Post by QPR Report on Mar 21, 2010 8:40:38 GMT
And 20,000 there to see it! 
Charlton Official Site
All square against Gills
Nothing separated Charlton and Gillingham for the second time this season after a topsy-turvy Valley derby ended in a 2-1 draw on Saturday.
Frazer Richardson's first goal for the club put the hosts in front with 32 minutes on the clock, but the Gills hit back immediately as Andy Barcham fired home a screamer.
Charlton's top scorer Deon Burton then hit the crossbar before leaving the action shortly before the break with a knee injury, and Gillingham took the lead in stoppage time as Dennis Oli slid home from close range.
The Addicks, whose keeper Rob Elliot was unable to continue in the second half through injury, levelled matters on the hour when David Mooney span and fired home.
Try as they might, the Addicks couldn't find a winner, though, and it was the visitors who were celebrating a precious point in their battle for survival at the end.
It was another disappointing result in SE7 in a first home meeting against the Gills for almost 29 years.
Yet it had all been going to plan as Richardson fired his side in front from 20 yards just past the half hour mark, celebrating his first goal since scoring for previous club Leeds United against Northampton Town in January 2008.
His strike may have taken a slight deflection on its way in but it mattered not a jot as the Addicks, who had hit the bar through Sam Sodje moments earlier, celebrated.
But joy quickly turned to despair as the visitors levelled almost straight from the kick-off.
As the ball bounced up in midfield Barcham seized possession and advanced into space before sending a terrific shot whistling past Elliot and into the top corner.
There was nothing the keeper could do about the shot - although the space afforded to Barcham will leave Parkinson far from happy - but Charlton almost hit back themselves as Burton's header was expertly tipped onto the bar by Alan Julian.
Elliot was then beaten for a second time on the stroke of half-time as the ball pin-balled around the box and cannoned back off him to Oli, who couldn't miss from close range.
Charlton returned to the field with Darren Randolph between the posts in the second half and it was the hosts who asked all of the attacking questions.
Bailey's header was tipped over by Julian and then Sam sent Mooney clean though only for the keeper to make another fine save.
Irishman Mooney would not be denied for long, however, and grabbed the equaliser on the hour as he controlled a low Therry Racon cross and spun sharply before firing past Julian.
It was a terrific goal and set up the closing half hour nicely and Burton's replacement Akpo Sodje head a header tipped round the post by Julian while Randolph made a good close range stop from Oli.
Generally though it was all Charlton, but they just lacked that cutting edge when it really mattered and there were several nearly moments rather then gilt-edged openings.
And so the Gills held on, and celebrated gleefully at the death as their own battled for safety continued in earnest.
For a few days at least the gap on second placed Leeds United is four points on a day when, frustratingly, the sides around them all dropped points. All eyes will now be on events at Elland Road on Monday as they host Millwall.
In terms of team news Charlton made four changes for Saturday's much anticipated Valley derby against Gillingham.
There was a debut at left-back for loanee Gary Borrowdale, having arrived for 28 days from Queens Park Rangers, and he gave his side a left-footed option in replacing Chris Solly.
In the centre of defence Sam Sodje replaced Miguel Llera while Lloyd Sam was back on the right hand side of midfield in place of Kyel Reid.
Top-scorer Burton also came in up front for Akpo Sodje as the Addicks played host to Gillingham for the first time in a competitive clash since May 1981
The home players wore black armbands this afternoon in memory of former defender Bob Curtis, who made 372 appearances for the club but sadly passed away on Friday night.
Charlton, of course, were striving to put last week's misery against Millwall behind them, having slumped to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Lions in their last outing.
Boss Parkinson reacted by making wholesale changes in SE7 in a bid to cut the gap on second placed Leeds.
After the injury to Johnnie Jackson last time out at The Valley against Stockport County, Parkinson recruited his loan Ranger Borrowdale from across the capital and he went straight into the side.
Sam Sodje also made his first start since the defeat at Bristol Rovers on February 15th, and linked up with Christian Dailly in the centre of defence with Richardson on the right.
Elliot continued in goal while Sam, dropped to the bench at The New Den last week, was back on the right with Reid, hampered by a hamstring problem in the build-up to the game, waiting in reserve.
