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POST-MATCH THREAD: Charlton Athletic v Lincoln City : Saturday 5th April 2025 : KO 15:00
LoOkOuT
Posts: 10,891
On the great occasion that is the UpBeats’ Day, in the shining South London sun, Charlton and Lincoln proved a frustrating affair. With Lloyd Jones still out, Tom McIntyre stepped in again to anchor the backline. But additionally, a Tyreece Campbell sized hole was left in the Charlton attack, which proved too much for the Addicks to overcome in the first half. Though not a direct replacement, Karoy Anderson filled the gap left by the in-form Campbell, but the game seemed to pass him by. Though Thierry Small tried his best to provide a threat down the wings, the opposite side was all at sea and, while threatening on occasion, the Addicks were less than razor sharp going forward. Early on, it was clear that this was going to be a frustrating afternoon.
Lincoln went ahead in the first half through a very good free kick into the near post that received a glancing header that shot past Will Mannion, giving him little chance.
Changes were made in the second half. Then, somewhat surprisingly, Lincoln doubled their lead through a bit of poor defending to go into halftime two goals up. The Valley was quiet and things looked bleak. But, on 56 minutes, Macauley Gillesphey got us back in it with a sublime shot from six yards. With Charlton swinging the momentum their way, Lincoln clearly wanted the final whistle on 60 minutes as they wasted time and attempted to turn the match into a stop and start snoozefest. Charlton were undeterred and kept pushing for an equaliser. Nathan Jones was not content and the squad and formation changes kept coming. The equaliser came through Greg finding a bit of space on the edge of the box. After a long throw, Lincoln failed to sufficiently clear it and Docherty stepped up with a stunningly left foot volley that came out of no where, travelled through traffic and gave their keeper no chance.
There were more than enough opportunities to win the match late in the second half. Aneke fashioned a great shot that went agonizingly wide. Matty Godden came close with a glancing header that the Lincoln keeper did well to save. And Gillesphey’s free kick was on target and tested the keeper but proved a straightforward save. Kaheim Dixon proved a useful attacking threat and played his role well in the minutes he had.
Charlton 2 Lincoln 2
Over to you.
Lincoln went ahead in the first half through a very good free kick into the near post that received a glancing header that shot past Will Mannion, giving him little chance.
Changes were made in the second half. Then, somewhat surprisingly, Lincoln doubled their lead through a bit of poor defending to go into halftime two goals up. The Valley was quiet and things looked bleak. But, on 56 minutes, Macauley Gillesphey got us back in it with a sublime shot from six yards. With Charlton swinging the momentum their way, Lincoln clearly wanted the final whistle on 60 minutes as they wasted time and attempted to turn the match into a stop and start snoozefest. Charlton were undeterred and kept pushing for an equaliser. Nathan Jones was not content and the squad and formation changes kept coming. The equaliser came through Greg finding a bit of space on the edge of the box. After a long throw, Lincoln failed to sufficiently clear it and Docherty stepped up with a stunningly left foot volley that came out of no where, travelled through traffic and gave their keeper no chance.
There were more than enough opportunities to win the match late in the second half. Aneke fashioned a great shot that went agonizingly wide. Matty Godden came close with a glancing header that the Lincoln keeper did well to save. And Gillesphey’s free kick was on target and tested the keeper but proved a straightforward save. Kaheim Dixon proved a useful attacking threat and played his role well in the minutes he had.
Charlton 2 Lincoln 2
Over to you.
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Comments
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The list of refs I wish to avoid if we make the play offs continues to grow longer.
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We got out pressed in the first half and just weren't at the races. Anderson was never going to work as a wide outlet so not sure why Jones went with it.
Thought Godden's header was in. Great to come back from 2 down but ultimately a disappointing game.21 -
Not our day today. Starting Anderson was the wrong choice I think his game is all about finishing games off charging around disrupting not trying to open teams up.17
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Poor from us, in what was an extremely frustrating performance.
lacklustre, lethargic and just no real effort to get forward.
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We’ve been seduced into thinking we can thread a very, very fine needle through to second place but today’s frustrating showing makes that even more unlikely. We’re probably just a little light in quality with the squad facing injuries and fatigue to make it to second but anything can happen in the playoffs.15
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We choked in the first half. It was back to the Oct-Dec form. Jones putting Anderson up front was straight out of the nonsensical Southgate playbook. Terrible decision.19
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Great to get a point from being 2 down, but that's really 2 points dropped at home from a very winnable game. The Valley was electric.
I don't understand Jones sticking Anderson in there today. I know he rates him, but he was sp obviously going to be ineffective in that role.
