... And What A Day!

No, the dust hasn’t settled yet, the heart and the mind will still be at Wembley for a while to come. But the body is back in France, after another wonderful, triumphant weekend. Everyone will have their stories and in a nutshell this is mine – come on, there’s surely no point in a match report, although I think we would all join in wishing Leyton Orient well for next season. Their fans were splendid, their manager gracious in defeat. And I think he summed it all up by saying Charlton were ready for promotion, Orient perhaps not. My thought before the game was that they would love to go up, we need to go up. That sense of destiny for me hung over the game, only reinforced by Gillesphey’s free-kick.

The day began with a dilemma. Should I make the early dash from Welling to get to The Green Man to join up with other International Addicks, or meet up with fellow Addicks congregating at Waterloo for breakfast and an early glass or two? In the event the alarm clock made the decision for me (basically got up too late) and it would be the latter. The trains into town were already full of Addicks and by the time breakfast was concluded so were the tubes.

By the time we emerged at Wembley the plan of walking to The Green Man had gone out of the window and the queue for the Fan Zone was just too long. So we opted for going into the ground fairly early, around 12.00, where it was possible to sit and enjoy a glass (OK, it was a plastic tumbler full to the brim with red wine). Good chance to gather one’s thoughts and catch up with others, compare notes on expectations, and to take seats with the time to take it all in, even if we missed out on the atmosphere of the other venues.

After the game and having drained every last drop possible of the celebrations, we were trying to decide on where to get a glass when we walked by an Ibis hotel. I asked guys on the door if the bar was open – and that afforded us the opportunity for another pause for breath while drinking more truly challenging red wine. A couple later and it was train, tube, train and then we piled into Panas in Blackheath Village for a quick ruby. Well, it was intended to be a quick ruby but the staff had other ideas. The food when it came was exquisite – but it came far too late, we had waited ages and lost valuable time (apparently because it was a ‘long order’). The rating went back up a notch when we were offered a free brandy each to compensate for the delay, only for it to fall back again when said ‘brandy’ proved to be brandy-flavoured water.

We did make it into The Crown with enough time for a few more glasses, although we had again missed the chance to meet and greet others. Then with still very satisfied grins we went our separate ways, me back to Welling (and so pleased I managed to avoid falling asleep), the next day back to Lyon.

So not all went perfectly – off the pitch. On it, the only thing that prevented perfection was the absence of a second to enable us to truly enjoy a few minutes before a final whistle, which would have been a welcome change.

Massive congratulations to Jones and the team/squad, rounded off by his excellent post-match comments. Anticipation of next season, who will stay and who will go/get brought in is all for the future. Perhaps when the fixture list comes out in a few weeks. For now we can just remember, reflect, swap photos/videos – and each time we do conclude with WE BLOODY DID IT!!!!!!

Oh, What A Night

Oh what a night!! And no, I can't get that song out of my head this morning. I will never be able to say I way there (just as I was in Hong Kong for the second leg against Ipswich and in Lyon for the one against Doncaster). But like before I’ll be at Wembley, flights booked. Just watching the scenes at The Valley on the CATV stream was enough to make the spine tingle, especially with a large glass of celebratory cognac in hand.

Let’s tip a hat to Wycombe. They never wilted, their supporters made noise, but for two outstanding blocks by Ramsay might well have won the game; and in defeat their manager was gracious. They played their part in making the context a two-part classic as one of the worst exhibitions of football you might want to watch – and that is meant as a complement, not an insult. They took the lesson from the 0-4 and adapted, ensured there would be no repeat of that. That we kept them out over the two legs was down to superb, disciplined defending (aside from the early shot at their place I can’t remember Mannion having to make an actual save) as a team, while they protected ther goal very well too, managing in particular to snuff out the threat from Campbell.

The game last night consequently came down to very fine margins in a few key moments. Aside from a low cross from Godden which Campbell couldn’t reach our one real chance of the first half saw Jones miscue a header from close range when he seemed set to score (and probably should have done). In the second Small’s effort having cut in from the right went inches wide – and Godden came about as close to getting a decisive contact on the effort to divert it into the net. At the other end, as the game opened up Ramsay’s blocks will live long in our memories (and will haunt them for years), but you also have to add an exceptionally well-timed shove by Gillesphey on Kone as he was about to pull the trigger. If instead of shooting into the side-netting Kone had gone down under the challenge I don’t think the ref would have had any alternative but to give a penalty (and perhaps a red card).

