Charlton Athletic 2 v Luton Town 2

A draw against non-league opposition in the cup? Progress, I suppose.


The 5000-odd Charlton fans who bothered to attend today were embarrassed at being chastised by our lowly visitors who were obviously unimpressed with our home support or by the class of our football which, ultimately, was to earn a replay which looks like mission improbable.


Credit to Luton. They came to play football and stuck to their game plan and on both occasions they found themselves behind they simply pressed on. They were actually a yard short of pace when it came to it but they more than made up for it with their running and movement. That Charlton took the lead twice disguised the fact that Luton were doing most of the attacking throughout and our players looked like they were simply trying to get the job done by expending the least effort necessary.


Joe Anyinsah's early opener was a simple goal that reflected poorly on non-League football. Kyel Reid did well to fashion a cross but his arrowed near-post ball was uncontested and Anyinsah didn't even have to jump to steer home his header.


Luton pressed throughout the first-half without looking really dangerous but they got their reward after half-an-hour with a soft looking penalty when the lively Morgan-Smith made the most of a tackle from behind from Miguel Llera. Drury took the penalty which Rob Elliot saved but he was able to follow-up and head home the rebound. Charlton restored their lead within five minutes when Johnnie Jackson headed home after a goalmouth scramble and the ball bobbed up for him ten yards out. 


Two-one at the break then and it looked like Luton were going to be outclassed. However, they stuck to the script and continued to pass and move around a Charlton side who simply weren't able to put their opponents under any sustained pressure. You can guess what happened next. Substitute Walker broke strongly for Luton and carried the ball from their half to ours before rolling it across to Drury 25 yards out. We had plenty of men back and ready but Drury was left to his own devices and he simply stepped up and chipped home into the Jimmy Seed Stand which sent the excited visitors into raptures.


We weren't able to up our game after that and have the unwanted re-match to play as a result. We have better players than them but it will take a major effort for us to win this tie and I am not sure we have the commitment to do it. I expect we will now slump out in favour of a concentrated effort in the league. Not a good day.