Charlton the Bridesmaid. Cardiff the Bride.

Cardiff City 0  - Charlton Athletic 0.

This game was never about Charlton.

The only thing that mattered, as far as anyone not connected with SE7 was concerned, was the potential return of the side from the Welsh capital to the top flight of English football, for the first time in over 50 years.

Due to Watford fluffing their lines, Cardiff didn't even need to beat Charlton to get promoted.

We had the rather odd scenario of thousands of delirious people swarming onto the pitch to celebrate the result of holding Charlton to a 0-0 draw.

Having lived in Cardiff, (Cathays and also Roath) as a student, I was most dismayed not to witness any men who were short in stature and wearing red 'V' neck sweaters, teamed with Freddy Mercury moustaches.
I guess things have moved on.

The commentator on the live feed I was watching may as well have been sitting there wearing his Cardiff (red?) scarf, such was his lack of impartiality throughout the game.

At the end, he even managed to announce that Cardiff were in dreamland after "beating Charlton", before he caught hold of himself and added, "well, it certainly feels like it!"

Cardiff have been the standout team in the Championship all season and deserve to get promoted.
(They have, after all, managed to grab a whole 1 point from their games against us).

I'd rather they'd done it while maintaining their historical blue shirts but I don't suppose there'll be many people complaining about selling out their heritage tonight.

The game was a scrappy affair, with few real chances from either side.

The one moment of real drama hinged on Jackson hitting the post from what looked like around 30 yards from goal. A great effort but tonight was all about Cardiff. It just wouldn't do for the Charlton captain to poop the party.

In summary, a very well earned point against a very well drilled side.

The 'traditional' Charlton slump once we head into British Summer Time has been shoved aside for the second season running.

Bring on the Wolves!

I Believe In Miracles..........

Barnsley 0 - Charlton Athletic 6 (SIX).

I believe in miracles. Where you from?
You sixy thing (you sixy thing-you)

Well. That was pretty good wasn't it?

Having just crossed the Atlantic, I decided that I'd done enough travelling and therefore at no point was I heading up North to Barnsley.

This didn't change my feelings of joy, or the happiness on behalf of all those Addicks who did make the journey, (plus all the twitter Addicks who were following the game online via CAFC player and social media).

I actually managed to miss the first 2 goals due to also trying to follow the Masters golf from Augusta.

Nevermind.

There were still FOUR more for me to enjoy.

A fantastic day to be an Addick. We've played well and not got what we deserved in many games this season but since Bolton came to the Valley, a corner has been turned.

On Tuesday, Cardiff are fully expecting us to be cannon fodder for their ongoing promotion party but even if this is the case, our season is ending on a bit of a high.
We didn't expect this a few weeks ago.

Six different scorers could well end up being a pub quiz answer so here goes.

Pritchard, (4), Jackson (19), Kermorgant (48), Harriott (59), Kerkar (80) and Fuller (93).

Barnsley may try to soften the blow by saying they had 2 players red carded but the game was well and truly up for them well before anybody was sent off.
(Dawson on 62 minutes and Kennedy on 86 minutes).

Enjoy your Saturday night fellow Addicks.
I know I will.

What a Week.

Last weekend we had a home victory that for the first 20 minutes looked completely fanciful. Bolton were just too good and we went 2 nil down extremely quickly.

The 3-2 fight back was enough to make us happy again and forget our appalling home record.

A midweek draw against highly fancied Brighton kept the momentum going nicely which brought us to the visit of Leeds United.

Leeds were one of my tips for the top at the beginning of the season.
Unfortunately for them, Colin seemed to have no help from 'upstairs', culminating in his departure after a defeat to Derby last week.

I was fairly shocked at how poor Leeds were.
They're certainly a team who are a shadow of the one they were 18 months ago.
Becoming a feeder club for Norwich can't have helped.

At no point yesterday did I feel Charlton were in danger of losing.
It seemed as if we were going to have to be satisfied with a totally undeserved dropping of 2 points for a short while but for once, Charlton managed to send us home bouncing after the setback.

Jackson opened the scoring with a blast into the top of the net, though we were all wondering if he was offside, the officials didn't seem bothered.

Other than a shot that hit the outside of the post, Leeds offered nothing in reply until our old friend Reg Varney came on as a sub.

His time at the Valley was frustrating. He scored some good goals but missed many more, often in a fashion that made you turn into John Cleese, clasping your knees.

A rather flukey deflected shot after a spot of pinball in the Charlton penalty area had Varney celebrating weakly.
Some thought it was because he was showing us 'respect' but I know it was because he was ashamed, due to controlling the ball with his arm.

Obika came on to run around with purpose for the last 5 minutes and while most of us were thinking "typical Charlton, bah!" He rose like a salmon to nod in the winner, deep into added on time.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!

Three sides of the Valley erupted and the Northerners sulked off home.

Chris Powell was last off the pitch and resurrected his (double) tunnel jump to the delight of the crowd.

Happy days.