Monday 10 April 2023

Charlton Athletic 3 v Burton Albion 2

A sparkling opening twenty minutes which saw Charlton go two up and look like they could score six again, slowed to a disappointing end to the first-half as Burton pulled one back from a Maynard-Brewer fumble. The second forty-five was scrappy and despite Bonne adding a third we fell apart towards the end and were hanging on at 3-2 after Payne was sent off for two rash challenges.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi showed once again what promise he has as he scored two fine goals in the opening twenty minutes and was a thorn in Burton's side. His first goal was brilliant as he cut inside before pulling the two covering central defenders one way before cutting back and hammering a low shot wide of MacGillivray. For his second, he ran onto a through ball from George Dobson before ghosting past the last man and slotting home. 

We really should have had three before half-time. Tyreece Campbell got to the line three times but saw a shot beaten out by McGillivray and he couldn't quite find a red head with a couple of decent crosses. If Macauley Bonne had been able to find any space he might have scored too.

Just before half-time a hopeful high punt into the box saw Maynard-Brewer come off his line but he ran into the back of Hector and could only flap at the ball which Hughes hooked in gratefully. 

Within six minutes of the restart we restored our two goal lead when the ball fell kindly for Bonne who slipped it home from close range. That should have been that but we failed to capitalise once again and Burton were encouraged to keep coming forward and scrapping. Three substitutions on 68 minutes didn't really help our shape or momentum. Payne came on for Fraser, Kane for Dobson and Henry for Egbo, who to be fair, had been clattered. Burton pushed on and got the goal they probably deserved. after that we were really struggling. Bonne had taken a knock and the middle were struggling to contain Burton. Payne flew in after a couple of tasty tackles and the ref had no option but to book him. 

Zach Mitchell and Daniel Kanu came on with three minutes left but were off the pace as Burton continued to press. Three minutes later and Payne saw red after another mistimed tackle. It wasn't as bad as his first yellow but it was still late and he can have no complaints. 

I reckon Dean Holden will be very unhappy with this victory as his side showed poor game management and they lost cohesion after a positive start. For me, it showed once again the lack of winners in the team. You couldn't see anyone barking orders or directing their team-mates. No-one put their foot on the ball and we failed to slow the game when Burton were pressing us towards the end. 

It was one of those games where you left the stadium feeling annoyed despite coming away with the three points. This season can't finish soon enough.


No comments:

Post a Comment

Go on, you know you want to....