Skipper Nicky Bailey continued on the left hand side with Racon and Jose Semedo in the middle of the park, while Burton made his first start for three games alongside Mooney.
Reid, Akpo Sodje, Llera and Solly were joined in reserve by Randolph, Scott Wagstaff and Jonjo Shelvey.
There was a blow for the Gills, who had not won away from home this season ahead of kick-off, with the news that their top-scorer and talisman Simeon Jackson was only named on the bench.
After coming off in last week's 0-0 draw at Stockport with a hamstring injury, he was not risked from the start so Oli deputised.
John Nutter, who netted a spectacular own goal when the sides last met at the krbs Priestfield Stadium in October, was at left-back for the visitors, who were spearheaded up front by Rene Howe.
There was a strong Addicks presence on the Gills bench with manager Mark Stimson a former youth coach at Sparrows Lane and coach Mark Robson a former U18, reserve and development coach at the club.
Former keeper Simon Royce and former Charlton youth product James Walker were playing options in reserve.
Stuart Lewis got in a good defensive header to foil Bailey as the skipper closed in on a teasing Sam centre from the right, and from the resulting corner Charlton had loud penalty claims turned down after the ball appeared to strike the upper torso of Nutter.
In the aftermath a heavy touch from Richardson allowed the Gills backline to close ranks and the ball eventually spun out to Racon who volleyed over.
Having needlessly conceded a corner moments earlier after a communication breakdown with Elliot, Sam Sodje misread a long ball forward on 13 minutes allowing the leggy Oli to sprint in on goal.
Luckily his central defensive partner Dailly got across well to make a perfectly-timed sliding challenge at the expense of a corner.
Howe headed that flag-kick wide amid a packed goalmouth while Richardson was wildly off target at the other end.
The right-back angled ball was headed down by Racon on 17 minutes and Mooney had a sight of goal. But Garry Richards got across well to make a lunging save in the box and Gillingham cleared the danger.
Borrowdale stuck out a leg to divert a Howe centre to safety and it was the newcomer's corner midway through the half that was touched on by Bailey with Burton hooking wide on the stretch at the far post.
Oli was booked for hand-ball after collecting a clipped pass from Miller and moving away on goal, and a minute shy of the half hour mark Burton's nudge freed Mooney and he muscled away from two defenders before Sam took over and had a shot from a narrow angle tipped away by Julian.
From the resulting Richardson corner Sam Sodje thundered a header against the bar and Oli was fouled in the follow-up as the hosts hunted the loose ball.
Charlton had to wait just two minutes before taking the lead, however, as a throw from Borrowdale was half-cleared and Richardson took aim with a low shot from around 20 yards that might have taken a slight deflection before beating Julian and nestling in the back of the net.
As the Gills prepared to restart Bailey and Adam Miller were lectured by Taylor after an exchange of opinions as the hosts celebrated.
But Charlton's faithful scarcely had the chance to goad their rivals before Gillingham struck back straight away.
It was quite a goal too as Barcham collected possession in space in midfield and advanced a few strides before crashing a terrific drive past Elliot and into the top right corner.
It was a hammer blow for the hosts while Curtis Weston was brought back down to earth for Gillingham when yellow-carded for ploughing down Borrowdale.
In his attempts to put the card back in his pocket, Taylor dropped it on the field to much hilarity among the fans.
Charlton then went agonisingly close to restoring their lead six minutes before the break.
Sam did well on the right and his fine cross found Burton and the striker's header, under pressure in a packed box, was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Julian.
It would prove a match-turning moment for Burton, who fell awkwardly moments later and left the field to be replaced by Akpo Sodje.
Akpo's older brother Sam stuck out a leg to thwart Weston after the midfielder had outwitted Richardson but then stumbled when well placed.
It was a left-off for the hosts but the jeers rung out at the break after Gillingham nicked the lead three minutes into stoppage time.
Oli was the goalscorer for the visitors stabbing the ball home from close range but it came after a crazy spell of pinball in the box.
After Dailly was turned by Howe in the box the ball was deflected against Elliot and the keeper could do little as Oli followed up to score.
There was a change at the break as Randolph replaced an injured Elliot and after Sam Sodje weaved his way along the box five minutes in, Bailey pulled a shot well wide.
