Addicks halt Glovers run to safety

Skivvo up for managerial award

YEOVIL Town missed the chance to continue their recent run to safety in npower League One when they were beaten by a single strike from Bradley Wright-Phillips, his second winning goal in four days for Charlton Athletic since his move from Plymouth Argyle on transfer deadline day.

He found space from a corner just after the hour to head home from six yards for his 15th goal of the season, and condemn Yeovil to just their second defeat in ten league games.

Yeovil will claim that referee Karl Evans from Greater Manchester spoiled their chances of getting something from the game when he failed to send off former Tottenham central defender Gary Doherty for what appeared a nailed on second yellow card when he downed Andy Williams as he made his way to goal with 12 minutes to go.

After allowing the game to carry on, Evans then called Doherty across and gave him a lecture but failed to caution him, which having already booked him in the first half for bringing down Ollie Johnson would have meant dismissal.

He then turned down three strong appeals for penalties in Yeovil’s favour in the closing minutes, which could have given the Glovers at least a share of the points.

Once again a referee’s decision has influenced the result, but I believe Terry Skiverton’s decision to stick with Ollie Johnson was also a reason for his side’s lack of goal power.

Apart from skipper Paul Huntingdon with two efforts, one of them a golden opportunity with a free header early on that could have changed the game, and a couple of efforts from loanee Andrew Tutte, who looks a good prospect, Yeovil’s attack failed to trouble the Addick’s defence too much.

I was critical of Johnson on my first look at him against Plymouth midweek, but anybody can have an off day, and so was looking forward to a better performance.

However he never had a look in against the experienced central defensive pairing of Doherty and former Rangers and Scottish international Christian Dailly.

His main asset, his speed did in fact bring the booking for Doherty, but he was far too lightweight and inexperienced to outwit his markers and as a consequence was rarely in the game.

Despite his critics, Sam Williams appeared to be a much better option. Tall, hardworking and robust, he would have put the duo under so much more pressure.

The recent turn of fortune has seen Terry Skiverton nominated for the npower League One Manager of the Month award. Skivo is up against Huddersfield boss Lee Clarke, Brighton’s Gus Poyet and the Rochdale manager Keith Hill.

By the same token, a series of brilliant displays capped by three goals has seen skipper Paul Huntingdon nominated for the League One Player of the Month, where he is contention against Bournemouth striker Liam Feeney, Brighton’s Elliott Bennett and Rochdale’s Craig Dawson.

Yeovil have signed Republic of Ireland under-18 international Danny Fitsimons until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old left back was a product of Millwall’s youth system, but moved to QPR last summer.

He was lately on loan at Blue Square Premier side Histon where he made six appearances.

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