Then we come to the goal. Jones did superbly to get his leg to the ball and keep the threat alive. But watching in real time I thought there’s no way he can get to the second ball before their keeper. That he did was down to fatal hesitation on the keeper’s part. If he’d reacted immediately and dashed out to claim the ball he surely would have got there first. Instead Jones nicked it and Godden did what he does so well – be in the right place at just the right time.

The game wasn’t about who deserved to win, the balance of play etc. It was all about whether one side or the other could get the ball into the net, by whatever means. We did. Cue glorious celebrations.

Jones deserves all the plaudits that will come his way, especially if we overcome Leyton Orient at Wembley. He hasn’t fashioned a pretty team but a very effective one - and if I’ll allow myself a pat on the back its for arguing late last year that Jones had to find a way to accommodate Small (clearly he did) and had to start with Godden (incredible as it seems now he was for much of the first half of the season not first choice). Most important, for me, is that he’s instilled in the players just what is needed to win at this level – and they’ve bought into it, with success breeding success. Whatever happens at Wembley, we have good reason to look forward to next season.

As for Wembley, the bookies have already made us (slightly) odds-on favourites. That’s fair enough to any neutral, given the results this season and the final standings. We know how difficult it’s going to be, we haven’t forgotten we were 1-0 down at their place until two headers right at the death, even though I’d guess most Addicks are like me in being pleased that we will face Orient and not Stockport. Orient are there on merit, just as we are. It’s going to be a great day. Bring it on.

All Set Up For Thursday

We’d gone through ad infinitum the pros and cons of facing Wycombe for a Wembley final, what would be needed, what was and was not relevant from the previous games (there’s always a very nagging feeling when everything went so well last time you just think ‘do the same again’ while the opposition must be thinking ‘nothing worked last time, we need to change something’). Basically we just wanted a rerun of the 0-4 win and not surprisingly that didn’t happen. But what we got was in many respects positive, in some respects a magnificent display of resolve and resolution.

It was an ugly game, combative but nervy, marked by poor refereeing and very few chances. They edged the first half, even though Kone could easily have been given a red card for his double challenge on Ramsay (and how he avoided a second yellow during the game is a mystery, not least for leading with his elbow in an arial challenge). They had a shot or two, some dangerous moments, while we struggled to create anything. But through the second half we steadily gained the ascendency, nullifying their threat, and ended by far the stronger side, with their keeper having to pull off two late saves to keep it goalless. It may not have been the result we secretly hoped for, but it’s an outcome that we probably would have taken before the game – and the way in which we overcame them, despite a homer ref, must give us optimism for the second leg. Jones has to be the happier of the two bosses.

We all also knew the team if everyone was available, the only question being whether they all were. Mannion, Jones and Berry did indeed return, while Small was back but only among the subs. Whether that was tactical on the part of Jones the Boss or the thought that he might not be ready yet for 90 minutes would be a point to clear up later. So it would be 3-5-2 with Ramsay, Jones and Gillesphey in central defence, Watson and Edwards the wing-backs, Coventry and Docherty the midfield anchors and Berry the more forward midfield option, and Godden and Campbell up front. Maynard-Brewer was the back-up keeper, Small and Mitchell (getting the nod again over McIntyre) the defensive options (although Small can be considered more an attacking one), Anderson and Gilbert for midfield, and Mbick and Hylton the reserve forwards, with Kanu (and of course Ahadme) missing out.

In the first half, without Small the onus was on Campbell to be the out ball and main attacking threat, but he was well marshalled, generally crowded out before being able to get set, often fouled with nothing given. The ball was in the air most of the time, but Wycombe had the greater cohesion and threat going forward, requiring some very good defending to keep them at bay. They had I’d say two real chances. The first was in the fifth minute when a ball found a guy in space outside the box and he hit a wicked shot, fortunately close enough to Mannion for him to get enough behind the ball to keep it out. The second came on 14 minutes from a free kick on the left side. The ball was sent in to the far post and really two Wycombe players got in each other’s way, with one heading over from a good position.

The incident of note came on 35 minutes when Ramsey was seeing a ball out and Kone came sliding in. His first contact with studs showing caught Ramsey around the ankle, his follow through saw his studs hit higher up the leg. It was a poor challenge, one he acknowledged; only he can say what was going through his mind. Would VAR have resulted in a red card? I’d say probably. A little bit of handbags at the end of the half saw the usual yellow for each time, Docherty for us. Here too a replay would probably have seen more cards for them as some of their players got involved when there was no need.

The stats at the break showed possession almost even with Wycombe having four attempts on goal, two on target, against one and none for us. But we’d kept them out.

