By Luke Gabriel
February 1 2005

Charlton Athletic squeezed through to the fifth round of the F.A cup for the first time in 5 years after a nervous enounter with League Two outfit Yeovil Town at The Valley. Charlton never like to do it the easy way and proved that once again last weekend. It was yet another possible banana skin for the addicks to slip up on in the wonder land that is the F.A Cup. Charlton started the match well with a 4-4-2 formation that effectivly won them their premier league clash against Birmingham City last time out at The Valley.

Naturally this ment changes to the charlton side. Francis Jeffers got his first start for four months and Dennis Rommedahl being droped to the bench. Bryan Hughes also made his second consecutive start in the cup.

The scoreline at the end of the match certainly showed how the match went and Yeovil may well deservidly think they should have got at least a draw at the valley. Yeovil came closest to scoring in the first 25 minutes when Yeovils right back Paul Terry got forward well, took a shot from some distance which beat Kiely but unfortunatly bounced off the post and out to safety.

After this scare charlton seemed to buck their ideas up and Bryan Hughes nearly spectaculary finished off a lovely flowing charlton move. Unfortunatley for Hughes and the Charlton faithful his first time volley came within inches of being the first goal of the day.

However, Hughes was not to be outdone. After Talal El Karkouri floated in a freekick to the far post from the right, the big Icelandic figure of Herman Hreidarsson headed the ball back across goal and their Hughes was happy to slot the ball home from 12 yards.

With 8 minutes left in the half Charlton looked as though they would have the lead at half time. Yeovil on the other hand had other ideas, and just as i left my seat to visit the little boys room i stopped at the exit to watch Kevin Gall run from the half way line deep into Charltons penalty box. Karkouri somehow managed to get a boot to the ball but unfortunatley found its way to Paul Terry who calmly slotted the ball passed Kiely at his near post.

With the sides deadlocked at half time the away fans made their voice heard early in the second half. Unfortunatley for them this seemed to spur on the Charlton players and Yeovil found themselves 3-1 down after twelve minutes of the second half had been played.

Jeffers grabbed the first goal after Luke Young played a truley amazing ball for Danny Murphy to chase. Murphy rolled the ball across the face of the goal and with the Yeovil keeper sprawling on the deck Jeffers had no problem with a side foot finish from all of 2 yards.

Bartlett got the second goal of the half on 57 minutes after good ball control from Jerome Thomas on the left created enough space for him to play Bartlett through the middle of the Yeovil defence. Bartlett took one touch to get the ball out from underneith his feet and with a stroke of his right boot placed the ball in off the post.

This seemed to relax the Charlton crowd who up untill that point has seemed axious. However, this feeling was to return after Yeovil substitute Arron Davies brought the game back to 3-2 and with it Yeovil back into contention. His long range curling shot eluded Deano and found its way into the back of the net, game on.

The rest of the half saw nervous times for Charlton and if it had not been for Talal el karkouri Charlton would most certainly be facing a replay in a couple of weeks time. Arron Davies once again found himself in a great position..one on one with Deano but Kiely managed to block the shot which fell to Jevons. Jevons tryied to place the ball passed Karkouri who had got back well but Karkouri managed to stretch out his leg and the danger was averted.

All in all it was another amazing F.A Cup story and Yeovil had done League Two very proud. Also with the current form they are on you cant help but feel they are destined for League One football next season!