The Addicks went much closer on 52 minutes as Sam threaded a glorious ball through the blue backline for Mooney.
The striker was clean through on goal but Julian spread himself well to make a superb sprawling save.
After ref Taylor had inadvertently taken out Miller in midfield Semedo strode forward and shot wide, and Julian got back to flip a looping header from Bailey over the bar.
Cometh the hour, though, cometh the Mooney.
The Irishman had been given a hard time from the terraces, but reacted in fine fashion, controlling a low cross from Racon and then spinning before rifling a shot into the roof of the net.
Akpo Sodje had an injection in his backside before firing in a low shot that was claimed at the second attempt by Julian after some good link-up play with Mooney.
The striker's header from a Bailey cross was then palmed round the post by Julian as Jackson warmed up for the visitors.
The striker replaced Weston on 73 minutes while Borrowdale ploughed forward into Gills territory moments later only to shoot tamely off target.
Randolph passed his first serious test 12 minutes from time, reacting well to foil Oli from close range as the striker slid in to meet a header across the box.
Racon made way for Reid moments later, and after Barcham was penalised for a hand-ball right outside the box, the newcomer curled a free-kick just over.
Walker replaced Howe on 82 minutes as Charlton continued to press, and the hard-running Oli made way for Mark Bentley in the last minute.
The hosts continued to knock at the door in the closing stages but Gillingham remained resolute at the back to hold firm for a point.
Charlton: Elliot (Randolph 46), Richardson, Borrowdale, S Sodje, Dailly; Sam, Semedo, Racon (Reid 79) Bailey; Mooney, Burton (A Sodje 43).
Subs (not used): Solly, Llera, Wagstaff, Shelvey.
Goal: Richardson 32, Mooney 60
Gillingham: Julian; Lewis, Nutter, Dennehy, Richards; Miller, Jackman, Weston (Jackson 73), Barcham; Oli, Howe (Walker 82).
Subs (not used): Royce, Payne, Bentley, Maher, Palmer.
Goals: Barcham 33, Oli 45
Booked: Oli 27 (hand-ball), Weston 35 (foul on Borrowdale)
Ref: P Taylor
Att: 20,024
www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=35820
Charlton Official Site
All square against Gills
Nothing separated Charlton and Gillingham for the second time this season after a topsy-turvy Valley derby ended in a 2-1 draw on Saturday.
Frazer Richardson's first goal for the club put the hosts in front with 32 minutes on the clock, but the Gills hit back immediately as Andy Barcham fired home a screamer.
Charlton's top scorer Deon Burton then hit the crossbar before leaving the action shortly before the break with a knee injury, and Gillingham took the lead in stoppage time as Dennis Oli slid home from close range.
The Addicks, whose keeper Rob Elliot was unable to continue in the second half through injury, levelled matters on the hour when David Mooney span and fired home.
Try as they might, the Addicks couldn't find a winner, though, and it was the visitors who were celebrating a precious point in their battle for survival at the end.
It was another disappointing result in SE7 in a first home meeting against the Gills for almost 29 years.
Yet it had all been going to plan as Richardson fired his side in front from 20 yards just past the half hour mark, celebrating his first goal since scoring for previous club Leeds United against Northampton Town in January 2008.
His strike may have taken a slight deflection on its way in but it mattered not a jot as the Addicks, who had hit the bar through Sam Sodje moments earlier, celebrated.
But joy quickly turned to despair as the visitors levelled almost straight from the kick-off.
As the ball bounced up in midfield Barcham seized possession and advanced into space before sending a terrific shot whistling past Elliot and into the top corner.
There was nothing the keeper could do about the shot - although the space afforded to Barcham will leave Parkinson far from happy - but Charlton almost hit back themselves as Burton's header was expertly tipped onto the bar by Alan Julian.
Elliot was then beaten for a second time on the stroke of half-time as the ball pin-balled around the box and cannoned back off him to Oli, who couldn't miss from close range.
Charlton returned to the field with Darren Randolph between the posts in the second half and it was the hosts who asked all of the attacking questions.
Bailey's header was tipped over by Julian and then Sam sent Mooney clean though only for the keeper to make another fine save.
