Breacker joy as Addicks put Pirates to the sword

27 November 2009

CHARLTON'S recent renaissance has been sparked by a wealth of new attacking options, assistant manager Tim Breacker claimed in the wake their 4-2 win over Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night, writes Fintan Quinn.

The four-goal haul means the Addicks have now scored nine in their last two home games and, encouragingly, six different names have appeared on the scoresheet in that period. The SE7 outfit signalled their intent on Tuesday night from the off and had the ball in the net after just four minutes in their latest win.

"We feel we've got goals in our team," Breaker said. "Earlier on in the season, we had one centre forward and played in a different style. Teams came here and started to make it very difficult for us and games were looking a little bit stale, but we have a 'Plan B' now and it's good for us.

"Both David Mooney and Akpo Sodje have been great and we would like to keep them, but they are on loan and it would be unfair to speculate on their availability."

On-loan Reading striker Mooney opened the scoring against Rovers after visiting goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen was only able to parry a Deon Burton effort.

Burton himself then added a second from the penalty spot on 16 minutes after Miguel Llera was hauled down inside the area at a corner. With four minutes left in the first period, Jeff Hughes undeservedly reduced the deficit with a penalty after Christian Dailly had seemingly tugged Jo Kuffour's shirt.

In the second period, the visitors began to press and on 56 minutes levelled proceedings when Chris Lines rose highest to nod home a corner.

After almost falling behind themselves, the Floyd Road outfit regained the lead when captain Nicky Bailey scrambled home a Mooney effort which had come off the bar. And Phil Parkinson's right hand man Breacker was full of praise for last season's leading scorer, adding: "He's a good player, a good lad and a good captain. He leads by example and we're delighted with him because he scores goals, dictates the play and helps out defensively."

For the second time in as many games, Sodje came off the bench and got himself a goal when he crashed home from inside the box with four minutes to play. Although they had squandered a two-goal lead, the result was no less than the Addicks deserved and a fighting spirit which was evidently lacking last season has clearly been discovered.

Charlton: Ikeme, Youga (Omozusi 23), Basey, Dailly, Llera, Sam, Semedo, Bailey, Shelvey (Wagstaff 74), Mooney (Akpo Sodje 82), Burton. Subs not used: Randolph, Racon, Spring, McLeod. Att: 15,885.