Accrington Stanley shine as Charlton struggle

A cold night at The Valley showed a difference between two sides, who are in the mix for the play-off’s. Accrington were slick, organised and fluid, whereas Charlton were disjointed, and lacking in every area of the pitch.

In the early stages of the game, Accrington were making great use of the wings, utilising Pritchard, who’s touch, and technical ability on the ball was precise all night. His teammates were always looking for him, and Pritchard was there to drive the team forward.

It wasn’t just the flair of Pritchard that was impressive, this was a team performance by Accrington. Butcher was a rock in midfield, breaking up play, winning the ball back, and stamping his physical presence on the game. Behind him, the defence were limiting Charlton to very little.

Despite Accrington having more of the play, it was Charlton who had the better of the early chances. New signing, Liam Millar, cut in from the left wing and powered an effort at goal, but it was easy for Baxter to parry away. Shortly after this, Jake Forster-Caskey picked a ball up on the edge of the box. He controlled well, and his driven effort was just tipped wide by Baxter.

Accrington had been shooting on site, however they weren’t hitting the target. Butcher came the closest, with a long range effort that had Amos beaten, but it flew narrowly past the post.

The deadlock was finally broken after a Charlton error. A long ball by keeper Baxter was poorly dealt with Pearce, who’s weak header was picked up by Colby Bishop. Bishop was cool and calm, and chipped the ball over Ben Amos, and then headed into an empty net. It was a game changing error, and one that was totally avoidable.

This is where the game started to change. The Addicks had an opportunity very soon after the goal to equalise, but as with their other opportunities throughout the game, they lacked a calmness in-front of goal. Accrington failed to clear a cross, and it landed at the feet of Gilbey, who was just inside the box. He struck first-time, but his effort was straight at Baxter.  That proved the last notable chance of the half.

Charlton started brighter in the second half, utilising Liam Millar down the left. He was proving a tricky player for Accrington to deal with. Millar had only trained with Charlton a couple of times, but he was building a growing understanding with Maatsen.

There was a good pace to the second half, and both sides were playing well on the ball. However despite this, both keepers had a very quiet start to the half.

Accrington doubled their lead midway through the half, when a cross found it’s way to Pritchard in the box. He laid it to Bishop, who’s dummy shot sees his defender slide out the way, and then he coolly slots it into the corner. It was a brilliant finish, but the calmness in the build-up was even better.

This allowed Accrington to really play without any pressure. They defended resolutely, although Charlton didn’t press as much as you would expect when being 2-0 down.

It wasn’t until the 75th minute onwards that Charlton seemed to kick into gear. However they didn’t ever look like scoring. A combination of a tight defence, and an attack that lacked confidence.

It was a thoroughly professional performance by Accrington, who have shown that they should be considered as promotion candidates. The win moved them up into the play-offs, and with games in hand, Stanley will be keen on cementing that place.

Charlton Woes

Lee Bowyer was not happy post-match, and rightly so. Too many players looked to be coasting, and letting the game pass them by. They lacked a drive in the game, and looked a bit disjointed. The contrast to this, was their opponents. Accrington were calm, fluid, and playing like a team.

Bowyer made four changes to the side, and it seems like he is trying to find a consistent team. Liam Millar was Charlton’s brightest player, and if he can continue as he started, then he could prove a big player for them going forward.

There were chances for Charlton throughout, but they lacked that something. The game changed in the space of a few minutes, a poor header gifting Bishop his first goal, followed by a poor effort when given a good chance to equalise summed up the game for the Addicks. They need to give a little more, and push that little bit harder, and they might be able to turn their form around.

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