Irishman Mooney would not be denied for long, however, and grabbed the equaliser on the hour as he controlled a low Therry Racon cross and spun sharply before firing past Julian.
It was a terrific goal and set up the closing half hour nicely and Burton's replacement Akpo Sodje head a header tipped round the post by Julian while Randolph made a good close range stop from Oli.
Generally though it was all Charlton, but they just lacked that cutting edge when it really mattered and there were several nearly moments rather then gilt-edged openings.
And so the Gills held on, and celebrated gleefully at the death as their own battled for safety continued in earnest.
For a few days at least the gap on second placed Leeds United is four points on a day when, frustratingly, the sides around them all dropped points. All eyes will now be on events at Elland Road on Monday as they host Millwall.
In terms of team news Charlton made four changes for Saturday's much anticipated Valley derby against Gillingham.
There was a debut at left-back for loanee Gary Borrowdale, having arrived for 28 days from Queens Park Rangers, and he gave his side a left-footed option in replacing Chris Solly.
In the centre of defence Sam Sodje replaced Miguel Llera while Lloyd Sam was back on the right hand side of midfield in place of Kyel Reid.
Top-scorer Burton also came in up front for Akpo Sodje as the Addicks played host to Gillingham for the first time in a competitive clash since May 1981
The home players wore black armbands this afternoon in memory of former defender Bob Curtis, who made 372 appearances for the club but sadly passed away on Friday night.
Charlton, of course, were striving to put last week's misery against Millwall behind them, having slumped to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Lions in their last outing.
Boss Parkinson reacted by making wholesale changes in SE7 in a bid to cut the gap on second placed Leeds.
After the injury to Johnnie Jackson last time out at The Valley against Stockport County, Parkinson recruited his loan Ranger Borrowdale from across the capital and he went straight into the side.
Sam Sodje also made his first start since the defeat at Bristol Rovers on February 15th, and linked up with Christian Dailly in the centre of defence with Richardson on the right.
Elliot continued in goal while Sam, dropped to the bench at The New Den last week, was back on the right with Reid, hampered by a hamstring problem in the build-up to the game, waiting in reserve.
Skipper Nicky Bailey continued on the left hand side with Racon and Jose Semedo in the middle of the park, while Burton made his first start for three games alongside Mooney.
Reid, Akpo Sodje, Llera and Solly were joined in reserve by Randolph, Scott Wagstaff and Jonjo Shelvey.
There was a blow for the Gills, who had not won away from home this season ahead of kick-off, with the news that their top-scorer and talisman Simeon Jackson was only named on the bench.
After coming off in last week's 0-0 draw at Stockport with a hamstring injury, he was not risked from the start so Oli deputised.
John Nutter, who netted a spectacular own goal when the sides last met at the krbs Priestfield Stadium in October, was at left-back for the visitors, who were spearheaded up front by Rene Howe.
There was a strong Addicks presence on the Gills bench with manager Mark Stimson a former youth coach at Sparrows Lane and coach Mark Robson a former U18, reserve and development coach at the club.
Former keeper Simon Royce and former Charlton youth product James Walker were playing options in reserve.
Stuart Lewis got in a good defensive header to foil Bailey as the skipper closed in on a teasing Sam centre from the right, and from the resulting corner Charlton had loud penalty claims turned down after the ball appeared to strike the upper torso of Nutter.
In the aftermath a heavy touch from Richardson allowed the Gills backline to close ranks and the ball eventually spun out to Racon who volleyed over.
Having needlessly conceded a corner moments earlier after a communication breakdown with Elliot, Sam Sodje misread a long ball forward on 13 minutes allowing the leggy Oli to sprint in on goal.
Luckily his central defensive partner Dailly got across well to make a perfectly-timed sliding challenge at the expense of a corner.
Howe headed that flag-kick wide amid a packed goalmouth while Richardson was wildly off target at the other end.
The right-back angled ball was headed down by Racon on 17 minutes and Mooney had a sight of goal. But Garry Richards got across well to make a lunging save in the box and Gillingham cleared the danger.
Borrowdale stuck out a leg to divert a Howe centre to safety and it was the newcomer's corner midway through the half that was touched on by Bailey with Burton hooking wide on the stretch at the far post.
