Addicks starlets made to wait for debut

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8709402.Charlton_starlets_made_to_wait_for_debut/

Charlton U18s 2-3 Ipswich U18s

Charlton U18s' five-game undefeated streak came to an end at the hands of Ipswich Town at Sparrows Lane on Saturday morning.

The Addicks had twice come from behind through Tosan Popo and Tobi Sho-Silva to cancel out efforts from Town skipper Joshua Meekings and forward Caolan Lavery.

But Lavery, originally named on the bench until the last minute, when he was promoted to the starting XI for Tom Winter, fired home a free-kick on 66 minutes to hand the Tractor Boys the win.

To read the full report, click here.

FA Cup First Round Replay: Reidy sends Addicks through (16/11/10)

Charlton will play Luton Town at home in the second round of the FA Cup after edging out Barnet 1-0 in the replay at The Valley.

My match report for the News Shopper can be read here, while I pulled double duty at The Valley that night - this time for the Press Association rather than the Football League Paper. My abbreviated match report made it onto the websites of ITV.com, Eurosport, ESPN Soccernet and more (uncredited).

Peterborough 1-5 Charlton, 13/11/10

Match report from the massive win at London Road: http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8636139.Five_star_Addicks_put_Posh_under_cosh/

And two-goal supersub Lee Martin on breaking into the first team: http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/football/charlton/8636667.Martin_hopes_to_disrupt_Valley_status_quo/

Barnet v Charlton, FA Cup 1st Round, 06/11/10

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8622353.Addicks_forced_to_replay_by_Bees/ Match report

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8622833.Elliot_succeeding_with_flying_colours/ Rob Elliot reaction

Finding Cory Gibbs - and a whole new ball game in the process

How many of you can say "I saw Cory Gibbs play a competitive football match"?

There's a strong chance that some of you won't even remember him. The American centre-back, now 30, was Alan Curbishley's final signing before his resignation in 2006. Just a year prior to penning a pre-contract agreement at The Valley, he faced off against an England side featuring then-Addick Luke Young, making his Three Lions debut. It was during this game Gibbs sustained a knee injury that would eventually make him a cult figure around SE7.

Charlton 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday, 31/10/10

Scott Wagstaff's goal capped off a fantastic inaugural Academy Day at Charlton, with the under-18s thrashing West Ham 4-0 that morning at Sparrows Lane before the current Academy poster boy Waggy 'bricked' his way to three points for the Addicks. His thoughts on the goal and his recent form can be found here.

Meanwhile, Parky hails the side's reaction to losing 4-0 to Brighton two weeks ago here.

Game Review: Guild 2 - Renaissance (PC)

I recently made my debut for the News Shopper's video games section, reviewing the standalone expansion of successful RPG series The Guild 2. Full review can be found here.

Plymouth 2-2 Charlton, 09/10/10

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8443055.Addicks_skipper_at_right_back_for_Plymouth_clash/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8443114.Benson_brace_makes_point_for_improved_Addicks/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8443721.No_place_like_home_for_Addicks_stalwart/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/8443719.Benson_not_phased_by_expectations/

Parky frustrated as Bees swarm Addicks

Report and manager reaction from Charlton's 2-1 defeat at Brentford on 02/10/10 is here.

Charlton 2-2 Dagenham, 25/09/10

CHARLTON manager Phil Parkinson was sent to the stands during the Addicks’ 2-2 draw with Dagenham after a heated exchange with referee Jonathan Moss. [more]


JOHNNIE Jackson scored his first goal for Charlton on Saturday – but was hardly in the mood to celebrate his personal landmark. [more]

Post-match reaction to Charlton 1 Notts County 0, 11/09/10

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8387343.Parky__The_best_is_yet_to_come/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8387344.Spot_kick_king_Elliot_continues_fine_record/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8387345.Anyinsah_passes_Valley_initiation_with_flying_colours/

Charlton U18s 0-4 Tottenham U18s

http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=36607

Exeter 1-0 Charlton, 04/09/10

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8372768.Addicks_bested_by_late_spot_kick/

Charlton 1-0 Dagenham, JPT 31/08/10

A quick recap of Charlton's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Dagenham & Redbridge as well as post-match and post-transfer window ponderings from manager Phil Parkinson:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8363549.Addicks_boss_finally_satisfied_after_triple_swoop/