Not much changed during the second half except that we just seemed to get stronger, they probably tired and became frustrated. We still weren’t creating anything in the final third, but that changed late on following the introduction of Small and Anderson, for Watson and Berry, on 71 minutes. They were clearly wilting and my impression was that if anyone was going to nick a winner it would be us. The two chances came late on as first Godden was denied by their keeper, who went on to produce a more instinctive save from Docherty from close range.

You’d say on balance over the full game a draw was a reasonable outcome. But if the game had gone on for another 10 minutes there was only going to be one winner. We ended up having seven attempts on goal, three on target, against seven and two for them (ie none on target in the second half).

We have to wait to see if anyone picked up a bad enough knock to rule them out of the return at The Valley. We will have Aneke back available and presumably he will be in the squad (Jones’ lack of forward options from the bench having been a notable constraint), while Jones will have to decide whether at home Small is the better wing-back option (for all his qualities Watson cannot provide the same threat going forward). It’s going to be some night, bring it on.

Plans Being Laid As Best I Can

So there we have it, Wycombe twice then Wembley. The weekend kind of went as planned, although there was a smack of Heath Robinson about it for me. Months ago, when the play-offs (never mind top two) were but a distant dream, my nieces planned a surprise birthday party for my sister and my partner Suzanne and I said we’d be there. How was I to know they would choose the final Saturday of the regular season?

There was no way I was going to risk not being there if we were going to be promoted automatically, so before the Wrexham game I bought a ticket for Burton. Thought perhaps I might just ‘nip out for some fresh air’ and hope nobody noticed my absence for a few hours. The pressure eased, for an obvious reason, so in the event I was able to party with the rest of the family for a while then head off to The Valley to get in for the final 20 minutes of the game, before post-match drinks and a ruby with fellow Addicks (having been given a pass for good behaviour, or something, by Suzanne). I didn’t get to see a goal, but that’s no problem, more are coming at Wembley.

The game itself was notable only for the fact that we secured the win and with it (and the Wycombe v Stockport result) fourth place, the blooding of youngsters (including the debut for Fullah), the resting of those who needed it, and Godden’s two superb goals, which meant he ended the regular season as the league’s joint-third top scorer and a minutes-per-goal stat (140) bettered only by Barry. Jones was for sure a worthy winner of the Player of the Year award (my vote went to Coventry), but Godden would also have been (with Campbell, Edwards and Gillesphey getting mentions in dispatches).

The rest of the season really should be straightforward – but seems it isn’t, yet. I watched the two Doncaster games in a bar in Old Lyon (before the trip to Wembley) and assumed I’d be able to do the same this time around. Apparently not. It seems no broadcaster in France is showing the game and CATV isn’t allowed. So much for my plans. I’m still investigating ways and means and more than fingers are crossed.

Then there’s the question of Wembley, if it happens of course. It’s tempting fate to book a London trip for the weekend, but each day you wait the price goes up. Sure, when push comes to shove I will pay the cost whatever (and may end up like last time sleeping at Heathrow for an early flight back to Lyon), but perhaps there is the possibility to book flights with the option of rescheduling if the unthinkable happens. If I do that it is sending the message (to whoever may be listening) that I don’t believe it’s guaranteed we will get there – but it’s guaranteed that if we do get there I will be there too. (One small aside, I’m never ITK but seems one of the other International Addicks post-Burton chatted with Thierry Small on the train home and was told that he, Lloyd Jones and Luke Berry would all be fit for the first leg against Wycombe.)

A Game Too Far, But Still All To Play For

For the second consecutive match for us it was a case of win or bust (albeit bust meaning the play-offs, an option we would have been overjoyed with until recently). With the results of most of the other games having gone in our favour - with Wycombe losing and at the bottom Burton, our last game opponents, grabbing a last-gasp winner to leave them all but safe - we knew that a win would lift us to third – back above Stockport, who had come from behind to win – and leave it all to play for on the final day. At the same time Wrexham knew that a win and they would be promoted, end of story.

It proved to be a game too far for us. We needed to be at our best for this one and, with injuries and suspensions, we were not. At the same time Wrexham saw their chance and grabbed it with both hands. We wanted to be party-poopers but on the day ended up as ideal cannon-fodder and the game was effectively lost in the first 20 minutes. From two down we might have got back in it by nicking a goal, but the chances were very few and Wrexham were content to close out the game, able to start their party early with a late third.

