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As we exited Charlton train station after a short twenty minute train ride, that 'footballing buzz' overcame me. Red scarves were everywhere and the only Clarets we saw on the way to the Ground were the ones outside the chip shop. Anyway, we entered the ground only to find that we had seats on the front row. You can't see anything from the front row but, for once, the stewards were very friendly and told us that we could sit anywhere in the last two blocks. RESULT.
The pre-match entertainment had a twist to the usual loud, ear-bashing, awful pop music. Instead, it was loud, ear-bashing, awful South American carnival music. One song would have been enough but they played for more than half an hour and all me and my dad wanted to do was to watch the entertaining North-East derby that was being shown on the big screen. They finally stopped playing but were replaced by an even louder P.A. system.
The teams were read out and the Clarets were unchanged once again. Charlton, on the other hand, made four changes from the team that lost to Bristol City during midweek. Captain, Mark Hudson, returned to the team after suspension, Josh Wright was given a first start and Andy Gray was omitted from the squad of sixteen due to a family illness. The usual 'daunting' music came on as the players came out. Then, same as last year, 'Red Robins' came on. This has to be one of the cheesiest and most embarrassing club songs ever. The other contender is the one they played at half time.
The match kicked off with the Clarets on the front foot. Within two minutes, Joey Gudjonsson volleyed from a tight angle with such venom that Nicky Weaver could only parry it and it fell to a Charlton defender who hooked it clear. The match continued for four or five minutes with the Clarets firmly on top. Then, on eight minutes, came the match's first moment of controversy.
A long ball from Charlton was headed back by Steven Caldwell. Steven Thompson and Moutaouakil went up for the aerial challenge. On this rare occasion, it looked as if Thompson lost the aerial battle and instead the Charlton right-back flicked the ball on, towards his own net. Meanwhile, Martin Paterson, who had charged down Nicky Weaver's clearance, was returning from an offside position. He seemed to run towards the ball but the linesman's flag went up. Paterson left the ball and continued back to an onside position only to see the referee, Rob Shoebridge, wave play on. Paterson swiftly changed direction and took the ball forward, cutting inside and slotting the ball home. 1-0 to the Clarets but was it? As expected, the home side argued the decision, forcing Mr. Shoebridge into consulting the linesman and disallowing the goal. The replays that I have seen have seemed to show me that it was in fact, Yassin Moutaouakil who had got his head to the ball and therefore, the goal should have stood. Anyway, the game continued with a free kick taken twenty-five yards from where any of the action took place.
The Clarets remained on top and in good voice whilst the Addicks looked to be down and out and were soon to be 1-0 down. A Wade Elliott corner was only partially cleared and fell to Joey Gudjonsson who swished his left foot at it. The shot seemed to be going wide until it took a deflection and nestled in the bottom corner. Steven Thompson was credited with his first Burnley goal since arriving from Cardiff at the end of the summer transfer window.
The match seemed to settle down for a bit after that but Burnley were still the stronger side. Luke Varney shot high and wide from range while Grant Basey hit a free kick into the wall that deflected for a corner. A little later, Steven Thompson, who had been brilliant in the air all day, beat the dodgy Moutaouakil and hit a ball across the area but Linvoy Primus cut it out and cleared for a Clarets corner.
Wade Elliott corner came in and dropped to Chris McCann whose shot was deflected high and wide. A few minutes later, Graham Alexander robbed Moutaouakil and burst towards the Charlton goal with two Burnley players in support. He passed to Wade Elliott who beat his marker and put in a lovely, low cross towards the back post but no-one could meet it. This was the first wasted chance on the break out of many to follow.
Elliot was again instrumental only a couple of minutes later as he broke clear of the defender and cut inside, only to see his shot hit Steven Thompson and trickle out for a corner. The half-time whistle went and the only thing that had me worried was that Charlton couldn't be THAT bad in the second half and had we wasted our chance?
There were two changes for the second half and these proved to be very important in the outcome of the match. Svetoslav Todorov and Lloyd Sam replaced Linvoy Primus and the ineffective Izale McLeod.
The Addicks started the second half on top and could have scored within two minutes from a Darren Ambrose header that was luckily directed straight at Brian Jensen. A minute later, the energetic and pacey Sam was through but was fractionally offside. Shortly after, a great volleyed pass from the young Josh Wright gave a crossing opportunity to Moutaouakil. His long cross was retrieved by Darren Ambrose who gave Luke Varney the perfect opportunity to score but his header was directed straight at 'The Beast'. A Charlton goal was coming and we needed to weather the storm.
Steven Caldwell went off within a couple of minutes and was replaced by Stephen Jordan. Wade Elliott received the ball on the halfway line and ran towards the worried Charlton left back. He tricked his way past two men and cut inside before he was scythed down on the edge of the area.
Chris Eagles came on for Martin Paterson after sixty minutes as Charlton really had the upper hand. However, Burnley did have some chances on the counter attack. Gudjonsson looked to have handled but the ref waved play on once more and he was bundled over. Chris McCann, who had been absent throughout the game, broke through the porous Charlton defence but dragged his shot wide.
At the other end, Jensen was kept busy but never once came out to catch one of the many crosses that had been entering the six-yard box. This indecisiveness was costly on seventy-six minutes as Basey crossed for the loosely marked Todorov to head home. It was 1-1 and Charlton looked the more likely to score a winner. Robbie Blake had entered the action only two or three minutes before.
With five minutes left on the clock, Gudjonsson received the ball on the corner of the box and let go a smashing shot. The dip on it almost took it over the line but instead it hit the underside of the bar and bounced to a Charlton defender who nodded it out for a corner. In what was the last chance of the game, an awful back pass from the poor Stephen Jordan let Luke Varney run in one-on-one. He rounded Brian Jensen and had the goal at his mercy but took another touch. Michael Duff rushed round and blocked the shot, putting it out for a corner. The final whistle went and the travelling Burnley fans stood up to applaud the players and the coaching staff.
I suppose that we have to be pleased with a point as I certainly would have been happy with one before kick off. However, after taking the lead and bossing the first half, it feels like a defeat. We even had numerous chances to clinch it in the second half. Charlton certainly stepped it up after half time, seeming to play for Pardew's job. What would have happened if Todorov and Sam had started?
The Valley is always a good place to travel to, especially if you live twenty minutes from it. The stewards are always helpful and didn't stop any of us from standing for the last half an hour. My only complaint would be the P.A. system that is just way too loud.
Now onto Tuesday night where we return to Turf Moor after consecutive away trips. Also, an unusual treat for me as not only do I get to see a home game but it's a night game as well. Night games always have a better atmosphere but if we can play anything like the last home, night match I saw (the 4-0 drubbing of Plymouth to end that barren run) then everyone will be happy. UTC!