Charlton Athletic FC : Walsall FC

This was the second time we were in London at the turn of the year, so going to a game on New Year's Day was already part of a tradition ;-)

After the New Year's Eve 2018 with steeldarts, beer and burgers, they started 2019 with the New Year's Day Parade. However, this was not very exciting and was more like a motorcade and marching band concert. The most entertaining part was the guard in front of Kazakhstan House. Whether Mr. Bean had dressed up here or the New Year's Eve party was too exhausting, could not be determined until the end.

Then we went by train to Charlton to watch the game of Charlton Athletic against Walsall FC. While the club was still playing in the Premier League 10 years ago, it now oscillates between the 2nd and 3rd divisions. Currently, however, they are well back in the race for promotion to the second highest division.

And Charlton seemed to back up this claim very quickly. After 6 minutes, Karlan Ahearne-Grant scored the quick opening goal for the home side after a fine attack and a beautiful "Gurkerl". The pressure remained high and Walsall did not seem to be able to cope at all. A somewhat unnecessary foul in the penalty area gave Charlton a penalty which Lyle Taylor was able to convert for a 2-0 lead.

The home team kept control of the game and only towards the end of the first half did Walsall seem to have got into the game. Just before the break Charlton just managed to avoid conceding a goal with a save on the line. This trend continued after the break and Walsall scored almost with the restart through Andy Cook.

After that the visitors took over more and more and Charlton were pushed further and further into their own half. They were able to launch a few counterattacks now and then, but in the end their efforts remained too harmless. Walsall, on the other hand, pressed more and more and the equaliser was practically in the air. In the last minutes of the game, however, both teams were out of steam and almost nothing happened. The home team managed the narrow lead and secured 3 important points in the fight for promotion.