On Friday we were all set up for a party. Big crowd, holiday weekend, up against a team we had demolished just before Christmas (a result which marked the start of what then looked like a highly unlikely run up the league), one just about already safe from relegation. Get the three points, guarantee the play-off place, relax in the sun, see where the other results leave us (hopefully Peterborough would do to Stockport what they did to us, and Birmingham at Wembley, which they almost did, Bolton would at least deny Wycombe, which they didn’t, and Bristol Rovers would pull off a miracle at Wrexham, which they did).
As it turned out we were only able to start the party on the final whistle (and for me the party extended through Friday evening and the Cote des Maranges on Saturday). For that you have to give some credit to Northampton, as they made it as tough as Cambridge had in the previous game. In December they had been docile, downbeat, and fell apart, they looked like relegation fodder. This time around they were a very different beast and for stretches of the game we were second-best as they both closed us down when out of possession and created danger in our final third when with it. But like Cambridge they ended up losing the game, and for the same reason: not being able to take the half-chances that came their way. In both games we did what we needed to do to win.
The team/squad was a case of two back and one out, with Jones (the player) returning to the starting X1 and Maynard-Brewer back on the bench, but Gillesphey the latest to succumb to ‘muscle stiffness’. So Jones resumed as the central figure of the back three/five and McIntyre shifting left to replace Gillesphey. Otherwise it was as you were, with Jones (the boss) sticking to the approach against Cambridge of having three central forwards on the bench (Aneke, Ahadme and Mbick) and only one defensive/wing-back option (Watson), with Mitchell missing out again.
It was scrappy stuff from the start and in the early exchanges we were by no means in control, with the fresh enforced change to the back line seemingly resulting in some uncertainty. But all that counted for nothing as inside the first 10 we took the lead. Down the right Small played it to Godden and his cross sought out Campell in the box. It didn’t get there, being intercepted by a defender, but the ball was diverted back to where Berry was lurking and he showed excellent technique to send in a shot on the turn, low and between goalkeeper and defender into the net. When this half-chance came he took it very well.
At that point we had visions of getting another, perhaps turning on the style a little. Any such complacency was quickly dispelled as Northampton clearly hadn’t read the script. A spell of pressure had us chasing the ball and when a cross came in to the far post up went the hand of McIntyre to punch it beyond their guy behind him about to get on the end of it. Only he knows exactly what went through his mind. His feet weren’t in the right place to enable him to challenge for the ball in the air, their guy had got in behind him and may well have headed in from close range. In the split-second available he made a choice and that resulted in a blatant penalty (and I know it’s the rules when a penalty is awarded but just how McIntyre gets away with no card seems odd to me). The penalty was dispatched well and we had to start again.
Through the remainder of the first half we did progressively get on top as their pressing efforts were eased. Campbell threatened on the left but was generally handled well by their back line, while Small was more involved than against Cambridge and sent in some good crosses (as well as blazing a shot well over the bar – and the stand). For them McIntyre failed to deal with a long ball only for their forward to shoot wide. All the time the ref was adopting a bizarre approach to what was and was not a foul, with for example Campbell barged off the ball in an advanced position and nothing given.
At the break our consolation came in the form of other results. As things stood then, even with only a draw the play-off spot would be secured – and with a win and other results staying the same we would narrow the gap to second place to just three points (plus goal difference). Anyway, this one had to be won first and that was by no means in the bag.
The first 20 minutes of the second half were nip and tuck with us having the better of half-chances but not a monopoly. Jones (the boss) made his first change early, on 53 minutes, with Aneke coming on for McIntyre, changing the formation with Small switching to the left, Campbell to the right. A good Ramsey interception and interchange with Campbell resulted in a cross which Berry couldn’t quite control, his header going wide, then a Small cross led to a shot from Berry which was saved. Just after that we fashioned the chance we had been waiting for. Small bamboozled everyone on the left, managing to keep the ball in play on the byline, then chipped it into the danger area for Godden to run onto it. The header was about an inch too high as it cannoned off the bar and out.
Gilbert replaced Docherty after that, but before we could start to get truly frustrated we did regain the lead. On the face of it the goal was simple route one. Mannion long kick out, Aneke flicks on, and Godden took it in his stride and slid it under their advancing keeper. But the simplicity doesn’t do justice to the timing of the run, to both be onside but gain a yard on the defence, or the coolness of the finish. Perhaps Godden was still smarting from not scoring the one before, or perhaps like all quality finishers he’d already written that one off and was looking forward to the next.
Still 20 minutes plus to see out, and in that time Northampton, like Cambridge, had a couple of opportunities to level it up, while there was always the risk of a scramble from a long throw falling their way. The closest they came was when we were caught on the break down our right side, resulting in a low cross which their guy at the far post just failed to get on the end of. But despite some confusion caused by a triple substitution in the final minutes – Watson, Anderson and Mbick for Godden, Campbell and Berry – and helped by a couple of very timely Mannion high ball takes, we saw things out.
So these two vital games were won, not in style but effectively. The other results ended up perhaps not surprisingly being not so positive for us as Wycombe beat Bolton, Wrexham equalised for a point, as did Stockport at the death. So it’s up to fourth but a five-points gap to second and only three to play. Before these two games my thoughts were that we win them both and, with automatic promotion probably beyond us, use the final games to plan for the play-offs. Instead we still have a chance – and as long as that’s the case we surely have to go for it.
We simply have to beat Wycombe on their patch on Monday (doesn’t mean we approach the game in any different fashion, but if we’re say level with 10 minutes left there would be no suggestion of settling for a point). If we lose, second place becomes mathematically impossible; if we draw, Wycombe would need just two points (perhaps just one given goal difference) from their final two games to be certain of finishing above us, never mind Wrexham. It would be effectively over. But if we win, we would be two points behind them – and their final two games are away at Orient and home to Stockport. Overhauling them would only require them failing to win either of their final two games, neither of which are gimmees – always assuming of course we win our last two. Which leaves Wrexham. Of course we have to beat them too. If we do, and have beaten Wycombe, Wrexham would have to win their two other games left to finish above us – away at Blackpool and away at Lincoln.
Friday’s win means that starting with the game against Northampton in December we have played 24, won 17, drawn four, lost just three, taking 55 points from a possible 72, a return which if delivered over a full season would afford 105 points. Of course in December we regarded a play-off spot as probably beyond us and would have taken that with open arms. Right now we have three games left and the chance for this team to make some kind of Charlton history. Sure it’s a massive ask, to go to both Wycombe and Wrexham and win both, then to beat Burton. But it’s there, staring us in the face.
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