And goalscorer Therry Racon speaks on ending his Valley goal drought - as well as dispelling rumours that he'll be leaving the Addicks:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8366225.Racon_staying_with_Charlton/

Monday Shopper articles, 23/08/10

FORMER Charlton striker Luke Varney isn’t likely to make a return to the club, according to Addicks boss Phil Parkinson. [read more]


CHARLTON new boy Alan McCormack was thrilled to be named stand-in skipper for the Addicks’ 1-1 draw at home to Oldham on Saturday. [read more]

Charlton 1-1 Oldham, 21/08/10

My News Shopper match report for the Addicks' home draw with Oldham can be read here, while manager Phil Parkinson reacts to the result and Jason Jarrett's red card here.

Charlton U18s 1-1 Blackburn U18s 1

Charlton's Under 18 side kicked off their 2010-11 Academy League campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday - check out my full report on the official Charlton website here.

First of 2010/11 articles

Already fallen a bit behind with storing the article links on here, but here's a catch-up of the first few Charlton matches of 2010/11, starting with the League One opener at home to Bournemouth with the post-match ponderings of Phil Parkinson and new signing Lee Martin:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8319570.Parky__Addicks_rebuilding_far_from_complete/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8319571.Tractor_Boy_thrilled_with_Charlton_switch/

Midweek, the Addicks B-team somehow squandered a 3-0 lead to lose to Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/football/charlton/8323897.Shrews_comeback_sends_Addicks_crashing_out/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/football/charlton/8325828.Parky_has_no_regrets_with_selection_policy/

And after bouncing back just three days later at Leyton Orient live on Sky, new striker Pawel Abbott looked ahead to the following league contest against his former club Oldham:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8333321.Addicks_switch_a_no_brainer_for_Abbott/

Last of pre-season articles

A collection of Shopper reports from the Addicks' final two pre-season friendlies at Bromley and Watford. The former saw a CAFC XI comprised mostly of youngsters and triallists seal a late 2-0 win at Hayes Lane, while the latter ended in a 1-0 defeat despite a strong showing from a near full strength Charlton outfit.

Young Addicks steal the show at Bromley

Parky: Addicks still four short

Murray buyout a great relief to Addicks boss

Basey and Mooney unlikely to return to Charlton

The 2010 World Cup is over (unfortunately I didn't find the time to continue the daily blogs for those dozen or so readers...!), the regular football season is upon us and pre-season has begun.

Click here for a recap of Charlton's friendly defeat at Barnet while boss Phil Parkinson also sounds grim regarding the chances of Grant Basey or David Mooney featuring for the Addicks again.

Bromley up next Wednesday, followed by Watford on Saturday and then the first League One game of the campaign at home to Bournemouth a week later.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Eleven

The 2010 World Cup is at the halfway stage, sez Peter Drury. I'd like to think (hope?) that it's actually just beginning.

The second wave of group games was wrapped up by Group H once again providing some of the best action despite a relative lack of goals, while Portugal opened their South African account after a drab goalless draw with the Ivory Coast by thumping North Korea 7-0 and sending them crashing out.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Ten

Of the three games on day ten of the 2010 World Cup, it's safe to say that people will remember one match - and one incident in another.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Nine

The fact that it has taken almost nine full days to confirm the first nation in the last sixteen and the first nation making an early trip home is testament to the fact that we are in for one of the tightest and most intriguing group stages in recent memory. So much for this becoming the dullest World Cup in history...

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Eight

Day eight of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was one of severe disappointment and dismay for three sides who could have guaranteed, or at least all but secured, their place in the second round of the finals.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Seven

We are now one full week into the 2010 World Cup, and the first full day of second fixtures was upon us. The big question: were the numerous wary, lethargic, low-scoring performances really down to the altitude, the new ball, the vuvuzelas?

If the quality of football on display so far in game two of Groups A and B, the answer would appear to be "perhaps they were".

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Six

With all 32 sides off and running now in the 2010 World Cup, it may finally be safe to confirm that the worst of the shaky, tentative start to proceedings, accompanied by all of the excuses and concerns, is behind us.

