An assured performance from Chris Powell's charges saw us safely through to the second round of the F A Cup where we have the home tie I wanted.
I was really pleased to see us start with seven first team players and I thought Powell got it bang on with his team selection and substitutions. Sullivan (doesn't he look increasingly like Sasa Illic?) came in for Hamer and reserve keepers need every opportunity they can get for first team experience. Cedric Evina got another deserved start to give Rhoys Wiggins a rest and he joined Solly, Morrison and Taylor in the back-line. Other than that the midfield was as-you-were, so it was Hayes and Euell who came in upfront for Wright-Phillips and Kermorgant.
It was good to see Bradley Pritchard back as a sub and the seemingly forgotten Michael Smith making the journey. Good too that Powell included BWP just in case we needed more firepower.
Chris Solly played another blinder at right-back and was probably my man-of-the-match. Not sure though about our fans song about him that rhymed "Solly" with "quality!" Taylor got his first Charlton goal and the ITV MOTM award and, for once, he did more work than Morrison. Evina was comfortable enough at right-back but we didn't see much of him across the half-way line.
I thought Halifax had too much space in midfield but the performance and the result speak for themselves. Hollands had the wrong studs in during the first-half and the wet, lush turf had him slipping and sliding all over the shop. Johnnie Jackson had another good game and crowned it with the finish of the match. Nice to see him refuse to celebrate after scoring his goal which killed off a spirited Halifax side. Hollands also nicked a typical scrappy third which you get when your opponents are down-and-out and Bradley Pritchard rubbed salt into the wound with the fourth.
Paul Hayes will be a tad disappointed on not doing a bit more on his return north although it was his inch perfect deep cross which teed Matt Taylor up for his looping header for the opener. Jason Euell showed once more that he doesn't have the pace or the touch to command a regular place and he must surely be playing his last ever games in a Charlton shirt. Nature knows no sentiment.
All-in-all, another very good day for Charlton Athletic and I can't see Carlisle United halting our progress to the third round. If I am going to be picky, and I am, someone has to have a word with Whingeing Wagstaff. His constant moaning reflects poorly on his colleagues who are all admirably honest pros. He is the Boy Who Cried Wolf and it is so unnecessary. He may have been caught late on but his histrionics in pulling his legs up into the foetal position and thudding to the deck is something he has shown us numerous times in the past. He always gets up unscathed but it often gets his opponent a card more than they deserved. Today it earned a non-league opponent, playing probably the biggest game of his career, a straight red when I think a yellow was the correct decision.
I was really pleased to see us start with seven first team players and I thought Powell got it bang on with his team selection and substitutions. Sullivan (doesn't he look increasingly like Sasa Illic?) came in for Hamer and reserve keepers need every opportunity they can get for first team experience. Cedric Evina got another deserved start to give Rhoys Wiggins a rest and he joined Solly, Morrison and Taylor in the back-line. Other than that the midfield was as-you-were, so it was Hayes and Euell who came in upfront for Wright-Phillips and Kermorgant.
It was good to see Bradley Pritchard back as a sub and the seemingly forgotten Michael Smith making the journey. Good too that Powell included BWP just in case we needed more firepower.
Chris Solly played another blinder at right-back and was probably my man-of-the-match. Not sure though about our fans song about him that rhymed "Solly" with "quality!" Taylor got his first Charlton goal and the ITV MOTM award and, for once, he did more work than Morrison. Evina was comfortable enough at right-back but we didn't see much of him across the half-way line.
I thought Halifax had too much space in midfield but the performance and the result speak for themselves. Hollands had the wrong studs in during the first-half and the wet, lush turf had him slipping and sliding all over the shop. Johnnie Jackson had another good game and crowned it with the finish of the match. Nice to see him refuse to celebrate after scoring his goal which killed off a spirited Halifax side. Hollands also nicked a typical scrappy third which you get when your opponents are down-and-out and Bradley Pritchard rubbed salt into the wound with the fourth.
Paul Hayes will be a tad disappointed on not doing a bit more on his return north although it was his inch perfect deep cross which teed Matt Taylor up for his looping header for the opener. Jason Euell showed once more that he doesn't have the pace or the touch to command a regular place and he must surely be playing his last ever games in a Charlton shirt. Nature knows no sentiment.
All-in-all, another very good day for Charlton Athletic and I can't see Carlisle United halting our progress to the third round. If I am going to be picky, and I am, someone has to have a word with Whingeing Wagstaff. His constant moaning reflects poorly on his colleagues who are all admirably honest pros. He is the Boy Who Cried Wolf and it is so unnecessary. He may have been caught late on but his histrionics in pulling his legs up into the foetal position and thudding to the deck is something he has shown us numerous times in the past. He always gets up unscathed but it often gets his opponent a card more than they deserved. Today it earned a non-league opponent, playing probably the biggest game of his career, a straight red when I think a yellow was the correct decision.
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