14 April 2012 is a date etched in the memory of Charlton fans. For those fortunate enough to be at Brunton Park, it was a day they will never forget.
The Addicks needed to better Sheffield Wednesday’s result at Colchester to guarantee promotion back to the Championship after a three year exile.
Sheffield United were the third side battling for automatic promotion. The Blades won, though they had to survive a scare when Kevin Lisbie gave Leyton Orient an early lead.
How things have changed for the east Londoners since then. From losing a Wembley League One Play-Off Final to Rotherham on penalties in 2014, to almost certain demotion to the National League this season.
Joy abounded in the away section at Carlisle when Colchester took the lead in Essex. Wednesday fought back to get a 2-2 draw and gave Addicks fans a real scare when they had the ball in the net for a third time late on, but fortunately the goal was ruled out for offside.
Every time Charlton had a corner on the right in the second half, Johnnie Jackson asked the fans for updates of the Wednesday score.
Carlisle were on a decent run themselves, so the game was no formality, but Chris Powell’s side had a spirit and determination about them.
The winner came fourteen minutes from time. A Jackson corner on the left was cleared at the expense of another corner, this time from the right.
Master poacher, Bradley Wright-Phillips, tucked the ball away to send the travelling fans into raptures.
There was an anxious wait at the end, the Wednesday game finished a few minutes later than the game in Cumbria.
But when the result was confirmed, the celebrations began. Powell even allowed the fans in the dressing room to share the moment. Happy days.
Five years on, the Addicks are back in League One, and still looking for a few points to guarantee their survival.
They travel to the Ricoh on Friday to play troubled Coventry, looking for the win that would probably seal their safety.
The Sky Blues recently won the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley and have won four of their last five matches, so the game will not be easy.
Karl Robinson was relieved to beat Southend on Saturday. The win was only the second time his team have triumphed in their last fourteen outings.
He will be hoping they can carry the momentum into this game, and he is unlikely to tinker with the team too much.
Robinson’s biggest concern will be Ricky Holmes, who picked up a knock near the end of the Southend game.
Charlton could look like this:
Rudd; Solly, Bauer, Pearce, Dasilva; Crofts, Byrne, Konsa, Ulvestad, Holmes; Magennis.
Subs: Phillips, Chicksen, Teixeira, Jackson, Botaka, Forster-Caskey, Watt.
Darren Handley of Lancashire will take charge of his first Addicks game.
Despite Coventry’s recent good form, Robinson would be disappointed if his team do not take something from the game.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic