Charlton walked away from the Valley with a much needed and well deserved 2-0 win against Doncaster Rovers. After only picking up 1 point from a possible 6 in games against Oxford and Rochdale, Charlton found themselves in 13th position, way off their target of promotion. Although they were ahead of Charlton in the table going into today’s match, Doncaster too were in poor form, having lost both of their previous league games.
Despite being located on opposite sides of the country and only playing each other 10 times throughout history, the clubs have an interesting little rivalry. In November 2013 the two sides played each other on a gloomy, wet London day in the Championship. Doncaster outclassed Charlton and were up 3-1 at halftime, only for the game to be abandoned at the interval due to a waterlogged pitch. Charlton went on to win the replay 2-0, costing Doncaster 3 points. That season Doncaster were relegated on goal difference, showing just how costly Charlton’s poor pitch draining system was to them.
There was to be no threat of a similar situation in London today on a cold but dry autumnal day. Both sides quickly got into the game, with the first 10 minutes being incredibly fast-paced. Doncaster had the best chance with Jed Steer making a great save from Herbie Kane’s close range effort. The exciting, fast paced nature of the first 10 minutes was not an indicator of things to come as Charlton quickly slowed down the tempo and controlled the game.
Charlton took the lead in rather fortuitous circumstances after Tom Anderson’s attempt at a headed clearance hit his own bar before falling straight to the feet of Joe Aribo who poked it home from 5 yards. 5 minutes later Karlan Grant missed a glorious chance from the same range, after fantastic work from the goalscorer Aribo down the wing. Grant made up for wasting his chance in the 33rd minute when he headed Taylor’s cross into the back of the net for his 8th goal of the season.
In what was to be Charlton’s best half of football this season, Jamie Ward was unlucky not to net a third as his brilliantly hit free-kick came crashing back of the post on the stroke of halftime.
The second half saw a lot less action, with Aribo firing wide from 16 yards the only real talking point. Aribo put in a man of the match performance in midfield, ensuring Charlton were comfortable and never looked like conceding. It is little surprise that a host of Premier League clubs are paying attention to the young Englishman.
The win saw Charlton leapfrog Doncaster and go up to 8th on the League 1 table. They will be looking to carry on this form away at Walsall on Tuesday, in a game where they could enter the playoff spots if they win. On the other hand, it was an afternoon to forget for Doncaster who never really threatened.
Player Ratings
Jed Steer – 6.5
Anfernee Dijksteel – 6
Jason Pearce – 7
Krystian Bielik – 7
Chris Solly – 6.5
Jamie Ward – 7
Josh Cullen – 7
Ben Reeves – 7.5
Joe Aribo – 9
Lyle Taylor – 6
Karlan Grant – 7
Substitutes
Igor Vetokele – 5.5
Mark Marshall – 6.5
Naby Sarr – 6
Atmosphere review
2/10
Attendance: 9873
The quietest The Valley has been all season with neither set of fans really getting into the game. For the distance, Doncaster travelled in good numbers but had absolutely nothing to cheer for on the day.
