Charlton v County
A chance to join City and United in the third round hat, if we can win an FA Cup game in London for the first time since 1938
Friday 25 November 2022
It’s ‘London Calling’ for Dave Challinor’s men this weekend, on FA Cup duty at Charlton, and I’ve been calling my fellow County content providers over the last couple of days to get their thoughts ahead of our trip to the capital.
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Des Junior
Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Paddy Madden’s out for two games with an ingrown toenail…blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham since 1672.
Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content providers to call upon. And this week, they’re a cagey bunch, after everyone had us down to beat the leaders Leyton Orient last week. Nobody’s sticking their neck on the line for a cup upset at The Valley, although a couple think we might bring them back to SK3, like we did with another League One team this time last year…
Sam Byrne, Stockport Express
Charlton 1 County 0
Dave Challinor made seven changes for the Swindon game in round one. What do you think is in his mind for round two in terms of team selection?
I’d say we’ll be looking at something of a hybrid team of his strongest side mixed with players who need minutes. Maybe something like the Leicester Carabao Cup game but with a tad more strength.
We’re coming to a crucial stage of the season in terms of league form, the next month or two will be hectic and I think that’s what’ll come first in Challinor’s mind. A typically battling performance at Charlton regardless of the eleven but maybe just too much of a task to edge through to the third round.
Nick Lee, The Scarf Bergara Wore
Charlton 3 County 3
What’s your best ever County FA Cup memory?
Nothing's going to top the Bolton replay for me. A winter's night under the floodlights, some absolutely batshit goals, a club legend atoning for his earlier mistake and all round probably the greatest game I've ever seen in my life. Alex Scott at EP as well, despite the court order dictating she needs to leave me alone.
Honourable mention for the defeat to a nine-man MUFC Reenactment Society though. That was peak Banter Years™.
Continuing with the batshit mental theme I'm going for a 3-3 draw tomorrow with us being both ahead and behind at some point. Magic of the cup and all that.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
Charlton 4 County 3
Win at Charlton on Saturday, or win at Hartlepool in the league next week. You can only choose one…
Well, that scoreline tells you my choice, but do not be surprised should we nick both games!
I will be more than happy to ‘concentrate on the league’ after tomorrow and start that process with a comfortable win next Saturday. This will be some measure of revenge for all the draughty Tuesday nights and Saturday afternoons we have spent in Hartlepool frequently being robbed over the years. Payback also for their temerity in taking advantage of Simon Wilson/Simon Rusk’s naivety in letting them steal Bennett from us, and with him promotion to the league. We are expected to win, and we will, won’t we?
Back to tomorrow though and I genuinely think this could go either way. We beat them home and away in the league in 1997-98, our first season in the now Championship. And in 2007, we ran a very good young Charlton team close, being unlucky to lose 4-3 in the League Cup. I just do not see this current Athletic side as being anywhere near as good as that 2007 side, indeed they do have a rather attractive tendency to leak goals, so bring it on.
But, nail me to the floor, demand I choose, and I will take the points over FA Cup glory!
Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show
Charlton 1 County 1
There’s no County Away Day Show this week as you’re back in the north-east visiting family. So for any County fans sorting out their own tunes for the journey down to London, what’s your top five Cockney playlist?
1) ‘Lovestruck’ - Madness
As a child of the 80s, Camden’s finest seven-piece were very much my first musical love, and given the longevity and consistent excellence of their oeuvre, the choice of just one song for our journey south has not been straightforward! I'm going for this later and perhaps lesser known single, which for me stands right up there with any of the more celebrated numbers - three and a half minutes of pop perfection, and with a reference to waking up after a long night out, trapped without the taxi fare in 'Deepest Tottenham', which gives it the London edge to make the cut.
2) ‘The Only Living Boy in New Cross’ - Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
You don't seem to hear Carter USM so much these days, so it’s easy to forget that during their prolific early 90s heyday the capital-based duo were a very big deal indeed. This was one of their bigger hits and I love how it starts slowly then explodes into life.
3) ‘This is Radio Etienne’ / ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’ - Saint Etienne
I'm cheating slightly here as strictly speaking two songs, but they're yoked together at the start of the album on which they feature and demand to be played in tandem, as inseparable (and irresistable) as Armstrong and Francis. There's something about that opening snatch of French football radio commentary that just sends shivers through me, every time.
4) ‘Sexuality’ - Billy Bragg
Again I'm possibly cheating, as Barking, where everyone's favourite ex tank-driving Socialist troubadour hails from, is just over the border in Essex. I'm sure he thinks of himself as a Londoner though (and if he doesn't, then he should). You don't get many pop songs referencing both Robert De Nero and Red Star Belgrade - so when you do get one, you have to put it in your playlist.
5) ‘Preposterous Tales’ - I, Ludicrous
These boys shimmered so briefly in the indiepop firmament of the late 80s that you could have been forgiven for missing them, but while they shone - oh my goodness! They're in fine form here, in a number recounting a night out down a London boozer with a heavy-drinking mate named Ken, who reckons he once saw Crystal Palace win 5-0 away from home. The identity of the opposition is not revealed, but if we find out it was County, then they're coming right off the playlist.
Click here for Geordie Hatter’s Cockney/Charlton away day playlist on Spotify.
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Stockport photo of the day
Stockport train station
I was very close to compiling a strongly worded letter to Avanti after walking through the train station the other day. In a list of destinations, how dare they put Edgeley Park behind a hospital, an air raid shelter, and even a bloody bus station! Then I realised it’s in alphabetical order, so I’ll let them off.
Today in SK
🇺🇸 A Country Night In Nashville recreates the scene of a buzzing Honky-Tonk in downtown Nashville, perfectly capturing the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of country music. Prepare to be transported on a musical journey through the history of Country, featuring songs from its biggest stars both past and present. Hits from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson, Dolly to The Chicks, Willie Nelson to Kacey Musgraves, are showcased by the amazing Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes. 7.30pm at Stockport Plaza. Tickets from £25.
⚽️ After Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Serbia last night, we’ve now seen all 32 teams play at this year’s World Cup. Today, the real excitement starts, with qualification and elimination on the line. Iran are going home if they lose to Wales (10am), hosts Qatar will probably be knocked out later today if they lose to Senegal (1pm), and England can book a place in the round of 16 with a game to spare if they beat USA (7pm). All of today’s games are live at Bask on their 75” screens.
🐟 As it’s Friday, are you having a chippy tea tonight? If you are, head over to The Sea Shell on Derby Range in Heaton Moor. Take your County season ticket and receive 10% off your order. Open until 9pm. (Card payments only.)
Matt Walker ‘eats’ the World Cup
🏴 No 4 - Wales (London Welsh Centre)
“Enjoyed a Bale Ale more than a torrid first half against USA. Perhaps the Wales team also had a Glamorgan sausage roll at half-time. Fantastic scenes as Wales secured a deserved equaliser.”
One of my favourite football books is Matt Walker’s Europe United, in which the author and Fulham fan spends a whole season taking in a game in all 55 UEFA countries. Well he’s back with another fun challenge, to experience Qatar 2022 in restaurants and bars across London which represent all 32 competing nations. I was going to attempt this myself but apparently there aren’t any Welsh bars in Woodsmoor. But fear not, Matt has kindly allowed me to use his photos and I’ll bring you one each day, giving you a tasty flavour of the World Cup, in more ways than one.
Surely that court order should have expired by now Nick, it does seem a little unfair on Alex to be denied your charms sine die!