Saints booked their place in the Southern semi-final of the Johnstones Paint Trophy with a much more comfortable victory over Charlton Athletic than the 2-1 scoreline suggests. Wayne Thomas scored his first goal for the club and Rickie Lambert made the game safe before Leon McKenzie’s late consolation for the visitors.

Alan Pardew made just one change to the side that won at Bristol Rovers on Friday night, with Bartosz Bialkowski given an opportunity in goal in place of the rested Kelvin Davis. Dean Hammond took the captain’s armband. The visitors were looking to bounce back from their embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Northwich Victoria on Sunday.

Saints started brightly looking to take advantage of the lack of confidence in the Charlton side, and Michail Antonio forced a corner in the first minute. Lloyd James took it and floated it to the far post. Carl Ikeme came for it but got nowhere near it, leaving Hammond a free header at the far post but somehow he put it wide.

The visitors were barely able to get out of their own half, the swirling wind and driving rain not really helping their cause much, but Scott Wagstaff got lucky with a deflection to get a shot on target but Bialkowski was barely troubled by the weak effort.

Saints’ dominance eventually paid off just past the half-hour mark. A James corner somehow evaded a number of bodies in the six-yard box and fell for Thomas to lash the ball into the roof of the net from close range. In truth, it looked as though it hit him rather than the other way around, but they all count! David Connolly, making his first start at St Mary’s, nearly got in on the act just a minute later when he hit a curling shot from the corner of the area that whistled about a foot past the far post.

Antonio went even closer when he found space on the corner of the area and hit a fizzing shot which Ikeme parried onto the post. Adam Lallana collected the rebound and laid the ball across for Connolly, but his legs were taken from under him by Miguel Llera. Somehow, referee Paul Taylor managed to miss it and waved away the penalty appeals.

Half-Time: Saints 1-0 Charlton Athletic

Saints were forced into a substitution at half-time with Neal Trotman coming on for Morgan Schneiderlin, who had picked up an ankle knock. This led to a bit of a reshuffle with Wayne Thomas moving to right-back and Lloyd James pushed forward into the centre of midfield.

The changes didn’t affect the balance of play, though, as Saints kept pouring forward. Antonio found himself in some space on the right wing and pulled the ball back for Rickie Lambert to hit a powerful effort that appeared to be clearly blocked by the arm of Llera, but again Taylor waved away the loud appeals for a penalty.

Papa Waigo was introduced just before the hour mark in place of Connolly, and he immediately got involved. Lallana’s clever through-ball allowed him to turn inside Kelly Youga and attempt to curl the ball into the far corner, but Ikeme made a good save to tip it wide. From the resulting corner, the ball fell for Lallana on the edge of the area and his shot was destined for the bottom corner until it took a late deflection off a defender and flew just past the post.

Charlton finally woke up from their slumber to muster a shot on goal when David Mooney forced Bialkowski into a smart stop at his near post, but within a minute Saints finally made their pressure count. Neat buildup play between Papa Waigo and Lallana down the left saw Lallana tee up Lambert 20 yards out and he made a bit of space for himself before hitting a powerful shot into the bottom corner. Ikeme got a hand on it, but it was always too powerful for him to keep out.

Christian Dailly, who had a loan spell at St Mary’s two years ago, became the only person to have his name taken by the referee all evening when he grabbed Lambert to prevent him supporting Lallana on a counter-attack and didn’t let go until the move had broken down. Taylor sensibly allowed Lallana to continue as he was in full flow, although he had to beat the entire defence on his own as Lambert wasn’t able to get forward to help him!

Saints were happy to play on the counter-attack for the remaining 15 minutes, which allowed the visitors to finally create some half-decent chances. Deon Burton sliced a cross miles wide when it seemed easier to score, but it took until injury time before they finally got a breakthrough. Luke Holden’s cross was met by substitute Leon McKenzie to head home, meaning Saints have still only kept three clean sheets all season.

Fortunately, it doesn’t really matter when we’re able to score goals at the rate we’re currently finding the net, and the majority of the near 14,000 crowd (comfortably the biggest in the whole competition so far) won’t be thinking about the supposed defensive frailties, particularly if this cup run ends with a trip to Wembley in March.