Today showed more than ever that whilst our starting 11 is very good, our squad is not. Aneke is good for a pot shot but is so immobile it is a joke. Mitchell was dreadful and Mcintyre was really poor. As lively as Dixon is, he's not going to turn any games for us at this stage of his career either.
All focus needs to be on getting the 2nd leg at home, and avoiding any more injuries to key players.18 -
Got a week to rest up. Pleased not to lose that. Can finally forget about top 2. Just hope we aren't under pressure when we play wycombe and wrexham.7
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Mitchell for McIntyre if Jones is still out. Anderson not a winger.
But a point is a good result from there. Such a shame Godden's header was brilliantly saved.
A week off now to get back two top players in Jones and TC, hopefully.3 -
Such an annoying ref. All those stoppages for fouls, 3 second-half goals, and only 5 minutes added on?? Then he blows up right on 5 after some more Lincoln timewasting.
Still, we weren't good enough today. TC + Lloyd are indispensable.27 -
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Should have been at least 10 minutes additional time.22
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We were very below par all over the pitch today but still created enough to get all 3 points3
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OK, our winning run at home ends at eight matches ... but we didn't lose.
As awful as our first 50 mins was this afternoon if it hadn't been for Lincoln's goalkeeper putting in one of the performances of his career we'd have probably won it, despite being 2-0 down.
That first half was dire and Jones has to admit that playing Karoy in the front half was a dumb idea, he's a defensive half player.
Two bad goals (from a Charlton perspective) conceded but the way we grew into the second half, coupled with Lincoln shitting the bed everytime Chuks came near them) allowed us to take more control and get back to parity.
A word about the ref: diabolical. The free kicks he was awarding the oppo but denying the same to us, his acceptance of their timewasting and not even adding the required time to the end of the game (including stoppage time from stoppage time) was a disgrace.
Our season is far from over. Second spot has been pushed a bit further away from us but we shouldn't sit back and meekly accept play-offs. Go out and win our remaining five matches and let the other clubs worry about us.19 -
Obviously missed Jones and Campbell, so would most sides in this league. Aim for the rest of the season must be finishing 3rd/4th. Wrexham are too far gone6
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A chaotic mess of a game, so a point gained in the circumstances.We have to hope that TC and Jones are back next week.2
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In any other circumstances, 7 points from 3 tough games would be seen as a near perfect return but we all wanted to make it nine to keep the pressure on Wrexham. In terms of the selection and game management, Nathan Jones called it right, with Campbell out, his two other options were Chuks and Gas, Chuks can't do 90 mins and Gas hasn't played since the turn of the year, so you try something else. Anderson playing further forward was not the answer but we made a change and hoped not to concede, unfortunately we did just that and it was an uphill battle from then on in. Fair play to the team they kept going and got a deserved point. Special mention for Dixon and Gillesphey, Dixon showed some lovely touches and looked more confident and Gillesphey was faultless at the back and his goal got us back in it.5
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Not at it today. Bad day at the office. NJ got it wrong 1st half. Good news, we rescued a vital point. Not his fault but Anderson not involved at all 1st half. Second was a bit better but when we scored and had a bit of momentum they managed it well. Keeper made a decent save from Chuks, even better from Godden. Not too despondent. We had won 8 on the bounce at home, it wasn't going to continue for ever. Hope TC and Jones are back next week. Defence very shaky all game. Mitchell awful when he came on. Why only 5 minutes added on? More like 8 or 9. Oh well, onwards and upwards.12
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Entertaining in its own way and good to get a point from two down. However, thats top two gone now so it’s about managing the injuries and making sure we get TC and jones on the pitch for the big games coming up.It has to be said though, for much of that game we were utter tripe. Right back to the shapeless hoof-ball of the pre- Christmas period. As others have said, our first 11 is very good, our squad is not. And that referee was an utter disgrace.I felt a little deflated when the early Wrexham result came in. Wonder if the team did too?6
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I know he was played out of position but for me Anderson is very much in the mould
of Lapslie and Wagstaff. Will run through walls but ultimately not good enough.We didn’t play well but fair play they didn’t give up. I’d really like to see more of Gilbert, not sure what he’s done to not be put on earlier6 -
Strange decision playing Anderson in Campbell role. But rectified it in second half and should have won with better finishing and guile.1
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So frustrating.How was there only 5 mins injury time after three long drinks/injury breaks with multiple substitutions and time wasting as well?! Should have been at least eight.Lincoln’s keeper was my MoM. A wonder save to tip over Chuk’s curler, and the tip round the post from what looked like Godden’s match winning header.Lincoln were very physical and were masters at slowing the game down.11
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I hope the ref wasn't late for whatever it was he was in a hurry to get away for. Cock.
