Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Portsmouth v Charlton (31/01/2022)

Portsmouth 1 (Jacobs 79) Charlton 2 (Washington 31, Robertson o.g. 64).

As the scorer of Charlton’s important first goal, Conor Washington was an obvious choice, alongside Sky TV’s MOTM Corey Blackett-Taylor, to be interviewed shortly after the final whistle. The Northern Ireland international commented eloquently on the Addicks’ performance, expressed a striker’s satisfaction that his first half goal showcased his predatory instincts rather than spectacular skill, then slipped in the time-honoured admission that Portsmouth was “always a tough place to come.”

Not when the visitors are Charlton it isn’t, Conor. This timely victory, marred only by their descent into blind panic after Pompey reduced their arrears with 11 minutes to play, was their sixth consecutive success at this battered, iconic ground. “Can we play you every week?” carolled over 1,000 jubilant travelling fans, omitting the word “here” to make their point more precisely. If “horses for courses” can be applied to football, then Charlton’s record at Fratton Park makes it clear they relish the going on the turf of their oldest adversaries. It’s not quite the same back at The Valley, where Portsmouth provide sterner opposition.

Danny Cowley’s men made a bright start in their latest effort to buck the trend. As early as the 3rd minute, Sean Raggett’s precise pass sent Denver Hume through on the left to shoot low past Craig McGillivray but also, by inches, the far post. As the Addicks struggled to gain a foothold, George Hirst was but a toecap away from converting Joe Morrell’s defence-splitting pass across the six-yard box. In reply, Blackett-Taylor embarked on a lightning-quick solo run from deep inside his own half, cut through the home defence but sent a venomous drive swerving just off target. Young B-T was a pain in Pompey’s rear end but versatile Sean Clare collared the Nolan nod as Charlton’s best player, with workaholic George Dobson trailing by little more than a short head.

Two minutes after Blackett-Taylor’s sensational cameo, the increasingly dominant visitors took the lead under admittedly controversial circumstances. Adam Matthews’ heads-up throw was returned to him by Clare, making space for the right back to cross accurately from the right touchline. Chuks Aneke’s stooping header was brilliantly saved by Gavin Bazunu but stabbed in by Washington, who poached his 8th goal of an injury-punctuated season. Clearly a yard offside, Aneke failed to own up, the lino’s flag stayed down and the goal stood. As lucky breaks go, this was among the most opportune.

Charlton were running the show by then and playing some crisp football in the process. Before the interval, Alex Gilbey broke through but fired an angled thunderbolt against the near post. Catching the mood, Albie Morgan continued his recent improvement by driving narrowly wide, then snap-shooting another effort inches over the bar.

The South Coasters weren’t entirely subdued and only Hirst will know how he failed to convert Joe Morrell’s devastating delivery as it passed through a congested six-yard box. And it took a perfectly timed tackle by Ryan Inniss to halt Hirst in his tracks as he surged dangerously into the penalty area. Inniss’ 70th minute withdrawal was hardly tactical and the more likely explanation is one of those “niggles” that Charlton players pick up from time to time. When fit, Inniss is rock solid.

Midway through the second session, the Addicks grabbed the second goal which later developments proved to be priceless. Once again, they enjoyed a slice of luck along the way but the build-up play was incisive. Matthews shrewdly delayed the pass which sent an overlapping Clare hustling to the right byline; the wingback’s dipping cross was intercepted by Pompey skipper Clark Robertson, whose diving header, under pressure from Washington, beat Bazunu on its journey into his own net. Job done and dusted, or so it seemed.

Two up with 25 minutes remaining, Charlton’s priority turned to game management, a euphemism for sitting on a lead, wasting as much time as possible and squeezing the life out of the opposition. Not for the first time, the Addicks were found wanting in conducting this game within a game. Clearances became hurried and badly directed, possession was regularly surrendered, decisions were hastily made and promptly regretted. Frankly, Johnnie Jackson’s men descended into near-chaos and it was no surprise that they reached crisis point when their hosts halved their deficit eleven minutes before the end. Substitute Michael Jacobs bullied his way through to shoot viciously from seven yards and though McGillivray managed a straight-arm parry, the badly exposed keeper was unable to prevent the ball spinning over the line. From a position of virtual impregnability, Charlton were reduced to nerve-riddled, disorganised survivors, whose sole ambition was to hear referee Neil Hair’s final whistle.

It was all a little undignified near the end but Charlton hung on to make it six in a row, not to mention nine out of their last ten visits to this most hospitable of venues. The ominous spectre of relegation was routed to make way for touching but unrealistic hopes of making it into the top six. A more reasonable ambition would be to consolidate for next season which is, after all, only six months distant. Then less heavy metal, more stealth and no talk of “being where we belong.” We’re already where we belong right now and no amount of hot air is going to change that. We’re not a bad side – trick is to take it to the next level. And then that becomes where we belong. Capiche?

Portsmouth: Bazunu, Carter (Jacobs 79), Raggett, Robertson, Romeo, Morell, Williams (Thompson 71), Hume, Harness, Walker (Curtis 71),
Hirst. Not used: Webber, Freeman, Ogilvie, Hackett. Booked: Morrell.

Referee: Neil Hair. Att: 15,236 (1,230 visiting).