look increasingly like they are going to fight it our for the sixth place. 


The only disappointment of the day was the fact that the four sides above us all won, some of them against the odds - Millwall and Leeds doing particularly well to both win 2-1 away against Colchester and Yeovil respectively.


Phil Parkinson made two changes from the starting line-up at MK Dons with Lloyd Sam restored on the left for Wagstaff and Jonjo Shelvey back in a 4-5-1 formation. Carlisle looked largely unfamiliar apart from Jason Price, the afro-ed Millwall loanee, who partnered Scott Dobie up front. They have been resilient on their travels but limited in terms of their ambition and this is pretty much what we saw today. Adam Clayton stood out like a sore thumb as the best they had to offer and at 20 he's someone I would be very interesting in signing if I were a manager. Him apart, they lacked any real ambition and I can't remember Randolph having to make a save. It really was a case of "can we score" and we managed that just before the break as Sam Sodje arrived at Usain Bolt pace to meet a corner which he absolutely buried.


Christian Dailly had seen a back post header blocked on the line and Kyel Reid had loosed off a couple of wayward long-rangers before we took the lead, but we hadn't seriously exposed the Borderers up until that point. Jonjo Shelvey had a stinker and with Nicky Forster playing the line and waiting for through-balls which didn't come, we weren't exactly threatening. It's worrying that Shelvey looked so out-of-sorts after his first start in ten games. He was ponderous today and half-interested. Not what you would expect from an 18 year-old with ambitions of greatness in the game. Maybe the hype has got to him or he's awaiting an end-of-season transfer? However you look at it, he doesn't look critical to the side right now and we should bite someone's arm off if anyone is going to offer us anything like the money being talked about during the last close season.


Things improved in the second half as we upped the pace and urgency for a second. Fraser Richardson was particularly busy supporting Lloyd Sam and between them they delivered four or five excellent crosses which deserved better finishes. Bailey (on for Reid) fluffed one header and Jonjo missed two glorious chances before he himself was deservedly subbed for Akpo Sodje to bring a physical edge to the finale. Akpo managed to smash a loose ball home but it was chalked off for offside as Richardson had re-entered play from the goal-line. Carlisle had seen their only real effort of the game similarly disallowed for offside as Jason Price had deflected a cross goal effort in from just in front of Randolph. Before he was taken off, Price also got into a great position to finish but was deprived by a desperate make-or-break tackle from Sam Sodje. 


David Mooney got on for Jonjo before the end and played the pass of the game into the path of Akpo Sodje but he hit the keeper when he should have made it 2-0. All-in-all, it was a case of job done but the news from the other League One grounds means it was a case of "as you were" and we need to get something from St. Mary's on Saturday if we are to seriously threaten Millwall, Leeds and Swindon for second-place.


Carlisle brought about 229 fans today (to go with the 17,000 Addicks) and a curious bed-sheet banner which I think read "Found myself in a strange town." Big Jam fan that I am, it had me puzzling throughout the match but I am none the wiser - suggestions on a postcard please.


Before the match, I visited the White Swan in The Village. Under new management, I have heard encouraging things and am pleased to say that Vito and Alison are doing everything they can to turn it around. There was no problem getting served and the beer was good. The pub has been re-painted in a bright yellow and white and the garden has been cleared. If they can continue to make the improvements they have managed so far in three weeks it bodes well although it's a massive task from where it's fallen to in the last five years, particularly as tenants with limited funds.