Saturday’s area semi-final draw could see Saints paired with Hereford United, MK Dons or Norwich City. On league position alone, Hereford will be the team everyone wants to play, but on current form, this Saints side will fear nobody.

A sunny afternoon in London

Saints held table-topping Charlton to a 1-1 draw at The Valley this afternoon, although it’s now the fourth time Saints have failed to keep hold of a lead this season. Adam Lallana gave the visitors the lead just before half-time but Deon Burton equalised for the Addicks.

Saints had the better of the first half and could have had the lead as early as the fifth minute. The Charlton defence could only clear as far to Schneiderlin on the edge of the box, and the Frenchman’s perfectly weighted chipped through ball found Mills in space and unmarked, but the youngster saw his shot smothered superbly at close range by Addicks number one, Rob Elliot.

Wayne Thomas continued to fill in at right back in the absence of the injured Murty and seemed to be enjoying the role; getting forward often. The first occasion in which he raced down the right hand side saw his cross only half cleared to Schneiderlin, who struck cleanly, but straight at the keeper.

While the away side seemed to be having the better of the action, there was no denying that when Charlton got the ball, they played with the swagger that had seen them amass maximum points from their opening six games. Racon and Semedo offered bite in the middle of the park, while Bailey and Shelvey added quality on the ball and it was the latter that assisted one of the home side’s few chances of the half, his corner finding Semedo who volleyed over the bar.

The height of Hammond and Schneiderlin in midfield, likewise with Lambert upfront for the Saints, was proving to be key in the Saints having the better of the action; the trio regularly winning balls in the air and laying off to Lallana and Mills on the wing who could create chances.

Infact, it was a cross from the energetic Mills on the left that almost created a goal opportunity, though ex-Saint’s loanee Christian Dailly beat the Lurking Lambert to the ball to turn behind.

Moments later, Lambert held the ball up well for Lallana, who dribbled well, but skewed his shot well wide. Bailey was also missing shooting boots, when he curled over for the hosts.

Saints continued to press though, and were unlucky in their pursuit to open the scoring, when James latched onto a series of head tennis to fire a shot in from 25 yards that Eliot tipped wide.

The breakthrough finally came for Southampton, who earned a deserved lead just before the half time interval. Thomas got forward well and his low cross was met by ADAM LALLANA, who ran diagonally across his marker and swept the ball into the bottom left hand corner, for a cool finish.

Half time: Charlton Athletic 0-1 Southampton

Charlton came out for the second half raring to go and equalised not long after the restart. A move which started from the back, found Shelvey on the left side and the youngster who reportedly turned down an offer from Chelsea in the summer, turned Perry inside out, before crossing from the byline for DEON BURTON to bundle home from close range. Davis was led on the floor claiming a foul by Lloyd Sam as he went to catch the cross, but the goal stood.

The equaliser appeared to spur on the home side, who started to push for a winner. Shelvey seemed to be playing in a free role behind Burton and his direct running was a menace for the Saints rearguard, who just about managed to force him wide, as his shot at the near post was parried by Davis.

Controversy surrounded the game, when the home side had two goals ruled out for offside in quick succession. First, Shelvey latched onto Bailey’s free kick to slot home, before Burton Stole in at the back post to fire in Shelvey’s set piece delivery. It was unclear from my seat to give a judgement, but we’ll thank the referee’s assistant  this time around.

Saints had begun to lose shape and were lacking in discipline, as they allowed Charlton to control the game. However, fortunately enough for the away side, Perry and Trotman were solid enough at the back to repel attacks and Harding at left back had a great game in keeping League One player of the month Lloyd Sam quiet.

There was little the Saints defence could do about Kelly Youga’s run and shot towards the end of the game though, as the left back went on a mazy run, which deserved a goal, but could only find the base of Davis’ post.

The away side slowly got back into the game in the last fifteen minutes and although a clear cut chance was hard to come by, the substitution of debutant Jaidi on for Perry ensured the Saints could close out the game with relative ease. While, there was even time at the end for Papa Waigo to be introduced to English football. His pace will surely aid Saints’ push up the table, as the team looks to be falling into place slowly but surely, in what was a deserved point against the league leaders.

