In the aftermath of the Huddersfield game I wrote "Following the red card, we played with spirit, energy, passion and pride in the shirt. Yes, we may not have won, but if we play with those attributes for the rest of the season we will be fine." The same attributes were on display on Saturday and a win deservedly occurred.
This was, of course, a game defined by the red cards and the consequences of the same. The first red card for Hollands may or may not have been fair. Without the benefit of the TV replay, I can't conclusively say one way or the other. However, with the wild way the challenge appeared to be made, the possibly of a sending off was always there. The frustration was compounded by the unnecessary nature of the challenge.
The sending off of Wagstaff in the second half appeared wrong, as the player took the ball. In between sending two of our players off, the referee also managed to give one of their players a second yellow. Thus ensuing a tense stand off as the stewards waited to take the referee down the tunnel at half time whilst the home fans in that section of the main stand voiced their displeasure.
I do not believe that the referee was biased in favour of one or other of the two teams, he was simply not great. Poor decisions were given by the linesman, twice the ball went out of play near him and no throw in awarded.
When Charlton were reduced in numbers, the response from the players that remained was fantastic. No more could have been asked or given from those players. This was possibly the greatest performance by a group of men wearing red since Rorke's Drift.
Yann's header flew past the keeper like a bullet. On a day when several other players would have been man of of the match on any other Saturday, Yann who ran himself into the ground and appeared to be in a state of exhaustion upon the final whistle, was man of the match.
Charlton were roared on by an increasingly vociferous support, aided by the drummer. The day ended with players and fans united, and finally CP coming down to the visitors section to acknowledge the support. For those that were there, the day will remain long in the memory. For those that were not, you missed something special.
A note on the Oldham support. Several people in the main stand shouted and made gestures to CP following the final whistle. Judging by CP's response, this was of a positive nature, so credit to them for that.
Good day out all round, my mate was silly enough to wear shorts up north, was freezing cold and got terrorized by the stewards, one said "not even the Geordies wear shorts to Oldham mate". Had a bargain bucket to celebrate, roll on Preston and a night in Blackpool.
Comments
This was, of course, a game defined by the red cards and the consequences of the same. The first red card for Hollands may or may not have been fair. Without the benefit of the TV replay, I can't conclusively say one way or the other. However, with the wild way the challenge appeared to be made, the possibly of a sending off was always there. The frustration was compounded by the unnecessary nature of the challenge.
The sending off of Wagstaff in the second half appeared wrong, as the player took the ball. In between sending two of our players off, the referee also managed to give one of their players a second yellow. Thus ensuing a tense stand off as the stewards waited to take the referee down the tunnel at half time whilst the home fans in that section of the main stand voiced their displeasure.
I do not believe that the referee was biased in favour of one or other of the two teams, he was simply not great. Poor decisions were given by the linesman, twice the ball went out of play near him and no throw in awarded.
When Charlton were reduced in numbers, the response from the players that remained was fantastic. No more could have been asked or given from those players. This was possibly the greatest performance by a group of men wearing red since Rorke's Drift.
Yann's header flew past the keeper like a bullet. On a day when several other players would have been man of of the match on any other Saturday, Yann who ran himself into the ground and appeared to be in a state of exhaustion upon the final whistle, was man of the match.
Charlton were roared on by an increasingly vociferous support, aided by the drummer. The day ended with players and fans united, and finally CP coming down to the visitors section to acknowledge the support. For those that were there, the day will remain long in the memory. For those that were not, you missed something special.
A note on the Oldham support. Several people in the main stand shouted and made gestures to CP following the final whistle. Judging by CP's response, this was of a positive nature, so credit to them for that.
Had a bargain bucket to celebrate, roll on Preston and a night in Blackpool.