Charlton 2-1 Blackpool
5:03pm Saturday 12th January 2013 in Latest Sport By Paul Green
Scott Wagstaff scores on his return to the side. PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD.
FIRST half goals from Johnnie Jackson and Scott Wagstaff sealed a victory for Charlton over managerless Blackpool at a freezing Valley.
Substitute Nathan Eccleston grabbed a late consolation for the Tangerines but the Addicks survived the scare to pick up a first home win since late November.
Blackpool should have been in front as early as the second minute when Kevin Phillips rose high to meet Nathan Delfouneso’s cross, only for the veteran striker to see Matt Taylor clear his header off the line.
Chris Basham burst into the area after shaking off the attentions of Michael Morrison but having done the hard part he then placed a shot harmlessly behind.
Taylor had to leave the field for a spell of treatment on a head injury, the last thing the Addicks needed with their lack of central defensive options.
Thankfully he returned bandaged up and this didn’t stop him having a 21st minute header cleared off the line by Delfouneso after he met a Jackson corner.
But it was Jackson who fired the hosts in front two minutes later with a low shot from the edge of the area which just went beyond the reach of Tangerines keeper Matt Gilks.
Isaiah Osbourne’s 30 yard attempt went straight at Ben Hamer, while Wagstaff was furious after a trip on him just outside of the area went unpunished and play was allowed to continue.
Alex Baptiste’s 41st minute overhead kick was easily saved by Hamer but it was Charlton who doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time.
Lawrie Wilson provided an excellent cross which Yann kermorgant met with his head.
The striker’s effort was saved by Gilks but Wagstaff was ideally placed to fire home the loose ball and give Charlton a crucial two-goal interval lead.
After a slow start to the second period, Dale Stephens was booked for a late tackle on Chris Basham.
Bradley Pritchard’s 62nd minute effort from 20 yards flew just wide, as did Thomas ince’s attempt froma similar distance at the opposite end nine minutes later.
Callum Harriott came on for Wagstaff in the 74th minute as manager Chris Powell made his first change and the youngster instantly won a corner after shaking off a Blackpool defender.
Stephens made way for Ricardo Fuller two minutes from the end and although there was still time for one time Charlton loanee Eccleston to volley home a late consolation for the visitors, it came far too late in the game to deny the Addicks a deserved three points.
Charlton travel to Blackburn Rovers next Saturday looking for a third straight league win.
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Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Evina, Stephens (Fuller 88), Jackson, Pritchard, Wilson, Wagstaff (Harriott 74), Kermorgant. Subs not used: Button, Ajayi, Fox, Green, Wright-Phillips.
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