Full Time: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Southampton

Saints’ survival hopes were dealt a hammer blow as they went down 3-2 to bottom-of-the-table Charlton Athletic.

Full report to follow…

Saints have today announced that they are delaying the announcement of season ticket prices for next season until April due to the uncertainty as to which division we’ll be playing in.

With 12 games to go in the Championship, Saints are still three points from safety at the bottom of the table despite successive home wins against promotion-chasing opposition, but while relegation looked very likely two weeks ago, the recent form has suggested the fat lady hasn’t even cleared her throat yet.

The club has also taken the opportunity to try to take advantage of the newly-found feelgood factor after the Preston and Cardiff games by announcing some ticket deals for three of the remaining five home games this season.

Season ticket holders will be able to buy additional tickets for next Tuesday’s game against Derby for just £5 (and those who have already bought tickets can get the difference refunded) - attendances for midweek games this season have been poor, averaging around the 14,500 mark.

The crucial relegation six-pointer against bottom side Charlton Athletic on 4th April has seen tickets reduced across the board with adult tickets priced at £15 and concessions £5 for all areas of the ground. This is the same promotion that was run before Christmas for the Nottingham Forest game, which produced an attendance of nearly 27,000 - a similar attendance would obviously help the club financially, but clearly a much better result will be needed!

Finally, the match against Crystal Palace on Easter Monday has been designated a “Kids for a Quid” game. All tickets for under-16s are just £1. Again, anyone who has already bought tickets for these games can claim a refund of the difference from the ticket office.

Saints battled to a goalless draw against Charlton at the Valley to make it 7 points from the last 9 on the road.

Charlton started the game strongest and were the better side for most of the first period. Unfortunately for them, they were to find Kelvin Davis in top form as he pulled off a number of fine saves.

My View of the action.

The home side showed attacking intention early on and Captain Mark Hudson was unlucky not to force Davis into a save. Fulham loanee Hameur Bouazza swung in a free kick and centre back Hudson lost his marker, but could only guide the ball wide of the post, with an outstretched foot.

The Saints briefly threatened, when good work by Andrew Surman forced Addicks defender Fortune to clear for a corner and Adam Lallana curled just wide from the resulting set play. But it was Charlton who continued to create the better opportunities…

Debutant Jay McEveley strode forward from full back and his long ball found Keith Gillespie, a fellow loanee, in space out wide, but he shot just inches past the post after cutting in from his right wing position.

Southampton keeper Davis was called into action for the first time in the game, when a corner caused a frantic scramble in the box and although the away side’s rearguard did their best to clear, it could only find Bouazza on the edge of the box, who shot fiercely towards goal – Davis saving at full stretch.

Bouazza should have done better moments later, when Gillespie’s cross was headed out by Jack Cork and the Algerian international volleyed wide, but Southampton fared little better infront of goal, when Rudi Skacel’s long range shot failed to test Nicky Weaver.

Gillespie saw his angled drive well saved by Davis, before the Southampton number one made two even better saves towards the end of the first half.

Bouazza played a neat 1-2 with forward Andy Gray and upon receiving the ball looked certain to net a deserved goal, but Davis somehow palmed away his near post effort, as he was diving the other way.

And if that wasn’t enough to impress to Saints fans and ultimately frustrate Charlton’s following, Deon Burton’s acrobatic over-head kicked was tipped wide, when it looked as though the ball was about to beat Davis, who proved to be a thorn in Charlton’s side for the first half at least.

Half time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Southampton

The introduction of Alex Pearce for the Saints at half time; on for the ineffective Jordan Robertson, allowed both Jack Cork and Andrew Surman to push forward into defensive and attacking midfield positions respectively and this appeared to pay off, as the away side commanded proceedings.

Adam Lallana was guilty of a poor effort when he sliced wide from Andrew Surman’s knock down, but at least he made contact with the ball, unlike two fellow attackers soon after. First Lloyd James crossed teasingly for Bradley Wright-Phillips, who was unmarked, but completely fluffed his shot, before James crossed again and David McGoldrick wasn’t alert enough to slide home Lallana’s clever flick.

