Charlton 3 (Jackson 25, Dervite 60, Kermorgant 63,pen) Bolton 2 (Sordell 4, Kamara 20).
Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.
Two down to promotion hopefuls after 20 minutes, a re-vamped defensive unit all at sea, demoralising defeat by an initially superior side on the cards. The scenario was familiar but so was the solution.
Back in early November, Charlton had found themselves in similarly depressing circumstances against league leaders Cardiff City. On that riotous occasion, they had turned to what they call these days their go-to guy and were not disappointed. Before half-time, Johnnie Jackson had scored twice, the visitors were shellshocked and a memorable come-from-behind victory was on its way. No need to mention the added time wobble that reduced the home crowd to quivering apprehension. It all turned out fine anyway.
Five months on, the Addicks were up against it again as rampant Bolton tore them to pieces with an early assault, missing two clearcut chances before Marvin Sordell gave them a 4th minute lead. Chris Powell’s bold plan to use Andy Hughes’ defensive know-how in front of a back four, where Dorian Dervite was deputising for Matt Taylor, was in tatters; the crowd threatened briefly to mutiny as Medo Kamara doubled Wanderers’ advantage; the Valley hoodoo seemed certain to continue. Well, cometh the hour, cometh the bloke. The right bloke in Jackson at precisely the right hour.
To those who believe that football is all about blistering pace, Charlton’s cool skipper leaves a bit to be desired. Not the fastest creature on two legs, though hardly as slow as made out by his few detractors, he uses something you just can’t rent or buy in compensation. It’s called a football brain and it helps its owner to anticipate the ebb and flow of play. It’s no accident that Jackson has “popped up” nine times this season with important goals. Just when Charlton needed him most, he did it again on Saturday.
Fastening on to a short pass from bright-as-a-button Callum Harriott, he outflanked a massed defence with a right-to-left lateral run across the penalty area. The far right corner was always his left-footed target, one he found with unerring accuracy off the post. The effect was electric. Bolton were no longer as cocksure, the Addicks were galvanised, their crowd sensed the dramatic change of mood. Jackson was unable to repeat his two-goal feat before the break but his goal proved a game changer. What would Powell do without him? The question is, of course, rhetorical.
Steady improvement spread rapidly through the team. Consummate pro Hughes settled down admirably while Dervite showed yet again the versatility that has bailed Charlton out on many occasions this season. The brawny Frenchman was to feature at the other end early in the second period. More of that soon.
Shocked by Jackson’s unexpected reply, meanwhile, Bolton began to implode. Their progress towards anarchy began with the booking meted out to right back Sam Ricketts for a wild challenge on Harriott, the consequences of which came home to roost shortly after the break. Possibly a slow learner, Ricketts launched another high “tackle” on Ricardo Fuller and was given inevitable marching orders by referee Trevor Kettle. His punishment further fitted his crime as Yann Kermorgant struck the left post with a clever free kick, leaving Dervite to efficiently slot the rebound past Andy Lonergan.
It was the Trotters’ turn to struggle and while they were down, the Addicks ruthlessly kicked them again. Fuller was proving an elusive handful, his darting surge into the penalty area luring Darren Pratley into an ill-timed sliding tackle from behind. Having waited patiently while the almost berserk visitors did everything they knew to distract him, Kermorgant shut them up by calmly converting the stonewall spotkick. Now, presumably, we’ve heard the last of his infamous play-off miss while with Leicester. Not before time, either.
Still in with a chance,10-man Bolton were at pains to squander it. Their 69th minute substitute Craig Davies rose to the occasion with back-to back bookings for crude fouls on Michael Morrison and Rhoys Wiggins, while the clothesline attack on Chris Solly by Craig Dawson should have seen him beat Davies to the showers.
Speaking of Davies, the scene was ideally set for old warhorse Kevin to apply his wrecking ball impact to his side’s plight but, sensibly perhaps, manager Dougie Freedman kept him on the bench. Kev might have quite enjoyed the chaos which greeted the final whistle, with an enraged posse of his colleagues, led by incandescent captain Zat Knight, surrounding Mr. Kettle to presumably place their orders with him. Milk and two sugars, please, ref. No hurry but if you’re brewing up…
Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.
Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Dervite, Morrison, Wiggins, Pritchard, Hughes (Gower 72), Jackson, Harriott (Wilson 86), Kermorgant, Fuller (Haynes 86). Not used: Button, Green, Obika, Feely. Booked: Hughes, Solly, Kermorgant.
Bolton: Lonergan, Ricketts, Knight, Dawson, Alonso, Kamara, Spearing, Pratley (Odelusi 82), Chung-Yong Lee (Craig Davies 69), Ngog, Sordell (Butterfield 59), Not used: Bogdan, Eagles, Kevin Davies, Wheater.
Referee: Trevor Kettle. Att: 17,322.
Nothing better on a Sunday after a home win than a quality match report from Kevin Nolan, the description of Rickets as a slow learner was both accurate and hilarious…..