The team/squad seemed likely to be down to whether anyone hadn’t sufficiently recovered from the Wycombe game, or any fresh knocks, and who would replace Aneke on the bench. It turned out that both Small and Berry would miss out with ‘minor injuries’, replaced by Watson and Anderson respectively, while Ahadme was apparently also unavailable, ruling out any thoughts of him proving to be an end-of-season hero, as well as Maynard-Brewer. Kanu did return on the bench as had been suggested, joined by Mbick and Hylton, with Mitchell and McIntyre drafted in to take the final slots. So you’d have to say that every senior player was either in the squad or unavailable.

Wrexham came out of the traps fast and caused our defence problems from the start. It was really no surprise that they took the lead on 14 minutes. A long ball forward caught out our back line, with Ramsay playing their guy onside, allowing him to get in behind. It took a desperate prod of the ball from behind by Gillesphey to stop him from scoring. The resulting corner was played short, then square, and their guy set up to shoot from range wasn’t closed down fast enough. He had the time to set himself and delivered a fierce shot which went through a ruck of players and past the probably unsighted Mannion.

It got worse on 17 minutes as Dobson progressed down their left, played it square, and their guy chipped in a ball over the heads of our back line for Smith to run on to. He adeptly diverted the ball dropping over his shoulder to leave Mannion stranded.

After that, Wrexham did ease up and the game became more even, although they looked like they were playing within themselves and intent now on keeping things tight at the back. Campbell was smothered whenever he got near the ball, his frustration evident in a first-half yellow for a late tackle. We did have a couple of chances to get back into it. First, from a Campbell cross Godden prodded the ball goalwards but their defender blocked the effort, then on the half-our was the real opportunity as a long ball down the right from Ramsay played in Watson, but on his effort with his left foot lacked conviction and was saved.

The half-time stats showed that we had edged possession 51-49% and had six attempts on goal, two on target, against only three for them – the difference being that their two on target went in. But those figures were misleading. They were well in control of the game.

The second half started off in the same vein, with a scramble or two in their box not producing a goal. My text to fellow Addicks at that point was ‘need to go ape shit crazy, put Mbick on as a wildcard factor and go for it, nothing to lose’. And he was introduced on 52 minutes, replacing the clearly struggling Jones, who it turns out had not been able to train all week after the Wycombe game. On 62 minutes it was Kanu for Anderson, with Godden dropping deeper, then on 72 minutes Gilbert for a limping Watson.

Any thoughts of a storming finish went out of the window on 80 minutes with Dobson again involved. A good cross from the right saw Smith attack the ball and get there first, rifling a header into the net from close range. And the game was summed up with the final chance in stoppage time as the ball dropped for Godden in the area but a Wrexham defender threw his body in the way of the shot. The consolation would have at least added another to his tally for the season.

So, we know it’s the play-offs, but we could finish fourth or fifth - third is mathematically possible but would require a very big win on the final day and Wycombe and Stockport drawing their final game. If Wycombe win that one, we will play Stockport – and vice versa. If we beat Burton we would have the assumed advantage of playing the second leg at home, whether against Wycombe or Stockport. So there is still something riding on the Burton game, just not the glory we had in our sights.

That said, the priority is ensuring that as many as possible are fully fit for the play-offs, with Aneke back available for the second leg of the semi-final. We can’t begrudge Wrexham their celebrations, the ridiculously over-the-top media focus on them notwithstanding. As Jones the Boss remarked, they have coped with that attention very well through the season. Good luck to them (even if I have a Wrexham friend who swears blind he didn’t want them to go up).

As our games and options become clearer, so do my plans. I bought a ticket for the Burton game on the off chance (it’s complicated, all will be revealed another day). After that, it appears that the semi-final games will not be available via CAFC TV for us International Addicks, so I will make my way to Lyon from Givry and station myself there to get to a bar in Old Lyon to watch them. Hopefully the morning after I’ll be booking another trip to London for a Wembley date.

All still to play for. COYA.

Focus Should Be On Astonishing Win

Today only a win would do if we were to keep alive our chances of automatic promotion. A loss and that would be mathematically impossible, leaving us to switch priorities to prepare for the play-offs; a draw and it would be pretty much the same. But win and maybe, just maybe we wouldn’t need to be wondering whether play-off semi-finals would be on CATV and making preparations for a late May trip to Wembley. I don’t mind admitting it was the first game this season I really felt nervous about.

