Dismal display ends in defeat

Charlton's unbeaten run ended with a deserved 3-0 defeat at Swindon today.

The lack of depth in the squad was painfully apparent as Charlton faced Swindon Town in front of the Sky TV cameras at the County Ground today. In particular, there was a lack of width with no natural left-sided player. At least pre-match humour was provided by the trousers of Swindon’s dancing Rocking Robin falling down and Ajose having a quarrel with the corner flag.

Solly made a good block to get in the way of Kasim’s volley. On seven minutes Doughty just headed over for Swindon from a cross. Charlton had difficulty getting possession with a lack of movement from the central midfield.

Novak won a free kick for Charlton. Jackson swung it in and Fox came close. After good defending by Bauer, Ulvestad turned provider for Ajose who put in a good low cross, but the keeper got there first.

Swindon won a couple of corners in succession, but Charlton were able to clear from the second. Ajose won Charlton a corner, creating something out of nothing. Jackson took the corner, but the referee blew for a foul in the box.

Ajose won a corner for Charlton, but although the Addicks created some pressure. It was ultimately unproductive. Rudd have to make a low save from Murray just after thirty minutes. Fox played it safe to head out for a Swindon corner. The referee blew up for a Charlton free kick.

Norris drew a save from Rudd and Bauer had to clear the ball away. Fox put in a good cross but Novak headed just over the bar.

Thomas got a yellow card after a late challenge on Foley. Jackson delivered the free kick and Bauer’s header was put behind for a corner. This led to another corner after Bauer won the header. It was cleared and Ulvestad fired well wide to boost the shot off target statistics.

A shot from Murray took a deflection off Fox to put Swindon ahead on 43 minutes. ‘Glad All Over’ rang out.

Ajose won a late corner, but Bauer put it over the bar.

It had been a woeful half from Charlton. Any viewer who switched on by mistake would have thought they were watching one of those slow television programmes. 504 Addicks were enduring the game in person.

HT: Robins 1, Addicks 0

Brandon Hanlan replaced Foley after the break. Swindon won an early corner, but it was cleared. Bauer put a cross behind for a Swindon corner. Jones was unmarked at the back post, the ball was flicked to him by Goddard, and Jones made it 2-0. It was a case of not doing the basics with poor defending by Pearce.

Novak won Charlton a corner, but it was headed clear. Crofts operating just in front of the back four was not working. Charlton were losing the ball in midfield and Swindon then attacked in numbers. Charlton were being forced into mistakes because they had no outlet other than kicking it long.

Novak chipped the ball to the far post, but Hanlan had his shirt pulled as he went for the header. It should have been a penalty. The unmarked Morris missed a chance to make it three after he failed to take advantage of a cross.

Novak’s cross was put behind for a corner. It led to a second which came to nothing.

Rudd made a good save from Kasim. Pearce blocked the rebound. Jackson was booked for a four on Furlong. Goddard got away with deliberately taking Solly out.

Good play between Novak and Solly won a corner for Charlton, but it was collected by the keeper. Jackson was replaced by Chicksen.

Kasim was allowed to run to the edge of the Charlton penalty area, the ball run to Goddard who slammed it into the back of the net to make it 3-0. Charlton fans chanted, ‘Just sell our club, our famous football club.’

Apart from their obsession with Tim Sherwood, Sky were repeating a PR line: Katrien has met with 34 supporters’ groups, bridges can be built, Roland has spent £38m etc.