Unfortunately, it also seems that host nation South Africa's chances of continuing their progress on home soil has also fallen by the wayside, unless the Bafana Bafana can pull off a miracle against France.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Five

I was absolutely adamant that my recent trend of finding themes among each day's three World Cup games would finish before long, likely by today in fact. But one word screamed out at me by the end of New Zealand v Slovakia, Cote d'Ivoire v Portugal and Brazil v North Korea: surprise.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Four

The general concensus from the first few days of World Cup action is one of disappointment due to several nations playing extremely cautiously to begin their respective campaigns - not to mention a low tally of actual goals scored.

Germany's rout of Australia was, as a result, heralded as the first quality performance and first truly entertaining fixture of the tournament so far - but the former sentiment I feel is extremely unfair to the likes of South Korea who came to South Africa to play, and the latter a harsh reflection on the extremely watchable Argentina/Nigeria encounter.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Three

The opening weekend of the 2010 World Cup concluded with another triple threat of games on a lazy Sunday afternoon(/evening). Half of our thirty-two sides have now made an account of themselves and, quite frankly, very few have been that dazzling.

However, the goals finally game for those netbuster fanatics in the evening's fixture and England's situation in Group C following a disappointing draw with the USA became a little clearer.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day Two

After a successful start to the first African World Cup with a compelling opening match between hosts South Africa and Mexico (followed by a not so compelling stinker between France and Uruguay), it was time for the tournament to get real good for the armchair spectator: Day Two meant three games throughout a Saturday afternoon and evening, and this writer can confirm that London's West End was absolutely rammed throughout.

You'd have expected crowds to be minimal for the first two games in Group B before hitting fever pitch in the evening for England's bow against international rivals the United States. But the number of Korean, Greek, Argentine and Nigerian fans on hand in the bars of the big smoke was impressive to say the least - not to mention the amount of locals out to take full advantage of the perfect excuse for a boozy all-dayer.

Host Nation's World Cup Armchair Diary: Day One

After what felt like an eternity in waiting, World Cup fever has once again run wild, and in lieu of actual tickets to South Africa, I'll be posting my thoughts on the games and the tournament as a whole right here on everybody's favourite ghost-town blog!

Morison thanks Jackett for second chance

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/8192801.Morison_thanks_Jackett_for_second_chance/

Play-offs penalty anguish leaves Charlton in League One

After finishing fourth in League One after 46 games, Charlton found themselves paired with Swindon Town in the play-off semi finals. A 2-1 defeat at the County Ground on Friday left the Addicks in with a shout at The Valley for the second leg, but despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half Charlton were pegged back one leading to extra time and a penalty shoot-out defeat which ended their promotion dreams.

Manager Phil Parkinson's reaction to the heartbreaking defeat can be found here.

Oldham v Charlton, 08/05/10

It was a wild 90 minute ride during Charlton's final proper league game of the season - the Addicks found themselves in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th at some point as well as potentially facing all of the possible play-off semi-final opponents: Leeds, Millwall, Swindon and Huddersfield.

Finally, after goals from Nicky Bailey and Miguel Llera - not to mention a 12 minute spell in the automatic promotion places - Charlton found themselves finishing in fourth and will travel to Swindon on Friday night for the first leg of their play-offs semi.

The match report from Oldham can be read here, while manager Phil Parkinson as well as player of the year 2009/10 Christian Dailly gave their thoughts at Boundary Park moments after the final whistle.

Charlton v Leeds, 01/05/10, POTY 09/10

After Charlton's dramatic 1-0 victory over second placed Leeds kept them in the automatic promotion hunt going into the final game of the league campaign, manager Phil Parkinson refused to get ahead of himself with the possibility of play-offs still to come - read the full article here.

And just 24 hours later, Christian Dailly was named Charlton's 2009/10 Player of the Year, edging out Jose Semedo and Nicky Bailey in the closest poll in years. Click here for more on the ceremony and Dailly's tribute to the tremendous Charlton support this season.

Reid: Leeds game holds no fears

KYEL Reid warned second-placed Leeds Charlton will be playing with nothing to lose in their promotion clash at The Valley on Saturday. [more]

Exeter City v Charlton Athletic, 24/04/10

Match report for the 1-1 draw at St James' Park can be found here. Reaction - and a look ahead at Saturday's crucial clash against Leeds - from goalscorer Kyel Reid to come tomorrow.

