Saturday 4 March 2017

Down the Football League We Go

Charlton are 16th in League One, although still six points off the relegation places, after losing 2-1 at Northampton today. At half time it was 1-1.

A goal from Jordan Botaka was not enough for the Addicks as they lost to the Cobblers. Charlton made three changes to the team as boss Karl Robinson looked to find a winning formula. Lewis Page, Patrick Bauer and Frederik Ulvestad were all drafted back in to the side and they take the place of Jorge Teixeira, Johnnie Jackson and Joe Aribo.

Charlton came under pressure early on but, backed by 1,424 vociferous fans they got a foothold and Jordan Botaka's run down the left, skipping past three challenges, was the promise of things to come.

A header from Michael Smith from a superb Aaron Phillips centre on 32 minutes gave the Cobblers the lead. But Charlton were level just three minutes later when a Holmes corner from the left saw Patrick Bauer force a save from Adam Smith, only for Botaka to volley in from close range. Holmes and Botaka both let fly from distance, their efforts missing the target.

It was a frenetic start to the second half, Northampton attacking with urgency after Botaka had smashed narrowly over after working some space. Then Lee Novak fired over as the Charlton fans rallied their team with some tremendous backing.

But in the 62nd minute Northampton took the lead for a second time. A cross from the right from Phillips on 62 minutes was only half headed out by Nathan Byrne at the back post and John-Joe O'Toole thumped in for 2-1. Charlton simply had no answer and couldn't come back with an equaliser, although they didn't do enough to deserve one.

The Addicks in Northampton showed their solidarity with those marching in Belgium with a chant of 'We want Roland out.'

Shell shocked supremo Karl Robinson took the blame for the results, saying 'we are in a fragile place.' He added, 'It's been a long season.' Yes, it has been for every club, but particularly for Charlton's long suffering fans: Taking the blame

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