What a glorious day with unseasonally warm weather, sun shining, and a match at the Abbey.
Despite our perilous position of 23rd in League 2, 6707 were at the Abbey which included 1034 Charlton fans. We were living in hope of a win to keep our very slim chances of survival alive, they wanted the 3 points to stay in the play off positions.
Digby was injured so was replaced by Malone, otherwise it was the same team as the last match: Stevens in goal, Malone, Watts, Morrison and Gibbons at the back, Bennett, Stevenson, Brophy and Stokes across the middle with Loft and Ballard up front.
Nothing much happened until the 13th minute when Cambell got to a long ball on their left, came inside and put in a shot which went through the legs of Gibbons and into the far corner of the net. 0-1. Campbell let the occasion get the better of him by celebrating at the left of the NRE end and making various hand gestures at the fans which were unnecessary, and meant that every time he got the ball there were loud boos.
Soon after Campbell had a similar attempt this time Stevens was able to push the ball away. A further attempt from a similar position by Godden hit the post.
In between Campbell took a swipe at Gibbons, the referee decided a yellow card was all that was required, others would have got out a red card.
U’s did little up front, but did almost get an equaliser when a driven shot from Brophy at the bye line went across goal to hit the head of a defender which took the ball back across goa again but just wide of the post.
Half time: 0-1. 50/50 ticket # 27591 won £529.
Former U’s keeper Will Mannion got a warm round of applause as he went to the NRE goal for the second half. I don’t think I am alone in wishing he was still with us!
The second half was slightly better in that we did put them under some pressure with a few periods of good inter passing, but as so often there was no cutting edge when it came to getting shots on goal, Watts and Malone both hitting the side netting.
Malone got injured and was replaced by Kachunga on 66 minutes.
Charlton had a couple of half chances but Stevens was equal to them.
Gibbons and Loft were replaced on 73 minutes for Kaikai and Andrews, and on 88 Njoku came on for Brophy.
Ballard had a good run to get into a shooting position but his shot trundled wide, A deep cross was headed back which caused some panic before Ballard shot over, Stevenson and Andrews also had shots from around the edge of the penalty area go over the bar.
Final score: 0-1.
The stats show we had 12 shots, but none on target, they had 10 but got 5 on target. It wasn’t a great match, Charlton didn’t look like a playoff quality team. They also won on the number of bookings, they got 5 yellows to our 1 (Loft as usual!). Campbell should have been booked for his gesticulations to the crowd, and a red for flattening Gibbons!
Our substitutes made no difference, Kachunga didn’t look interested and Kaikai rarely got the ball, not sure if Njoku even got a touch!
Shrewsbury, CUFC and Crawley look to be down, Burton are making a real fight to stay up by winning 3 of their last 6 matches and have leapfrogged Bristol Rovers who are on a 6 match losing streak!
A final observation that Luke Berry still has very thin legs, but looks exactly the same as when he wore a U’s shirt!