Southampton’s authority on the second half, with their preferred passing game, coupled with Pearce’s dominance in the air, meant that the home side were now playing on the counter attack, instead of their effective long ball game, which had worked so well in the first half. But it wasn’t working for them, especially when Gillespie attacked on the break and crossed for Burton at the back post who missed completely.

And the Saints soon regained control and perhaps deserved a goal for their efforts that were to follow. First Wright-Phillips played in McGoldrick, who saw his shot saved by Weaver’s legs, Before Surman drove just wide, after Hudson had headed clear Schneiderlin’s cross.

Wright-Phillips saw his effort from Rudi Skacel’s quick throw saved at the near post and the signs were there that he wasn’t to repeat his scoring heroics from the previous week at Reading, when McGoldrick played a defence splitting through ball and the former placed his one on one effort straight at Weaver.

And as the game drew to a close, Southampton looked like they’d have to settle for a draw, when  Nicky Weaver pulled off a great double save from McGoldrick and then substitute Paterson from the rebound.

Full Time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Southampton

Summary

It is fair to say that this was a game of two halves, with Charlton performing better in the first half and Southampton taking control in the second, so a point is indeed a fair result.

With Charlton dominating the first period and Davis having to make several good saves, things could have been different, so in that sense it is a point gained, although we might have stole all three at the end, which arguably would have been a little harsh.

Looking at the home side’s team beforehand, I was a little sceptical about their forward line of Burton and Gray – both physical players, target men to an extent and I didn’t think they’d achieve much by doing so, however it did work and they utilised men from the midfield positions in order to do so. Both forward men held up the ball well enough and they were able to rely on Keith Gillespie and Hameur Bouazza who both picked up on knock downs throughout and it was these two midfielders who had most of the chances.

For Saints, it is pleasing that we are starting to look a little more solid at the back. Perry and Cork are doing a decent job and Pearce did an excellent job in the second half – winning alot of headers. The versatility of Cork means we have been able to work out our best defensive line up and he has done well in a number of positions, while Chris Perry has oozed experience and calmness in recent weeks, which has helped.

It was difficult to break down Charlton and get our game going in the first half, given the nature of their attacks – the ball up in the air alot, so it was not a surprise that we didn’t create too many opportunities, but in the second half we did look better and just need to be a little more clinical infront of goal.

Saints look to pile more misery onto Charlton Athletic as they visit The Valley tomorrow.

The Addicks parted company with Alan Pardew in the wake of their 5-2 home battering by Sheffield United last Saturday and they go into tomorrow’s game with Phil Parkinson in temporary charge. Parkinson won’t have fond memories of the Saints as his last game before being sacked by Hull two years ago was a 4-2 defeat at the KC Stadium against us. Parkinson’s first game as Charlton boss was the Tuesday night 2-1 defeat at QPR where former Saint Dexter Blackstock scored both goals.

From the 26 meetings in London, at Charlton’s various homes, Saints have managed 7 wins and 8 draws. Charlton have won 11, so they’ve got the upper hand on the head-to-head, as you’d expect from the home team. Both of our last two visits have ended in draws. Last season saw Stern John’s looping header somehow creep in at the far post to give Saints the lead only for Andy Gray’s header with 20 minutes to go to rescue a point for the Addicks.

The home side have gone 9 games without a win (including three defeats in a row, conceding 10 goals). The cynical among us would suggest that means it’ll be a guaranteed home win - we do seem to have a terrific ability to end teams’ poor runs of form - but I’ll stick my neck out and say I can’t really see far past a third consecutive draw for us at the Valley. A win would open up a much more comfortable gap between us and the bottom three. The gap is currently 4 points - a Charlton win would of course narrow that to just one point.

Jan Poortvliet is expected to name an unchanged side from Tuesday’s goalless draw against Plymouth. He, and indeed all of us, will be hoping the three days between the two games will have been enough to inject some much needed energy after the high-energy performance at Reading and in the first half on Tuesday. Michael Svensson is unavailable after he lasted only 11 minutes of a reserve game on Wednesday after picking up an achilles injury, Jason Euell serves the final game of his three-match ban and Tomas Pekhart is likely to miss out with an ankle injury.

For Charlton, new loan signings Deon Burton, Jay McEveley and Keith Gillespie are expected to play some part, while Zheng Zhi - their key player last season - is still out with a foot injury.