Oh Me of little faith! A stonking away victory for the unbeaten Addicks at promotion rivals. The 1000+ travelling fans will be joined by many more at future away games as the march gathers pace. All this on a day when Leyton Orient battled back to de-rail Preston's recent charge.
Chris Powell fielded an unchanged side yet again and retained Hayes and Wagstaff when plenty were calling for Kermorgant and Green. It was a so-so first half by the sounds of it with United having most of the possession and yet both sides missed sitters. Morrison failed to test the keeper from three yards out when teed-up by knock-down from Hayes and the Blades should have been one-up but one of theirs mis-kicked with the goal gaping.
The game continued to stutter after the break and the CAFC Player Commentators were calling for Wagstaff to come off after a second successive poor showing and having got himself booked through frustration. Instead, Yann Kermorgant entered the fray again for Paul Hayes and within a minute he changed the game with another scoring header. The goal sparked a mini Charlton surge and Bradders might have scored a minute later. The fact that he didn't was of little consequence because a further minute on he did just that to put the Addicks in the box seat.
There was time for Ben Hamer to pull off a super save to avoid the Charlton Wobbles and we even had a couple of half-chances towards the finish where we might have rubbed salt into the wounds. United hit the post at the death but we weren't going to be denied.
With the four matches involving eight of the top nine sides all ending in decisive victories, the League One table will make comfortable reading in tomorrow's papers as the Addicks now have a 5 (five) point cushion and the best goal difference in the division. As our fans were bellowing at the end, "WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAID WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!"
Chris Powell fielded an unchanged side yet again and retained Hayes and Wagstaff when plenty were calling for Kermorgant and Green. It was a so-so first half by the sounds of it with United having most of the possession and yet both sides missed sitters. Morrison failed to test the keeper from three yards out when teed-up by knock-down from Hayes and the Blades should have been one-up but one of theirs mis-kicked with the goal gaping.
The game continued to stutter after the break and the CAFC Player Commentators were calling for Wagstaff to come off after a second successive poor showing and having got himself booked through frustration. Instead, Yann Kermorgant entered the fray again for Paul Hayes and within a minute he changed the game with another scoring header. The goal sparked a mini Charlton surge and Bradders might have scored a minute later. The fact that he didn't was of little consequence because a further minute on he did just that to put the Addicks in the box seat.
There was time for Ben Hamer to pull off a super save to avoid the Charlton Wobbles and we even had a couple of half-chances towards the finish where we might have rubbed salt into the wounds. United hit the post at the death but we weren't going to be denied.
With the four matches involving eight of the top nine sides all ending in decisive victories, the League One table will make comfortable reading in tomorrow's papers as the Addicks now have a 5 (five) point cushion and the best goal difference in the division. As our fans were bellowing at the end, "WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAID WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!"
Cracking result indeed! I also have a favour to ask... I have been following your blog for ages, and following Charlton for even longer! I now live in France, and teach at The International School of Monaco. We have just set up a new school blog, and part of it as a football blog - although not strictly for Charlton, it does have a rather large CAFC bias!
ReplyDeletehttp://football.ismonacoblog.org/2011/10/01/charlton-beat-blades-at-brammall-lane/
The blog gives our kids a real purpose for their writing, and was wondering whether you could stick a link on your site to our blog. The kids would really appreciate the recognition for their writing and I would be extremely honoured!
Great game and ultimately a great performance after a stuttering first half under pressure.
ReplyDeleteI am one of those who have called for Wagstaffe's head on more than one occasion; for not looking up and rarely being able to beat a full back and cross (despite his undoubted 100% fitness and enthusisam).
However from what I sure, his booking did not result from frustration but a good solid, fair 50/50 tackle that the Sheff United player pathetically made the most of (as he did on several occasions afterwards).
When Green came on (and put in a tremendous shot) Wagstaffe was switched to middle of the park upfront: as he was in his late substitution in the cup game.
I have a feeling that that might be his best position and he could put in better performances there.