Charlton Athletic 3 v Fleetwood Town 2

Six wins in succession and 18 points in 18 days. Charlton up to third with a game in hand on Ipswich and Peterborough. It's a pity we have to play in the F A Cup on Saturday but perhaps the break will do us good and help get one or two nearer a return from injury.

At last we were fully competitive in an opening forty-five minutes and we deservedly raced into a two goal lead. Ben Purrington met a third minute corner from the left and took his chance for redemption heading home from six yards. After that we were rampant for half-an-hour. Maatsen had been moved up on the left and he was a revelation. Running at Fleetwood with pace and poise he supplied a line of ammunition from the wing and prompting from inside with Shinnie and Watson.

Fleetwood were carved open as Charlton ran at them from left and right. We forced a series of corners which were all delivered into the box for a change, as we knocked on the door. Purrington fired over from close range after Gunter had headed a Shinnie cross onto him at the back post. Maatsen rifled high after a direct run and Bogle also knocked one over the bar after Albie Morgan had found him in a bit of space.

However, Charlton weren't to be denied and a ball from Gunter freed Bogle in space on the right, he ran on and shot at Leutwiler whose block ricocheted out to Washington who stabbed it back beyond him for 2-0.

Bet365 paid me out at that point and I also decided to cash-in on my double with Huddersfield who had gone one-up against Bristol City. A whole minute later and Ched Evans reduced the deficit with a typical poacher's goal having got one-on-one with Inniss and finding space to dispatch a shot from close range. Two minutes later and Evans repeated the feat although there was a hint of a foul on Inniss this time but the goal was given. 2-2 at the break then but this had been our best forty-five minutes of the season so far with far more ambition and enterprise than we have shown so far.  

It only took us a few minutes of the second-half to restore our lead. Albie Morgan did well to work his way into the box and when the ball was played to him from several yards behind he knew all he had to do was keep his line and he would go down under a challenge. He did that for an easy penalty and Conor Washington strode up to drive in his fifth goal of the season. 

After that it was just a case of could we get a fourth really. Bogle got into a couple of great positions but fluffed his lines once again. Washington found a yard of space and whistled a low drive inches wide of the post. Amos tipped a Duffy header over the bar and saved low from substitute Camps. 

Morgan made way for Matthews and Anneke finally got on for Bogle. As if to underline the difference between the two, he struck a post after a run across the goal. After that we saw the game out without too much drama as we have become quite accustomed to. It was also great to see Inniss and then Anneke fronting up to Evans and Finally after both had clattered young Maatsen and hung about a second longer than they should have. Bowyer has them battling for each other as well as for the team.

I also thought Fleetwood were a decent side. Lots of experience and they put a succession of really good balls into our box throughout the game which we dealt with admirably. It was very evident just how well drilled they were. Every player taking a touch before playing the ball, time and time and time again. Perhaps they would have beniffied from a little more directness and speed at times?

Anyway, it was another good day on Valley Pass and it's refreshing to be anticipating a glimpse at the table and the fixtures. Our games to Christmas don't look too taxing I have to say. Gillingham and Wimbledon are probably the trickiest given how they can play-up against us but equally, we should be confident of beating both of them as well as the majority of the others who lie in wait.

Thomas Sangaard said last week that if we are well placed at Christmas it would be wise to invest a little in the squad. That sounds eminently sensible and very likely. We really need a goal-scorer who can offer real competition upfront and help us put games to bed during the second-half of the season.