I was chatting to a couple of Sheffield United fans in the car park ahead of the game when a distinguished looking guy came over.
He spoke to the fans before shaking my hand and telling me to enjoy the game. I had to ask the Blades fans who he was and was surprised to discover it was United chairman, Kevin McCabe.
“I work hard on my free-kicks and that was my reward,” Johnnie Jackson told a morning paper, when describing his effort at Hillsborough, before adding, “A couple of days a week I go off on my own after training and spend ages taking them.”
An object lesson for younger players making their way in the game. Jackson reaped another rich harvest for his dilligence on the training ground against the Blades. Hollands was brought down 25 yards out in a central position. Yann Kermorgant fancied the situation but no one was going to stop the skipper taking it after last week’s effort.
This attempt was even better as Jackson rifled the ball into Steve Simomsen’s top right-hand corner. As was the case last week, the Addicks opponents had plenty of the ball but one free-kick apart, Hamer did not have a meaningful shot to deal with. On a windy afternoon, the custodian did not have his best game, frequently flapping and mis-timing punches.
Fortunately for Hamer, his back-four were as resolute and impressive as ever.
There was a spate of cards late on, including a red for substitute, Darel Russell, for a dangerous, two footed lunge. Both Doyle and McDonald had been given yellows for fouls on the midfielder and frustration may have got the better of Russell. In the aftermath, another substitute, James Beattie, was also dismissed for violent conduct,when he grabbed Yann Kermorgant round the throat. Kermorgant picked up a caution for tugging an opponent’s shirt in the incident.
With Sheffield Wednesday dropping two home points against Hartlepool, the Addicks are now in a commanding position at the head of the table. Chris Powell will be anxious to keep his players’ feet on the ground after their excellent week.
Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins; Green (Russell 77), Pritchard, Hollands, Jackson; Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Haynes 88).
Subs (not used): Sullivan, Cort, Clarke.
Goal: Jackson 21.
Booked: Wiggins 26 (foul), Pritchard 60 (time wasting), Hamer 62 (time wasting), Kermorgant 86 (tussle).
Sent off: Russell 85 (serious foul play).
Sheff Utd: Simonsen; Lowton, Jean-Francois (Williams 77), Maguire, Collins, Jean-Francois (Williams 77); Williamson (Porter 88), McDonald, Doyle, Quinn; Cresswell (Beattie 77), Evans.
Subs (not used): Long, Montgomery.
Booked: Doyle 80 (foul), McDonald 81 (foul), Evans 86 (tussle), Williams 90 (foul).
Sent off: Beattie (violent conduct).
Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridge).
Attn: 20,992 (2,694 Shefield United).