Charlton v Norwich, 17/04/10

Couple of pieces for the Shopper following Charlton's defeat to promoted Norwich this past Saturday:

CHARLTON hope to have their promotion hopes boosted by the return of key players from injury in time for the run-in. (read more)

DEON Burton is confident of playing a part in the remainder of Charlton’s run-in after shaking off a knee injury. (read more)

Sam Bartram - The Story Of A Goalkeeping Legend (2010, Mike Blake)

In 2006, Mike Blake released a critically-acclaimed retrospect of Charlton legend Sam Bartram complete with classic photos, programme cover scans and all sorts of Bartram trivia. Re-released in 2010, the book is bigger, updated and packed full of even more nostalgic glory. You can find my exclusive review of the biography right here on the News Shopper website.

Semedo enjoying best ever season at Charlton

JOSE Semedo could cap what he regards as his career-best season by earning promotion with Charlton as well as the club’s player of the year award. More

Bailey: No more slip-ups

CHARLTON skipper Nicky Bailey admitted the Addicks cannot afford any more points dropped if they’re to remain contenders for the heavily contested second place in League One. Read more

Southampton v Charlton, 10/04/10

MICHAIL Antonio’s first-half strike gave Southampton a valuable three points and put a huge dent in Charlton’s automatic promotion hopes.

In a high energy game played to a cracking atmosphere all around St Marys Stadium, the Jamaican-born youngster fired home the decisive goal ten minutes before half-time to give manager Alan Pardew the last laugh on his former club. (Match report)

This game also featured my debut for the Football League Paper, and my report and manager match reactions graced p24-25 of the April 11th edition (see below). The first of many? Hope so.

Sodje hopes to overtake striker sibling

His goal made the difference as Charlton defeated Carlisle 1-0 at The Valley on Easter Monday, and he's now one goal shy of his brother, a striker, in the Addicks scoring charts this season. Centre-back Sam Sodje discusses friendly competition with Akpo and Saturday's trip to Southampton here.

Addicks loan star's three point plan (News Shopper, 05/04/10)

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/7984856.Addicks_loan_star_s_three_point_plan/

MK Dons v Charlton, 03/04/10

An on-the-final-whistle match report as well as reaction from boss Phil Parkinson on Charlton's hard-fought victory over the Dons at stadium:mk:

Forster's first nicks it for Addicks

Parky praises professional Addicks

Wrestlemania XXVI - 28/03/10, Phoenix, Arizona

So yeah I stayed up for the big event last night. More importantly, while I found the show entertaining enough, even more interesting was the polarising feedback from those esteemed internet website commenters. So I'll tackle the show head on and see where my own analysis gets me:

Huddersfield Town v Charlton Athletic, 27/03/10

Click here for my News Shopper match report from the Galpharm as the Addicks battled for a deserved point in Huddersfield.

Bellamy brace gives U18s victory

Below is my first report on Charlton's Academy starlets in over six months. Was nice to return to the training ground and see how the lads are doing since I last watched them in action against Bolton U18s.

Charlton U18s 2 Coventry U18s 1

Charlton v Gillingham (20/03/10)

Plenty of reaction from the Addicks' entertaining 2-2 stalemate with local rivals Gillingham, including worrying news on possible new additions to the injured list, Parky's analysis of the half-time jeers and the upcoming run-in and skipper Nicky Baileys thoughts on Gills midfielder Adam Miller:

Parky: Millwall result brought out Valley boo boys

Bailey thriving in opposition clashes

Addicks suffer Youga blow

For more sports news in the SE London and Kent areas, check out http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport

End Of The Line (2007)

Just to pad out the blog a little in its early form, here's a dialogue I had published a few years ago in BRAND Magazine.

Blogging begins

At long last, I have my own blog.

It'll take a while to really get this going but I'll be hopefully updating this with links to my reports and reviews as well as random thoughts on television, movies, sporting events and whatever else should I be stuck near the trusty laptop and feel like throwing some more thoughts out there.

At the very least, it'll finally bring all of my work links together on one convenient page, but who knows where this'll go, eh?