Well Done Oompah Loompahs

FLINDERS DIDN'T GO TO THE BALL
08-May 07:24, by Ketts
It was perhaps fitting that this most disappointing of seasons went out with a whimper on a humid afternoon at The Valley.
Chris Powell rang the changes with his final team selection of the season. Solly and Llera came in for Francis and Doherty at the back with Wagstaff, Semedo and Harriott replacing Eccleston, Parrett and Racon in the middle of the park.

An innocuous fall just outside the Charlton penalty area in the first half saw Jon Fortune stretchered off with what was later reported as a possible ruptured achilles. Not the way Fortune would have chosen to exit The Valley if it proves to be his last appearance for the club.

There were plenty of hefty challenges from the visitors with Hartlepool's Gary Liddle coming off worse when he launched in on Jose Semedo. Liddle was booked for his trouble after needing treatment. Semedo and Neil Austin were also booked as the Pool right-back remonstrated with Semedo and the two became involved in some pushing and shoving.

Charlton hit the bar twice and Harlepool once as both sides failed to break the deadlock. Wright-Phillips clipped the ball over Flinders early on with a Bessone thunderbolt rattling the bar near the end. Sandwiched between was an effort from a corner by Sam Collins who was given far too much space. Flinders also had to push a Semedo corner round the post shortly after the interval.

Much of the entertainment in a typically end of season encounter was provided by the sizeable contingent who travelled down from the North East.

Many were dressed as Oompah Loompahs and they were lively all afternoon. Several Hartlepool fans came dressed as Santa Claus but they could not match the efforts of the Oompah Loompahs.

So a quite dreadful second half of the season ended with The Valley's first 0-0 draw of the campaign. There will be changes in the summer and the new owners have indicated that they expect the 2011/12 campaign to be the club's last in this division.

The worst season in living memory will be quickly forgotten but lessons have to be learned, the Charlton faithful will not tolerate another season like this one.

Those that stayed behind gave the team a warm reception as they paraded round the pitch after the final whistle. It remains to be seen how many of them will still be at The Valley come August.

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