Needn’t have worried as the outcome was something out of dreamland. Another superb defensive display to nullify Wycombe and four goals scored. But what is truly weird, we win 0-4 away at the team in second and I’m annoyed, for three reasons. First, did nobody tell the players that another goal or two might have made a massive difference. They were on the ropes and we eased off, but their goal difference is now 28 and ours 25. Even one more and it’s 27-26. As it is, Wycombe can probably get away with four points from their final two games to guarantee ending above us, rather than having to win both. Second, Wrexham scored twice and won. That means even if we beat them, a victory for them in their final game, at Lincoln, and we cannot overhaul them. Third, Aneke. The TV replays didn’t show the key moment(s), so no idea if he was unfairly treated. But for crying out loud, we’re winning 0-4 and he gets a red and presumably a three-game ban. Utter, utter stupidity.

I’m sure those feelings will fade and allow through the satisfaction from us having done a complete number on Wycombe, led by the outstanding Jones, despite him getting a yellow card after just three minutes.

The team showed one change from Northampton as Gillesphey was able to return in place of McIntyre, and as Jones stuck to the approach of having three replacement forwards on the bench he dropped out of the squad (meaning once more we had no real centre-back replacement, Watson as the only defensive alternative, Mitchell still out of favour it seems). But there was a change to those three, with Ahadme omitted in favour of Hylton. No doubt Jones had a reason for that, looking at possible requirements late in the game.

The early exchanges were scrappy beyond belief, but underneath the arial approach from both sides were important individual battles going on. Both teams were looking to establish domination that could be used for good effect later. The tone was set by the early crunching tackle from Jones which produced the yellow, which was harsh. And before the game had settled we took the lead.

After a couple of Edwards long throws Docherty found some space on the left side and sent in a low cross. Jones got to it first and prodded the ball goalwards. Their keeper seemed taken by surprise and wrongfooted, only able to get a hand to it but not keep it out. And if that had us running around shouting it got better as with only 23 minutes on the clock we doubled our advantage. A ball in from a free-kick was headed back across goal but a defender got to it first to poke the ball away, only for Berry to run onto it and hit a belter straight as the proverbial arrow into the top corner. Their keeper didn’t even move.

That was just about Berry’s final contribution as he went down injured and was replaced by Anderson, which given that we were two to the good helped to stiffen the defensive side of midfield. And for the remainder of the first half we kept them at bay quite comfortably, at least until right at the end we almost let them back in as a ball in was sliced by Jones and Gillesphey got his chest to the loose ball only to divert it just wide of the post.

The half-time stats showed they had enjoyed 60% possession but had been restricted to just one effort on goal and that well wide, against our three on target out of three. Clearly it wasn’t game over, and you fancied Wycombe to come out all guns blazing to try to get back into the game. Surely they had no choice.

Instead by the hour mark the game was over as a contest. We were the beneficiaries of one of those howlers that happen to all keepers now and then. A back pass and the guy just slipped. He did get up in time to try to clear the ball but Godden had closed it down and when it bounced kindly for him only had to knock it in from a yard out. Such a big goal – and just a few minutes later we had another. Small sent in the cross from the right and Anderson did a fair imitation of Berry to time his run well and head past their keeper, who again managed a hand to it but nothing more.

The final 30 minutes plus were slightly frustrating in that they were not surprisingly shell-shocked but despite the possible importance of goal difference we didn’t turn the screw and notch another one or two. There were some shots but when on 78 minutes Jones the boss took off Jones the player, plus Godden and Campbell, with Aneke, Hylton and Watson coming on, it was a fair indication that the priority was to avoid any silly red card for (for Jones) and to protect a couple for the games to come.

Mannion pulled off a good save diving to his left and a Wycombe guy might have converted at the far post. But it was all rather academic, as was Aneke’s shot which was saved and a decent effort from Hylton which was blocked. Until three minutes into five of stoppage time the cameras showed Chuks tussling with one of their guys and the next thing both of them on the ground holding their faces. The replays failed to confirm what had happened, but the ref and/or his assistants had clearly seen something and when Aneke got to his feet he saw red.

I can’t begin to imagine what Jones, and his teammates, will have said to Aneke. I’ve no doubt he is sorry, but there’s just no reason to do something to give the ref a decision to make. Unbelievable. It means that now without Leaburn, Kanu and Aneke our forward options for Godden are restricted to Hylton, Mbick and the out of favour Ahadme.

OK, but let’s not let that overshadow what was a magnificent performance, of course one helped by the goals. The Wrexham win can’t be ignored, given what it means for our chances of getting second. But we’ll worry about that, and the game against them on Saturday, starting tomorrow. For now let the focus be on Jones the player and those around him, for they delivered an astounding win.

Three Wins Away From Possible Greatness

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.