And In The Second Half They Rose Again.....

JJ inspired the Addicks comeback

With wonderful religious timing The Addicks rose from the dead yesterday. Another great man whose name starts with a J inspired his 10 disciples to turn around a two goal deficit. 

It was looking like a miserable Easter for one and all after 20 minutes as the Addicks insipid display led to thoughts of a proper mauling akin to Christians being fed to the lions ( apologies for that reference ). Skip almost single-handedly led the team back into the game with supreme effort and determination that was  perfectly encapsulated by his goal....he would not be denied !

The first half saw poor performances from almost every Charlton player save probably Skip, Harriott and Solly. Added to referee Kettle's impression of a chocolate teapot it was looking like another miserable Saturday afternoon.

Our boys didn't seem up for it in the opening 20 to 25 minutes and Sir Chris's decision to bring in Hamer, Hughes and Dervite appeared to be a decidedly bad one. The Trotters could have taken the lead earlier than they did as the woeful Ngog spurned a wonderful opportunity. Sordell later showed how it should be done as he turned Dervite inside out before slotting home. Hamer was not to blame for that but he'll be disappointed with the second as Kamara scored with an accurate but tame effort from some distance.

Realising that we really ought to be trying the lads responded and young Callum started to run at Bolton's defence and linked up well with Wiggins on several occasions. Fuller began to use his experience and nous to good effect and later following to strong run saw his cross / shot pass agonisingly close to the goal with no one on hand to provide the finishing touch

Half time and being a goal down with Hughes looking like he was going to lose it I felt he might need to be replaced at half time. Shades of Morrision from earlier in the season I feared, thankfully our prayers were answered in every way !

The second period saw Fuller come into his own and for his efforts, cunning and skill he deserved a goal yesterday. Ricardo has been much maligned by some of late. He remains a quality striker and all his guile delivered us the win yesterday. As ever he was being fouled constantly and got little protection from the ref. I understand he's battling through a shoulder injury too. 

Yann's wonderfully taken free kick hit the post and Dorian was on hand to dispatch the rebound. A couple of minutes after winning the free kick that saw Ricketts' dismissal Fuller won us a penalty after a mazy run into the box saw him upended. 

Yann confidently placed the ball on the spot for what I believe was his first competitive penalty since the infamous play-off final one. The ball was duly placed into the bottom right hand corner on the net. Very cool, very brave ! All video is to be sent to the King Power stadium........look at what you could have won !

The 7 minutes added on was torture as we're all aware of our propensity to concede late goals this season but in reality Bolton never really looked like scoring. The whinging Davies departed the scene before the final whistle and Knight got a yellow for his trouble as the Bolton entourage lost what little discipline they had.

The Trotters have some good players ( and one particularly bad one, Alonso was truly woeful ) but with their reliance on physical assault as opposed to trying to use the undoubted skills of players like Lee then the play offs will be beyond them unless they encounter some very lenient officials.

A good win then and the Easter eggs will taste all the better because of it. A glance at the other scores yesterday further underlines the importance of the victory. One more win seems essential and two more would make things pretty safe.

Brighton on Tuesday next up then. I'm not going much as I'd liked to as I'm in the midst of moving house and my focus needs to be on that. I'd recommend imbibing at the Gardeners Arms in Lewes for a lovely drop of Harvey's. The Gardeners is a bit like Solly, small with character and will always deliver. A trip to Lewes also gives you the chance to grab a view of the Dripping Pan, the home of Lewes FC.

Good luck to all those who are going and let's hope for another 3 points on the road.

Come On You Reds !