Oli was booked for hand-ball after collecting a clipped pass from Miller and moving away on goal, and a minute shy of the half hour mark Burton's nudge freed Mooney and he muscled away from two defenders before Sam took over and had a shot from a narrow angle tipped away by Julian.
From the resulting Richardson corner Sam Sodje thundered a header against the bar and Oli was fouled in the follow-up as the hosts hunted the loose ball.
Charlton had to wait just two minutes before taking the lead, however, as a throw from Borrowdale was half-cleared and Richardson took aim with a low shot from around 20 yards that might have taken a slight deflection before beating Julian and nestling in the back of the net.
As the Gills prepared to restart Bailey and Adam Miller were lectured by Taylor after an exchange of opinions as the hosts celebrated.
But Charlton's faithful scarcely had the chance to goad their rivals before Gillingham struck back straight away.
It was quite a goal too as Barcham collected possession in space in midfield and advanced a few strides before crashing a terrific drive past Elliot and into the top right corner.
It was a hammer blow for the hosts while Curtis Weston was brought back down to earth for Gillingham when yellow-carded for ploughing down Borrowdale.
In his attempts to put the card back in his pocket, Taylor dropped it on the field to much hilarity among the fans.
Charlton then went agonisingly close to restoring their lead six minutes before the break.
Sam did well on the right and his fine cross found Burton and the striker's header, under pressure in a packed box, was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Julian.
It would prove a match-turning moment for Burton, who fell awkwardly moments later and left the field to be replaced by Akpo Sodje.
Akpo's older brother Sam stuck out a leg to thwart Weston after the midfielder had outwitted Richardson but then stumbled when well placed.
It was a left-off for the hosts but the jeers rung out at the break after Gillingham nicked the lead three minutes into stoppage time.
Oli was the goalscorer for the visitors stabbing the ball home from close range but it came after a crazy spell of pinball in the box.
After Dailly was turned by Howe in the box the ball was deflected against Elliot and the keeper could do little as Oli followed up to score.
There was a change at the break as Randolph replaced an injured Elliot and after Sam Sodje weaved his way along the box five minutes in, Bailey pulled a shot well wide.
The Addicks went much closer on 52 minutes as Sam threaded a glorious ball through the blue backline for Mooney.
The striker was clean through on goal but Julian spread himself well to make a superb sprawling save.
After ref Taylor had inadvertently taken out Miller in midfield Semedo strode forward and shot wide, and Julian got back to flip a looping header from Bailey over the bar.
Cometh the hour, though, cometh the Mooney.
The Irishman had been given a hard time from the terraces, but reacted in fine fashion, controlling a low cross from Racon and then spinning before rifling a shot into the roof of the net.
Akpo Sodje had an injection in his backside before firing in a low shot that was claimed at the second attempt by Julian after some good link-up play with Mooney.
The striker's header from a Bailey cross was then palmed round the post by Julian as Jackson warmed up for the visitors.
The striker replaced Weston on 73 minutes while Borrowdale ploughed forward into Gills territory moments later only to shoot tamely off target.
Randolph passed his first serious test 12 minutes from time, reacting well to foil Oli from close range as the striker slid in to meet a header across the box.
Racon made way for Reid moments later, and after Barcham was penalised for a hand-ball right outside the box, the newcomer curled a free-kick just over.
Walker replaced Howe on 82 minutes as Charlton continued to press, and the hard-running Oli made way for Mark Bentley in the last minute.
The hosts continued to knock at the door in the closing stages but Gillingham remained resolute at the back to hold firm for a point.
Charlton: Elliot (Randolph 46), Richardson, Borrowdale, S Sodje, Dailly; Sam, Semedo, Racon (Reid 79) Bailey; Mooney, Burton (A Sodje 43).
Subs (not used): Solly, Llera, Wagstaff, Shelvey.
Goal: Richardson 32, Mooney 60
Gillingham: Julian; Lewis, Nutter, Dennehy, Richards; Miller, Jackman, Weston (Jackson 73), Barcham; Oli, Howe (Walker 82).
Subs (not used): Royce, Payne, Bentley, Maher, Palmer.
Goals: Barcham 33, Oli 45
Booked: Oli 27 (hand-ball), Weston 35 (foul on Borrowdale)
Ref: P Taylor
Att: 20,024
www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=35820
