MORRIS RUINS KARL’S BIG DAY
JOSH Morris struck a brilliant double as Scunthorpe spoiled Charlton boss Karl Robinson’s milestone in management.
The top-of-the-table clash, settled in two second-half minutes by the Iron winger’s stunning strikes, was the Addicks chief’s 400th in the dugout – and he admitted he’d seen few better goals in that time.
“It’s not about me, but they were probably the best goals I’ve seen in the 399 games that went before,” said Robinson, who became the youngest boss in the Football League when he was appointed by MK Dons as a 29-year-old in 2010.
“The first one was incredible – you don’t realise until you watch it back how much the ball moved – and the second was ten times better.
“My players did nothing wrong and from my perspective, that’s all I can ask for.
“We created two or three giltedged chances and Scunthorpe have scored two of the best goals that will be scored against Charlton all season.
“I don’t think I’ll see two better goals against my team than I’ve seen here, probably in the next 400 games.”
Up until Morris entered the fray as a half-time substitute, honours between League One’s two form teams had been very much even.
Charlton – unbeaten in nine games going into the clash – shaded the chances, with Matt Gilks denying both Mark Marshall and Ricky Holmes in the opening 45 minutes, in between which Josh Magennis headed against the post.
Having had to be patient as an attacking force during the opening 45 minutes, Scunthorpe started the second half strongly, but there was little suggestion about what was to come just after the hour mark.
Morris curled home his seventh goal of the campaign with a perfectly-placed free-kick just outside the box in the 61st minute to break the deadlock between the sides.
And 120 seconds later, the winger brought the ball under control before cutting inside and unleashing an equally unstoppable right-foot shot into the far corner of the net to secure his side a sixth successive league victory.
“In a game like that it was always going to come down to who showed the most quality and Josh did that for us with two fantastic strikes,” purred Iron boss Graham Alexander.
“While I wouldn’t say we expected the first goal, we always know there’s a good chance when Josh is stepping up to take a free-kick. I wasn’t expecting the second though, the quality for it to hit the top corner was superb.
“I’ve worked with him on and off for three or four years and I’ve never seen him hit one like that with his right foot.
“I’m delighted for everyone. We’ve been getting better and better each month, but there’s a long way to go.
“We have to continue the upward curve of performances and keep working hard.”