Charlton Ease Past County

County battled to the end in a 2-0 defeat at the Valley today and maybe the end of our hopes of survival this season.

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed around the country following the sad death of ex-County Keith Alexander aged just 53, and it was no different at Charlton today.

Despite two goals in the first 9 minutes for the Addicks, who are piling the pressure on Leeds for that second auto promotion spot, County held firm for the remainder and showed the determination and fight that has developed in recent weeks. Being honest, a loss was expected by most us today, but it could have been much worse but for the guts of the Hatters side.

Our pretty miserable luck this season continued today, and Charlton were ahead when Danny Swailes hoofed clear a cross, only to see the ball ricochet past fon Williams off the head of Paul Huntington, who was credited with the own goal.

Akpo Sodje then doubled their lead on the 10 minute mark through just plain sloppy marking (or lack of marking!) this time, as he was left completely free to nod past fon Williams powerfully. Pretty much game over.

There were few moments for the County fans to cheer about – Greg Tansey curled a vicious effort a good few yards past the post, and Jabo Ibehre ignored the offside flag to slot home anyway.

The full-time whistle was sounded and the travelling County fans applauded off the players and manager Gary Ablett for the second-half gritty display, but we need wins. Obviously, anything from today would have been a bonus, but it’s the games that are coming up that matter. Can we do it? Possibly. But this IS the weird game of football – we can expect to beat Gillingham, Brentford and Oldham all coming up at home and expect to lose at Milwall, and for all we know none of those things could happen. But of the fixtures we’ve got remaining…

Gillingham (H) – win

Oldham (H) – win

Brentford (H) – win

Millwall (A) – lose

Walsall (H) – win

Norwich (A) – lose

Yeovil (H) – draw

Hartlepool (A) – draw

Leyton Orient (A) – win

Huddersfield (H) – lose

Southend (A) – win

Tranmere (H) – win

7 wins, 2 draws, 4 defeats, 23 points – which would give us 46. That might be enough, but like I’ve said, it probably won’t pan out that way…and this is County we’re talking about.

We may survive, we probably won’t – but one thing’s for sure, County v Accrington in League 2 next year sounds a whole lot better than County in the Unibond. And with this takeover being completed next week, that’s where we’re heading.

Come on County.