Check before you set out. (Charlton Match Day Thread)

M'c was one of the reasons we were relegated.

Archetypal game of two halves. We were terrible first half and Belshaw saved us from being 3 or 4 down at the break. Evans our only bright spot with two long range efforts one saved by their keeper one whistled narrowly wide. Shape and set up looked all wrong and lop sided. Gordon too far advanced and their winger getting in behind him and Sinclair too deep. Not sure what has happened to Macca but not worth his place at the moment. Ig needed to be changed and credit to B***** when ghat was done there was only one team in it. Two excellent finishes from Marquis - he really looks the part now. Ref was poor but not the worst we have had. Inconsistency my main gripe. Two yellows for Coutts and Evans for nothing challenges yet none for them for similar or worse like flattening Coburn. Great day out impressive stadium which looked really empty with 12000 in it

Stats: Charlton 1 BRFC 2 - 46% - 54% - Shots 13-11 - On Target 5-5 - Corners 9-3 - Yellows 0-2 - Referee: Sam Allison - Attendance: 12,340 (Away 1339)

A John Marquis double ensured all three points for Rovers at a bitterly-cold Valley.

Rovers made one change from Tuesday's 4-1 drubbing of MK Dons in the Papa John's Trophy, with Josh Coburn replacing the injured Jordan Rossiter. Aaron Collins maintained his 100% appearance record after an injury scare to join Coburn up top, with two-goal midweek hero John Marquis on the bench.

There was an early scare for Rovers after a Rak-Sakyi header forced Belshaw into a flying one-handed save in the third minute.

The Gas goalkeeper was called into action again three minutes later as he pushed Stockley's long-range effort behind for a corner and required treatment after colliding with the post. Thankfully, the number one was deemed fine to continue.

Charlton had begun the game brightly after relieving ex-Rovers manager Ben Garner of his duties the previous week, and Belshaw had to be alert again to save Rak-Sakyi's close-range drive. Even better was to come in the 20th minute as the stopper somehow kept out Stockley's point-blank header.

However, from the resulting corner, Inniss gave the hosts a deserved lead with a well-placed header.

Individual brilliance from Evans nearly drew the Gas level in the 25th minute, beating two men and curling a shot on target that Maynard-Brewer did well to push away.

The midfielder saw yellow two minutes later after a quick free-kick went wrong and he pulled the shirt of Fraser. From their free-kick, Charlton nearly went two-up, as Blackett-Taylor escaped down the right and his dangerous cross was intercepted by the overworked Belshaw.

Sinclair showed some nice wing play in the 40th minute, but his cross was too close to the home 'keeper as the Gas looked to find a way back into the game.

Evans then let fly from distance, with Maynard-Brewer rooted to his spot; unfortunately it was just too high. Collins was upended as the half drew to a close to give the Gas a free-kick in a promising area. Evans' delivery was headed behind for a corner.

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The hosts cleared, only for Coutts to be fouled to hand Rovers another chance to deliver the ball into the area; Evans drilled his cross straight at Maynard-Brewer and a disappointing half was brought to an end by referee Allison.

Luca Hoole was drafted into the action for the second period, replacing James Connolly. Coutts was booked for a late tackle as the Gas looked to exert some authority onto proceedings. Marquis was next to enter the fray, replacing McCormick, prompting a change of shape for Rovers with Sinclair sitting just behind the strikers.

Out of nothing, Marquis robbed Fraser and curled a shot into the top corner to get Rovers back on parity.

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Rovers almost made it two as Maynard-Brewer was forced into a sprawling save to deny Coburn. From the corner, Thomas headed narrowly over.

Collins then fired from distance but too close to the increasingly-busy Maynard-Brewer. Marquis was desperately unlucky not to score his second after 67 minutes as Coburn's cross bounced off him with the goal gaping.

At the other end, a Charlton free header from a corner flew inches wide as the game started to become stretched. Evans then blazed over the bar from distance after the ball was punched clear.

Marquis did make it 2-1 to the Gas in the 72nd minute, as Coburn let the ball run for the striker to slot calmly beyond a helpless Maynard-Brewer to ensure all three points for Rovers who sit in ninth place at Christmas. Three points off the play-off places.

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Next up for Rovers is a Boxing Day clash with Wycombe at Adams Park.

Rovers: James Belshaw, James Connolly, Lewis Gordon, Scott Sinclair, Aaron Collins, Paul Coutts (c), Lewis Gibson, Antony Evans, Luke McCormick, Bobby Thomas, Josh Coburn.

Substitutes: Jaakkola, Kilgour, Marquis, Saunders, Whelan, Gibbons, Hoole.

Charlton: Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Sean Clare, Sam Lavelle, Ryan Inniss, Steven Sessegnon, George Dobson, Jack Payne, Scott Fraser, Corey Blackett-Taylor, Jayden Stockley (c), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Subs: Nathan Harness, Albie Morgan, Charlie Kirk, Chuks Aneke, Miles Leaburn, Richard Chin, Zach Mitchell.

After the first twenty minutes yesterday it could have been a Pride Park type goal fest for the hosts, but the heroics of Belly kept Rovers in the game.

It was a poor first half for the Gas but with 100 league games under his belt and a decent squad B***** can be relied on to introduce a plan B confirming that football is a game of two half's.

It was good to watch JM pouncing on defensive errors for his 2 well taken strikes.......should January see Coburn and/or Collins depart BS7 an in form 9 will be essential to maintain progress.

With Rovers 3 points off the play off positions and City 3 points above the drop zone only 16 places separate the 2 Bristol clubs......if momentum can be sustained what are the odds of Rovers being in a play off position and City manager-less languishing in a relegation slot come the end of January?

Really looking forward to the second half of the season when the so called big sides will be visiting the Mem' - if we can hang onto Coburn and Collins beyond January we could witness some great encounters in our Shabby Stadium.

That's a well hidden BG tie in on a Charlton v Gas thread! 👍

Fantastic poachers goal for the first of ours and another where Marquis is in a Cureton like position. Thanks for this. Great stuff 

Yes, they’ve dropped so far. I’d never wish those last two places on anyone, the pain of that last 15 minutes back in 2014 watching from the Thatchers and realising the inevitable was about to happen is too horrible to contemplate.

But the way the owner had a few digs at Wael and our club during lockdown and the end of it and when they re-signed Elmer and their fans were giving it some on their forum about us going down etc. etc. there’s a sense of karma about where they are. But I think Harris is a decent manager and if he can solve their goalless problem they should be ok. I may be wrong but I think, without looking, that their defence isn’t too bad it’s their attack which is rubbish. That seems to ring bells with us in 2014!

But who cares after a great win for us yesterday. Great day, well done to JB and the team.

UTG!


edit: Just checked the Gills have scored 6 league goals all season!!  Blimey, makes our attack in 13/14 look prolific! 

Behind about 1,500,000 others....