Charlton Athletic 2 v Hull City 1 - EFL Championship

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-2-v-hull-city-1

Saturday 25.4.26

EFL Championship

Charlton Athletic (1) 2

Charlie Kelman 20

Jayden Fevrier 68

Hull City (1) 1

John Egan 45 + 7

Attendance: 20,671 inc. 2,387 away fans

Long-winded weekend preview. Charlton Athletic v Hull City and some other stuff.

Sadly, tomorrow will see the 20th and last ever issue of the MOD Mag hitting the streets. It's going to be a sorely missed publication. In much the same way that Voice of the Valley has been since it disappeared in paper format back in October 2022. 

Acting like the very generous kind of good egg, that I very occasionally am, I have been on that there Temu site to order a set of ten very stylish red pens bearing the lettering ‘THE66POW 2026-27’, to distribute among my nearest and dearest pals at the Valley.
Alas, when I opened the package, the writing utensils were actually blue, which I guess I can sort of live with… and they had accidentally sent me twenty, when I had only paid for ten. Result! An absolute bargain then!?
Erm, not quite, because they had embossed them with the wrong wording. But, at least when I’ve shared them out, everyone will be getting two ‘Shalom Academy’ pens each instead of just one. I can only imagine how happy their little faces are going to be when they see what I’ve got for them.
Charlton Athletic 2025-26 - A Brief Résumé: There are those among my circle of friends who reckoned that the Addicks were going into Wednesday night’s game against Ipswich Town off the back of their worse performance of the season, at Hillsborough on Saturday.
They obviously weren’t present at the Hawthorns then, when Nathan Jones’ side ground out another excruciatingly painful 1-1 draw, after they had been stuck in traffic on the way to the ground. (On the subject of West Bromwich Albion, they are apparently waiting to find out if they will be deducted any points later today for falling foul of financial rules, with the outcome of their hearing expected to be announced tonight).
But hey! Whichever way they come, points make prizes. Or at least they accommodate avoiding quick returns to the third division, or League 1 as it is called these days, to make it sound less like the shark infested waters than it actually is.
Being difficult to score against, is what will ultimately keep Charlton in the Championship this season…isn't it? It hasn’t been pretty to watch, most of the time, but needs must. And just because I don’t always enjoy these sort of tactics, I can completely understand why such a ‘horses for courses’ and ‘caution prevents abortion’ approach has needed to have been adhered to so regularly.
Every team needs to play to their collective strengths, but offsetting that by working to a plan that makes provision for any apparent shortcomings, disadvantages and weaknesses in your make up is equally, if not even more, important, when you’re not one of the bigger hitters in any given league.
The reality of the season is that Championship has been a humongous step up in quality from League 1, which the south east London side had clawed themselves out of, via the play-offs, at the end of last season… possibly a whole year (at least) before they were completely ready to plunge headfirst into the rigorous demands of second-tier football.
Which kind of explains the fact of why Charlton will start the home game against Hull City sat ever so slightly precariously in twenty-first place in the table and still not mathematically safe from the drop zone. However, despite a fairly indifferent season results-wise, this team of Championship newcomers has never occupied a place in the bottom three all season. What a twist in the tale that could still provide, eh!?
Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City are both already relegated, which will doubtless provide some much needed extra income at the gate for third-tier teams. Oxford United are six points adrift of the Addicks, with both teams still having two games left to play. Following the Hull City game, Nathan Jones’ side will travel to Swansea City on the final day of the season.
Oxford United have a home game against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon, before facing Millwall at the Den next weekend. A win, or even a draw for the Addicks in tomorrow’s early kick-off against the Tigers would mean they were 100% safe from relegation. Likewise, if Oxford fail to beat the Owls, then they themselves will be a League 1 team next season.
If Charlton lose against Hull and Oxford beat Wednesday, it will all go down to the two teams respective final games.
Ipswich Town left the Valley with all three points courtesy of a 1-2 win in midweek, despite Greg Docherty having scored the opening goal inside the first minute. I had to watch the game on TV. I was suited and booted and raring to go, but while I was out and about getting a few errands done, before I set off to London from East Retford upon Idle, I received a notification that the train I had intended to travel on had been cancelled.
Apparently a suicide on the track at Biggleswade was the reason for this… and the subsequent knock on effects in the aftermath would mean that later trains would also be severely disrupted too… ruling out even the slightest chance of getting anywhere near SE7 before half-time.
Problems with the erratic nature of services on the East Coast Mainline have escalated over the last couple of seasons. I’ve tried other alternatives with little or no success or satisfaction whatsoever. And I suspect that the ECML is doomed to become even more unreliable, with no light at the end of the tunnel in sight, so to speak. I'm really going to have to consider my options at the end of this season as regards exposing myself to any of this shit-show on an even semi-regular basis in future.
The novelty of being stranded, late at night, on both London Bridge and Birmingham New Street stations far too frequently, passed its sell by date long ago. There is a very narrow dividing line between being actively loyal to the cause and being completely stupid, for subjecting myself to this inevitable chaos time after time. I've christened this oft repeated activity: Grindhog day!
On that cheery note, I’ll sign off. Enjoy your football at the weekend. Good luck to Charlton Athletic v. Hull City. Good luck to the away supporters on your travels to and from the Valley (because I’ll be using the same trains as you)… and good luck to Retford United in your play-off semi-final in the United Counties League Division 1.
Footnote: 7pm Friday 24.4.26. It was just announced that WBA have been deducted two points for breaching financial rules. Which means that they now have fifty points, the same as Charlton, but the Baggies, who are at home against Ipswich Town tomorrow (also a 12.30 start) have a better goal difference than the Addicks. Kinnel! You can't take your eyes off of this division for a bloomin’ minute.

