The rest of us had to make do with struggling to follow the game on Valley Pass. Last week we had an electronic hammering sound for half this match and this week no commentary.
A now familiar Charlton eleven started with Amos in goal, Barker, Oshilaja, Pratley and Purrington once again forming the defence. Albie Morgan got a rare start alongside Forster-Caskey, Doughty and Gilbey in the middle with Bonne and Washington upfront.
Charlton had a bright opening 25 minutes and should have taken the lead. Bonne headed onto the roof of the net before Washington charged in on goal and forced a shot just wide of the far post with Alex Gilbey who was sliding in, inches away. Gilbey himself also had a fine effort tipped away at the base of the post as Charlton pressed for the opener.
However, on 25 minutes Doncaster struck. Having committed men forward and getting getting into a good position, Charlton won the ball back deep in defence and should have cleared their lines. Darren Pratley instead decided to play the ball out but his pass across his box went straight to a black shirt and Rovers sensed blood. Two touches later and Gomes strode onto a pass and forced a low shot beyond Amos into a huge gap to the left of the Charlton goal.
After that, Doncaster had their tails up and more of the play switched to the Charlton half. It took a low diving save from Amos to keep out a second Doncaster goal. His save went some way to atoning for his positioning for the first.
Charlton hopes of drawing level ended minutes after the restart when the unfortunate Chris Barker could only slice a ball into his own net as he tried to clear. Doncaster looked home and dry and despite a concerted effort to get back into the game. Charlton struggled to create anything significant. Washington worked his way into goal on 62 minutes but Bursik blocked his near post shot. Doncaster then put the result beyond doubt when John-Jules skipped past a lame tackle in the box before smashing the third.
The distraught Barker was shortly withdrawn as Jonny Williams came on to try and turn the tide. He had been clattered by James who was booked for it. Conor Washington headed home a consolation goal on 67 minutes from a corner after Doncaster failed to clear and the ball was headed back and forth across goal before the Ulsterman reached it. We continued to attack and made some promising moves but nothing fell for us.
It was a spirited display by Lee Bowyer's men but the difference between the sides was Charlton's poor defence. Darren Pratley has made a name for himself at The Valley by coming on with twenty to go and shoring things up or urging the side forward. However, he is no longer a 90 minute player and that's what we are asking from him. Osilaja wasn't a first choice last season and still has a lot to learn and Chris Barker is only 17. Lincoln away next week suddenly looks a lot tougher.
The need for strengthening of the first team was cruelly exposed this afternoon and Paul Elliott needs to be held accountable for his selfish court action that is currently preventing it - "make Charlton great again," my arse.
Elsewhere, a group of protesting Charlton fans took action at a local Screwfix store by picketing in protest at Screwfix's sponsorship of the EFL whose inaction over Elliott's Owners & Directors Test may be helping his ongoing legal action. The store closed it's doors after awhile and the EFL will be squirming.
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