Image © Charlton Athletic
Both teams started strongly from the kick off. The shape of the Ipswich side suggested they hadn't come to lie down, happily pushing players up the park to attack. Charlton replied to this pressure and pace in the best possible fashion in the first half, and played some exquisite football at times.
The home team broke the deadlock in only the 6th minute. A header from Iwelumo found Sam on the edge of the box, who held it up long enough to let in Holland on the overlap. His inch-perfect cross to Ambrose was met by a bullet-header, ex-Ipswich 1, Ipswich 0.
The Addicks continued to press and started showing levels of skill and confidence missing all too often from home performances. Lloyd Sam impressed with a neat turn and shot, Reid kept the midfield ticking over, and Zhi was having possibly his best game this season with a number of great tackles and intelligent passing.
The second goal was scruffy but no less deserved on the balance of play. Ipswich needlessly conceded a corner, and Alexander in the Town goal failed to collect Reid's delivery. Iwelumo only had to touch it over the line - such was the 'pace' on the ball it took the North Stand a few seconds to appreciate it was a goal! After a look at the replay I'm not convinced it wasn't a handball but it stands regardless, 2-0 to Charlton on the half-hour.
Ipswich's first real chance came after the introduction of Counago. A free-kick was nodded into his path, but both the post and linesman's flag saved the Addicks on this occasion.
Moments later a long, high ball from Mills found Reid in space behind the Ipswich defence. He laid the ball into the path of Ambrose, who thumped it into the bottom-left corner for his second of the game. Charlton had finished the first half on a flyer, leaving Magilton's side with a mountain to climb in the second half.
Whatever happened in the half-time team talk must have inspired Ipswich as they went for broke in the second period. The Addicks back line suddenly looked vulnerable under constant waves of pressure, culminating in the upending of Counago for a penalty.
Lee stepped up, but his poor penalty was saved by Weaver, the Ipswich man also slipping to miss the rebound with the goal gaping. Charlton had got lucky. This good fortune was extended 5 minutes later as Haynes could only head onto the bar from the impressive Counago's volley.
Charlton gradually clawed their way back into the game and put some pressure back on the Tractor Boys. Holland picked up a header from Iwelumo and fired a goalbound drive that Alexander turned onto the post.
More penalty controversy followed from the rebound as Ambrose drove back across goal to see his shot blocked by Wilnis. The referee initially blew for a penalty, but from the view in the North Stand you could clearly see the ball hit the player's chest. The linesman over-ruled and the game continued.
Ipswich finally got a goal back to set up a nailbiting final 20 minutes. Good work from Haynes caught out Powell, and was too quick for Zheng. His cross to the edge of the box left Mills dealing with 2 attackers, giving Counago the space in the box he needed for a classy back-heeled goal past Weaver.
Pardew attempted to shore things up by bringing Semedo on for Sam, and in the last 5 minutes Varney came on for Reid. Charlton held on for the victory, but it came at a cost.
Mills was unfortunate to pick up a yellow card as he was booked for running into the falling Walters, and Powell was taken off injured. As the nerves jangled up to the final whistle, Fortune lost it and lashed out at Lee. The referee had no choice but to send him off.
On the face of it it's a fantastic win – Ipswich's excellent home record makes them clear promotion contenders. However, we have now lost 3 and possibly 4 key personnel for next week's trip to West Brom.
Mill's card means he's suspended, Fortune will be out for the next 3 games, Sam was already suspended for that match, and Powell's injury and lack of fitness could keep him out as well. I wrote last week about the importance of the defence in this campaign, and with Basey still injured we look in real trouble at the back.
Still, an important result for all at The Valley, which keeps us 3rd but only 2 points off the top.
No comments:
Post a Comment