Sheffield Wednesday 1 v Charlton Athletic 1 - EFL Championship

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/sheffield-wednesday-1-v-charlton

Saturday 18.4.2025

EFL Championship

at Hillsborough Stadium

Sheffield Wednesday (0) 1

Gabriel Otegbayo 76

Charlton Athletic (0) 1

Matty Godden 49

Attendance: 23,513

Charlton Athletic 1 v Preston North End 2 -EFL Championship

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-v-preston-north
Saturday 11.4.26
EFL Championship
Charlton Athletic (1) 1
Joe Rankin-Costello 18
Preston North End (1) 2
Lewis Dobbin 25,
Brad Potts 65
Attendance: 18,902

Northern League Groundhop 2026

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/northern-league-groundhop-2026

Featuring all twelve Groundhop UK, Northern League Easter 2026 games:

Thu 2 Apr - West Auckland Town v Thornaby -  Northern League Div 1 - 7.30pm

Fri 3 Apr - Grangetown Boys Club v Redcar Town - Northern League Div 2 - 11am

Fri 3 Apr - FC Hartlepool v Seaham Red Star - Northern League Div 2 - 2.30pm

Fri 3 Apr - Easington Colliery v Horden CW - Northern League Div 1 - 6pm

Sat 4 Apr - AFC Newbiggin v Alnwick Town - Northern League Div 2 - 11am

Sat 4 Apr - Newcastle Blue Star v Carlisle City - Northern League Div 1 - 2.30pm

Sat 4 Apr - Tow Law Town v Ryton & Crawcrook Albion - Northern League Div 2 - 6.30pm

Sun 5 Apr - Billingham Town v Billingham Synthonia - Northern League Divi 2 - 11am

Sun 5 Apr - Crook Town v Shildon - Northern League Div 1 - 2.30pm

Sun 5 Apr - Durham United v Esh Winning - Northern League Div 2 - 6.30pm

Mon 6 Apr - Jarrow v Boldon CA - Northern League Div 2 - 11am

Mon 6 Apr - Sunderland West End v Sunderland RCA  - Northern League Div 2 - 2.30pm 

Retford FC 3 v Pinxton FC 1 - UCL Division 1

Blog link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/retford-fc-3-v-pinxton-fc-1
Tuesday 31.3.26
UCL Division 1
Retford FC 3
Pinxton FC 1

Retford United 3 v Coalville Town 0 - United Counties League Division 1

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/retford-united-3-v-coalville-town

Saturday 28.3.26 #NonLeagueDay

United Counties League Division 1

Retford United (2) 3

Ben Ashall 5

Ross Duggan 45+2, 55

Attendance 326

Charlton Athletic 0 v Norwich City 1 - EFL Championship

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-0-v-norwich-city

Saturday 21.4.26

EFL Championship

Charlton Athletic (0) 0

Norwich City (1) 1

Attendance: 23,008 inc. 3,327 away fans.

