Twelfth Time Lucky.

Charlton Athletic 3 - Leyton Orient 1.


*With apologies to the 'only band that mattered', The Clash.

He's in love with Rock 'n Roll (Whoa),

He's in love with getting stoned (Whoa),

He's in love with Jamie Jones (Whoa),

But he don't like his boring job NO!

The game today at the Valley will live long in the memory of Orient's stopper, Jamie Jones.

He played what the pundits label 'a blinder', yet one mad rush of blood to the head wrecked his afternoon.

From a Charlton perspective, the game started really well. 

Orient seemed to be chasing shadows as the home side stroked the ball about, totally in control.

As is common for contemporary Charlton, all the possession and confidence lead to nothing when in front of goal.

Racon was having a fine afternoon, playing with his head up for a change and showing flashes of the player we all believe him to be underneath.


Orient became stronger as the half progressed. They started to dominate.

........................................................................

Unfortunately, Orient scored the opening goal. 

A deep cross / mishit shot ended up on the head of what seemed to be a painfully offside McGleish, who put away probably Orient's only good chance up to that point.

Charlton were stunned but the officials had obviously seen something we hadn't and the goal stood.

At half time, I was still fairly confident we could get back into the game but recent experience had taught me we probably wouldn't.

How wrong I was.

Jamie Jones had been the recipient of plenty of moans from the Addicks for his blatant time wasting. He'd been strolling around, hanging onto the ball for an eternity when he had a goal kick or any other chance to have a bit of a saunter. 

Time wasting in the first half?

Shouldn't he be playing for Tranmere?

The totally ineffectual referee had the opportunity to chastise him but decided to wave his watch clad wrist while pointing at his timepiece instead.

Yeah, that told him!

I wished misfortune on Jones and commented to Crispy that I hoped we scored after the ball cannoned in off his nether regions.

Rather juvenile I know but I really wanted him to suffer.

In the second period, Jones had a massive let off when he was caught in possession and attempted to dribble his way out of trouble. 

He lost the ball on the edge of his penalty area to the type of challenge that had it been made on any other player wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow.

However, apparently if you tackle a goalkeeper who thinks he's a sweeper, the bizarre no contact 'rule' seems to result in a free kick.

Who knew? Perhaps we should put Robbie Elliot in midfield?

Jones then performed some unbelievable saves, leading me to believe it wasn't going to be our day.

"Yet again, we meet a goalkeeper having the game of their lives", commented Crispy.

All this changed when Jones couldn't hold onto a BWP shot and presented a tap in for Johnny on the spot, Paul Benson.

I was pleased for Benson.

He's not had the season he was hoping for since joining from Dagenham, being hampered by injuries and also 2 sendings off.

He'd become the target for some of the less intellectual members of our support, who are searching for someone to blame for our current lowly league position.

It was soon to get better / worse depending on your club loyalties.

Jones had the ball, ambled about a while, then for some unknown reason, opted to throw the ball straight at BWP instead of punting it straight up the field.

Had Kevin Lisbie or Luke Varney been presented with the chance (while wearing a CAFC shirt), the ball would have probably gone for a goal kick but I was never in doubt young Bradders would tuck the ball away, which he did.

Jones looked like he wanted to find somewhere to hide. 

Had he not been so annoying earlier on, we might have shown him some sympathy, (well we might!) but in the circumstances it was a right old hoot.

I was up cheering but also having a right old belly laugh at the custodian's expense.

To add to Orient's woe, the goal came barely 3 minutes after they'd had what seemed a fairly good goal chalked off for what the referee seemed to be ostentatiously miming as 'pushing'.

Didn't see it myself.

Charlton put the game to bed when substitute Michael Stewart showed composure and timing to send in an inch perfect ball to the far post where Semedo was there to power in an unstoppable header.

What a day!

Semedo on the score sheet!

Of course, this is Charlton so we had to endure a few last minute moments when Orient managed to hit Elliot's crossbar (twice!) but the result was never in doubt by this time.

I never dreamed I'd ever be celebrating and really caring about a home win against Leyton Orient!

These are the times and the position we find ourselves in of course so celebrate like a madman I did.

It felt good to be walking along Harvey Gardens with the chant of "Red Army' filling my ears.

It's been a while.

A Casual Rating.

A Lacoste polo is being awarded to i) Paul Benson for his tireless running and following up for his goal.

 ii) 'Terry' Racon for finally looking like he can run a midfield.

iii) Jose Semedo for finally getting a Valley goal and then reportedly crying at the emotion of it all.

iv) Jamie Jones for giving us all an "I was there" moment.

The Primark novelty slogan tee shirt is going to ........ Jamie Jones, for, well you get the picture by now.

Ref Watch.

Hmm, both teams could probably find many incidents to show he was favouring the other side.

Could it be possible he was equally crud for both teams?

Not the best referee we've had this season but also not the worst.

An honest score of 5/10.