It's all been said already, Anderson not the right starting choice really. Shame we couldn't take advantage of Wycombe's dropped points, but at least we didn't fall back. All the time second is possible, I'll not stop believing 😉
Really shows how there's no plan B though. Without TC everything looked scrappy and desperate.5 -
That’s us signing James Collins in the summer if we don’t get promoted5
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Take a 2-2 after being 2 down but really that ends our chance of 2nd spot. All being said looking back to December we would have bitten someone’s arm off for play offs. So let’s focus on getting that nailed down and then being as fit and prepared as possible.In reality, today told us that we struggle massively taking Jones and TC out the side. Bit we already know that. Both described as minor calf injuries - with them back it’s a different team. Really need them back next week.
McIntyre struggled. Anderson for TC in that position was as big a downgrade as you would expect. Their press meant Coventry had much less time on the ball. Edwards was decent.
Just get TC and Jones back in the team and that’s a side I can trust to give the playoffs a good go.3 -
A point from a game where we were 2-0 down and playing poorly is a good point.
Looked very disjointed for the whole game and there was a degree lethargy that we've not seen for weeks.
Gaps in the squad were shown up. If TC is going to miss anymore games then we need to be switching formation to use the players available and not shoe horning square pegs into round holes (Anderson).
I didn't watch the Mansfield game so can't comment on his performance there, but McIntyre looked a real week link at the back today. Passing was shocking and completely done for their second goal.
Missing two seriously in form players was always going to hurt, to then have a key man (Coventry) having a rare off day as well left us in a really tough position.
First half we got out fought and they broke our press far too easily - suggests TC does lead said press very well.
Big positive for me, despite playing poorly, we still scored twice and fashioned 2/3 big chances to win it, against a team who don't concede many goals.
Medical staff need to earn their money in the week and pull out all the stops to get TC and LJ back on the pitch. Cambridge will be a tough game. They are fighting to stay up and now unbeaten in 4.
Had no idea James Collins was playing for them until today. Assume he is on loan from Derby?
Less said about the plumb with the whistle the better.4 -
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Yet another ref who'll receive a large BACS payment from Wrexham FC on Monday!! ;-)5
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I think we all knew this performance was on the cards if we had key players missing. Just keep the unbeaten run going and two more wins will guarantee playoffs. If we have form going into it then I'm not bothered who we get first or second leg. Midweek catch up games will show who else is going to be in the play off places.2
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5 minutes added time, a ref who doesn't know what a foul is (for both sides), does nothing about blatant time wasting, and plays 5 minutes added time when you had injuries, subs, goals, crazy time wasting and the refs assistant farting around with the sub board for 2 minutes at the end. It is almost as scandalous as the joker who gave Wrexham a penalty when their player ran into the Burton keeper. It is a big reason we have to get out of this league as the officials are byeond a joke. 5 minutes! And he blew up early despite some stoppages within those 5 minutes!
I'd look at signing their keeper. What a save from Godden.9 -
Frustrating performance, on another day we could have been 2-0 up before they made it 1-0... It could have ended 5-2... As apart from one save; Mannion had nothing to do all game apart from a bit of catching practice and picking the ball out of the net.
Their Goalkeeper put in a stormer of a performance, so on the whole - Full credit to him... He was the first reason we didn't win today.
The second reason we didn't win, wasn't because we didn't have Jones / Campbell, still think that would be an easy excuse to blame it on that (Although maybe they don't make the errors that Anderson / McIntyre made for their goals) - But because we reverted into ourselves, the first goal saw classic Charlton come out and say hello... We were bereft of ideas and just didn't do enough with it, from the Midfield to the width, with even Small pretty ineffective.
Then came the second goal shortly after Half-Time and you could tell by Jones' reaction that they potentially hadn't taken his words on at half-time as he made instant changes. Full credit to him... I fully expected him to wait a bit longer, but he was reactionary today, and it came so close to paying off for us once more.
Finally it came down to the Referee, who must have a delightful appointment that he cant afford to miss this evening, and hope that he has a lovely time - However like the Referee in the Euro 24 Final, its criminal not to add on any further time, after your initial statement (even that was wrong), when one side barely allow for the ball to be in play for any of that time signalled, its just criminal.
Of course though we can complain about the referee, but the fact is... We didn't win, because we cant afford to start matches from the 50th minute... We did well to rescue it today, whereas past seasons its cost us... We move on to the next one with the Play-Offs now looking the sole and likely target.9