Birmingham City 1 v Sheffield United 1 - EFL Championship

Blog Link:

​​https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/birmingham-city-1-v-sheffield-united​​​

Saturday 14.3.26 #Game92

EFL Championship 

Birmingham City (1) 1

Marvin Ducksch 25

Sheffield United (1) 1 

Patrick Bamford 45+3

Attendance: 27,588

Middlesbrough 0 v Charlton Athletic 1 - EFLChampionship

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/middlesbrough-0-v-charlton-athletic

Wednesday 11.3.26

EFL Championship 

Middlesbrough (0) 0

Charlton Athletic (0) 1

Conor Coady 59

Attendance: 24,668 inc. 450 away fans

Charlton Athletic 1 v Birmingham City 0 - EFL Championship

Blog Link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-1-v-birmingham
Saturday 7.3.26
EFL Championship
Charlton Athletic (0) 1
Charlie Kelman 74
Birmingham City (0) 0
Attendance: 18,541 inc. 3,321 away fans

Two More Blogs: Birmingham City v Middlesbrough & Rotherham United v Mansfield Town

Blog link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/birmingham-city-1-v-middlesbrough

Monday 2.3.26

EFL Championship

Birmingham City (0) 1

Marvin Ducksch 48

Middlesbrough (2) 3

Matt Targett 13, 26

David Strelec 60

Attendance: 26,918

Blog link: 

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/rotherham-united-0-v-mansfield-town

Tuesday 3.3.26

EFL League 1

Rotherham United 0

Mansfield Town 0

Attendance: 9,243 inc. 2,162 away fans.

NWCFL (and West Lancs League Richardson Cup) Groundhop Weekend. All seven games.

Blog and Photos:

NWCFL (and West Lancs League Richardson Cup) Groundhop Weekend. All seven games.

Blog Link:
https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/nwcfl-groundhop-weekend-2026

Fri 27 Feb - Darwen 0 v Colne 0 - NWCFL Div 1 N
Sat 28 Feb - Fulwood Amateurs 2 v Garstang 2 - NWCFL Div 1 N
Sat 28 Feb - Blackpool Wren Rovers 4 v Astley & Buckshaw 0 - West Lancs League, Richardson Cup R3
Sat 28 Feb - Squires Gate 3 v Nelson 5 - NWCFL Div 1 N
Sat 28 Feb - AFC Blackpool 3 v Holker Old Boys 0 - NWCFL Div 1 N
Sun 1 Mar - Atherton LR 2 v Euxton Villa 0 - NWCFL Prem
Sun 1 Mar - Daisy Hill 2 v Steeton 0 - NWCFL Div 1 N

Blog Backlog

Blog Link: https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/backlog

THE66POW hasn't ceased to exist, 'tis merely experiencing an unavoidable backlog of half formed content and material, due to both technological issues and the general tardiness and lazy demeanour of the resident blogger..

Everything should be back to some sort of normality by Monday 9.3.26..

West Bromwich Albion 1 v Charlton Athletic 1 - EFL Championship

Blog link:

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/west-bromwich-albion-1-v-charlton Tuesday 24.2.26

EFL Championship

West Bromwich Albion (1) 1
George Campbell 45+3
Charlton Athletic (0) 1
Lyndon Dykes 70
Attendance: 20,847 inc. 826 away fans

West Bromwich Albion: O’Leary, Campbell (Imray 84), Phillips, Taylor, Styles, Molumby, Diakite (Wallace 74), Mowatt, Johnston, Price (Jimoh-Aloba 84), Maja (Heggebo 65). Unused subs - Wallis, Bielik, Dike, Gilchrist, Bostock.
Charlton Athletic: Kaminski, Ramsay, Jones (Sichenje 35), Bell, Clarke, Coady (Coventry 56), (Carey 90+3), Docherty, Chambers (Fevrier 56), Leaburn (Campbell 46), Dykes. Unused subs - Mannion, Berry, Kelman, Rankin-Costello.

Charlton Athletic 1 v Portsmouth 3 - EFL Championship

Blog Link:

​​https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-1-v-portsmouth​​​

Tuesday 17.2.26

EFL Championship

Charlton Athletic (0) 1

Jayden Fevrier 64

Portsmouth (2) 3

Terry Devlin 22, 56

Colby Bishop 35 pen

Attendance: 18,713 inc. 2,504 away fans.

Birmingham City 1 v Leeds United 1 - Leeds won on pens AET - FA Cup R4

Blog Link: https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/birmingham-city-1-leeds-united-1

Sunday 15th February 2025

FA Cup 4th Round 

Birmingham City (0) 1 

Patrick Roberts 89

Leeds United  (0) 1 

Lukas Nmecha 49

Attendance: 28,035

Leeds won 2-4 on penalties After Extra Time

Charlton Athletic 1 v Stoke City 0 - EFL Championship

Blog Link;

https://robthe66pow.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-1-v-stoke-city

Wednesday 11.2.26

EFL Championship

Charlton Athletic (0) 1

Tyreece Campbell 81

Stoke City (0) 0

Attendance: 14,836 (inc.1,112 away fans)

2025-26 #Game77