The weather today in London for this vital Charlton fixture,
Is said by visiting fans to be a most amazing mixture,
There’s wind and even hailstones and the rainfall is torrential,
On a day when at least a single point is really most essential.

It’s just as if the winter has returned to us again,
Though it hasn’t managed to deter the England manager, Sven,
Who led a period of silence to reflect the dreadful situation,
Felt all around the world for the Madrid abomination.

The weather quickly turned again from winter into spring,
And the game was slow and sluggish, getting into swing,
In the opening exchanges we were very disappointed,
As ball-control was really difficult and the play was so disjointed.

The Boro’s first real venture into enemy territory,
Took fully seven minutes and almost brought us instant glory,
Zenden burst into the box, remaining totally calm,
His shot hit the inside of the post and bounced away from harm.

Great play now from Di Canio, who’s described as enigmatic,
Led to defensive Boro play that was wonderfully dramatic,
He laid it on a plate for Cole, who certainly didn’t tarry,
But Schwarzer was his equal: my goodness: what a parry!

Cole struck the ball majestically, with all within his might,
And Schwarzer saved a certain goal by ‘flying’ to his right,
The ball then squirmed away and Boro were very nearly rocking,
Until Parnaby cleared the danger, by miraculously blocking.

Only moments later, as Hreidarsson neatly turned,
A great block by Doriva meant the chance was once more spurned,
We were opened up so easily as the big man cut inside,
And at the moment we are struggling to stem the Addicks’ tide.

Another good ball in found Cole but he was instantly surrounded,
Yet Ugo lunged in rashly, leaving everyone astounded,
A free kick just outside the box was needlessly conceded,
And as Jenssen lines it up, great concentration’s needed.

Boateng’s knee then caused the ball to take a huge deflection,
Paola sent the corner in with pace and true direction,
Kishishev was picked out and he volleyed from afar,
Still seeking his first Premiership goal, he sent it o’er the bar.

Di Canio’s deliberate handball, tried behind the referee’s back,
Was quite rightly punished and up stepped Franck to have a crack,
But the ball was headed clear by the aching head of Fish,
Then Boateng also sought his first but couldn’t realize his wish.

George was trying desperately to open his account,
And the hurdle’s proving difficult for the big man to surmount,
Had the intricate technique been more expertly executed,
Kiely would have lost out, ten yards from goal and rooted.

Once again Di Canio, showing quite exquisite flair,
Brought great joy to Addicks’ fans and for the Boro, just despair,
His measured ball found Holland, more than twenty yards out and yet,
He curled it, oh so sweetly, into the roof of Boro’s net.

We failed to close them down although we had the chance to clear,
And Schwarzer, who was stranded, found it impossible to get near,
The ball looped high unerringly for a finish so emphatic,
As we were like spectators, looking on and totally static.

Comes another Addicks’ corner with the pressure now unending,
Found the Boro once more guilty of some truly bad defending,
We fell asleep and once again a goal seemed on the cards,
As the shot came in: with no defence within about fifteen yards.

With Charlton trying everything to break the Boro’s heart,
They’re finding it so easy and they’re tearing us apart,
Things must be quickly sorted as we’ve really lost the plot,
As Charlton, by the minute, are getting closer with each shot.

Zenden sends a free kick in towards the nearest post,
But the delivery was a poor one, of which he’ll never boast,
Height was what was lacking and though it caused a little scramble,
Boateng sent his shot well wide, but at least he’d sought to gamble.

Forty minutes had been played before the Boro lads’ best move,
Can it really be that we’re now finally getting in the groove?
Out of defence; great interplay; by players we rate so highly,
And Job might think he should have scored but he was balked again by Kiely.

Mendi sent a free kick in and the quality was the best,
And Queudrue got a flick and put the Addicks to the test,
It was destined for the target ‘til there came a deviation,
For another Boro corner which brought nought but more frustration.

Southgate got his header in but it was really rather weak,
And Kiely saved in on the line then quick advantage he did seek,
A rapid ball out to Carlton Cole as the opening period died,
But the man was overstretching and he finally put it wide.

So ends a scrappy first half, from the Boro’s point of view,
And to get at least some small reward we still have lots to do,
But now a rainbow can be seen and, if I may be so bold,
Will Boro find at the end it of it, their little pot of gold?

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The game is underway again and Boro shuffle the pack,
Bringing Nemeth and Maccarone to get more men up in attack,
One has the feeling Charlton’s armour has certainly chinks in it,
And if we manage to score a goal we might well go on to win it.

The referee got things awfully wrong with a really poor decision,
And gave an Addicks’ free kick in a critical position,
Di Canio was never fouled as the monitor quickly ratified,
But the free kick failed: justice was done: and everyone was satisfied.

Di Canio turned young Parnaby and stole just half-a-yard,
Then brought a save from Schwarzer, standing so alert on guard,
Soon Bartlett is brought into play for a most unhappy Cole,
Showing massive disappointment, he hadn’t played well, on the whole.

Bartlett’s hurtling in on goal: ever nearer he’s now getting,
And though things opened up for him he found just the side netting,
Then Boro throw the final dice when they take off Mendieta,
And bring on Jonathan Greening in the hope that things get better.

Queudrue’s ball to Macca was as good as one could wish,
Played at an angle in the box and somehow missed by Fish,
With Kiely at full stretch the Boro hearts were suddenly lifted,
But Macca put it inches wide and just past the post it drifted.

Boro’s best ball of the game came in the next assault,
From the feet of Jonathan Greening, whose cross one couldn’t fault,
Perry somehow cleared the ball as Nemeth looked to the heavens,
And Charlton, for a moment, were all at sixes and at sevens.

Off now goes Di Canio to such terrific acclamation,
He’s replaced now by Johansson to stabilize the situation,
It hasn’t been the best of days, for Paolo, truth be told,
And the case now for the Addicks is, “What we have, we hold!”

Zenden swings a corner in which the ‘keeper just half clears,
Boateng somehow stumbles, raising major Boro fears,
With Charlton two-on-one, Matt Holland storms inside the box,
Lets fly another rocket, but big Mark he can’t outfox.

Another Boro corner’s expertly delivered by ‘Zend,’
And Massimo Maccarone, rising well, got on the end,
But it posed no genuine threat as Kiely yelled, “Leave it: it’s mine,”
The ‘keeper, without danger, saved it comfortably on the line.

Nemeth and Maccarone, now seen working as a pair,
For the first time in the game the two together showing flair,
Macca displayed real strength to get the better of Luke Young,
Then Nemeth’s shot lacked power and Boro heads were once more hung.

In midfield Boateng lost the ball leaving Boro in real lumber,
Came Parnaby to the rescue, as cool as a cucumber,
Terrific from the youngster, as forward now he pushes,
Showing great maturity and also saving George’s blushes.

Greening tried a volley, which he couldn’t quite control,
He failed to keep it down and it flew high over the goal,
On the day, the Addicks’ defence we couldn’t quite unhitch,
And once more the Boro failed in the last third of the pitch.

Added time was being played now, with everyone in attack,
But Boro disappointed, despite re-shuffling of the pack,
So all the genuine effort turned out again to be in vain,
Whilst Charlton are rewarded with three days in sunny Spain.