Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Carlisle United v Charlton Athletic (14/04/2012)

Carlisle United 0 Charlton 1 (Wright-Phillips 76).

Kevin Nolan reports from Brunton Park.

For the third time in living memory – at least the living memory of supporters of a certain vintage – Charlton clinched promotion at distant Brunton Park, home of Carlisle United. To the celebrations of 1981 and 1986 can now be added the wild jubilation which saluted the end of four agonising added minutes. A short pause to confirm that Sheffield Wednesday had indeed been held to a draw by Colchester United preceded joy unconfined. They’re used to playing second fiddle to it in these parts.

A single, 76th minute goal bundled in by Bradley Wright-Phillips added the crucial touch to a performance which fell far short of perfection but had just enough about it to edge them past play-off hopefuls Carlisle. And, frankly, after 43 exhausting tests of spirit and stamina, not one of their 903 ecstatic followers wasted breath in pining for quality. This magnificently defiant side was entitled to their thanks, gratitude and wholehearted commitment. The feeling was entirely mutual.

Wright-Phillips’ historic goal was simplicity itself and came as no surprise that it was scored from one of the setpieces which have proved so productive for the Addicks this season. Practice makes perfect and the left wing corner swung out by Johnnie Jackson was headed goalward by Yann Kermorgant but saved athletically by keeper Adam Collin. Trotting over to the right flank, where earlier he had been clearly irritated that Dale Stephens had been assigned flagkick duties, the skipper’s inswinging delivery was deliberately nodded back from the far post by Stephens, before being forced past Collin at close range by the predatory Wright-Phillips.

Pragmatic and ruthless, this solid display of teamwork nutshelled the the all-for-one, one-for all virtues of a truly remarkable outfit. Inevitable injuries and suspensions have been covered with seamless effiicency, no better example of which has been the outstanding contribution of Bradly Pritchard, as deputy for banned midfield workaholic Danny Hollands.

Busy, skilful, competitive, Pritchard didn’t put a foot wrong at the heart of Charlton’s engine room. Not a player to instantly catch the eye, his selfless, all-round effort, however, wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by a watchful management team. He set impossible standards for tackles successfully made, passes alertly intercepted and passes of his own accurately completed. His decision making was spot on and having secured a virtual unknown from Hayes & Yeading and watched him rapidly develop into an accomplished professional, Chris Powell positively purred with pleasure.

Pritchard’s excellence was hardly isolated. There isn’t room in this Charlton side for any player not prepared to do his bit for the cause. Unbeaten from open play in some 630 minutes since March 10th, underrated Ben Hamer continued his steady improvement while, in front of him, League One’s best back four registered their 20th clean sheet of a parsimonious season. A fluid midfield, which has weighed in with its fair share of goals, ensured a steady supply line from back to front, while three separate strikers have scored in three consecutive 1-0 wins.

It wouldn’t be Charlton, of course, if they didn’t subject their fervent fans here and huddled over their wirelesses back home, to almost ritual torture. Their failure to score until only a quarter hour from the end left them vulnerable to a mistake or unexpected moment of brilliance from their hosts. Their goals have dried up recently but they remain capable of ekeing out one when they need it most. But this promotion-clinching victory was based on the usual rock-solid, no-nonsense defending.

Unlucky to lose their top scorer Lee Miller last week, United had their moments, none more threatening than the subtle 18-yard shot curled past a transfixed Hamer by Lee Noble, which rebounded off a post in the 56th minute. Their escape concentrated the Addicks’ minds wonderfully and United were barely allowed a sniff of a further chance as the league leaders proceeded to dominate the second half. Jordan Cook did turn in the penalty area to fire over the bar but the home side’s threat gradually faded.

Put through by Kermorgant’s defence-splitting pass, after Pritchard’s ball-winning intervention, Wright-Phillips should have put the visitors in front but shot against the advancing Collin’s legs. Biding his time, though, the prolific sharpshooter wasn’t kept waiting long for the chance which he converted gleefully before heading over to the corner where his exuberant public awaited him. Kermorgant might have eliminated any late nerves when he stepped inside on to Stephens’ pass but saw his cleverly curled effort brilliantly saved by Collin. One goal proved enough, however, as it has done on eight occasions in 2011-12.

Wright-Phillips’ strike, meanwhile, meant that the most important item on Charlton’s agenda had been dealt with but until they deliver the League title, their race has not been run. England might not expect but many thousands of success-hungry acolytes certainly do. We will re-convene next Saturday in hope, not to mention expectation. Until, then, rejoice.

Carlisle: Collin, Simek, Livesey, Michalik, Murphy, Taiwo (Beck 82), Noble, McGovern (Welsh 82), Berrett, Cook (Madden 74), Zoko. Not used: Robson, Thirlwell.

Referee: D. Webb. Attendance: 6,625.