Sunday 2 February 2020

Charlton Athletic 2 v 1 Barnsley

Saturday 1st February 2020
EFL Championship
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 19,870 (1,083 away)


It was back to The Valley today, for what felt like a bigger occasion than usual. On the back of a terrible run that just keeps going on and on, which has seen just one win in 16 games and Charlton drop down to 21st place in the table, just four points and one point above the relegation zone. Today's opponents were one of the teams below Charlton, so this game would certainly fall into the "must not lose" category, if the Addicks were not going to be really dragged into the dogfight. A bigger than normal crowd was also assured thanks to the club's new owners running a promotion for this fixture for all season ticket holders to "Bring a Friend for Free". I duly obliged, bringing my girlfriend, who had a rare Saturday off of work, making a day of it with a visit to Borough Market for some Thai street food before the game, and drinks at the Old Thameside Inn afterwards.



Charlton have not played since a gritty 0-0 draw with Fulham last time a week and a half ago, and were looking for their first win since a Boxing Day victory against Bristol City. From their 29 league games so far, Charlton had won seven and drawn nine of their nine league games. Barnsley had lost their last two league games, and were four points adrift of safety and Charlton, following five wins and nine draws from their 29 league games. When the two clubs met at Oakwell in mid August, the match finished 2-2 with Charlton twice coming from behind, rescuing a point thanks to an 89th minute penalty from Lyle Taylor.



A match report can be viewed by clicking here, and brief video highlights by clicking here.

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