Charlton defender Tom Lockyer: I’m not sure who I have upset to keep having my goals taken away from me

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

He’s already had what he thought was his first Charlton goal taken away from him once this season – now Tom Lockyer’s strike against West Bromwich Albion has suffered the same fate.

The Welsh international’s volley against Leeds back in September was eventually awarded to Macauley Bonne after a number of ricochets on its way beyond Kiko Casilla and Lockyer is now coming to terms with the fact that his header during Saturday’s entertaining 2-2 draw with the Baggies is set to go down as an own-goal by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The 76^th-minute effort was touched onto the post by the West Brom goalkeeper, before rebounding onto Johnstone’s face and in.

“Again! I’m not sure who I’ve p*ssed off to be honest because that’s two now,” joked the 25-year-old, who was picked up on a free transfer after his contract at Bristol Rovers expired last summer.

“From my point of view, I thought it was over the line before he saved it. I’m sure there will be other angles but I’m not sure the goalie will want it to be honest. I’m not sure why they do that.

“I think I should have had a couple more [goals] as well but it’s just not fell for me in a Charlton shirt at the minute. I’d be delighted if it goes down as my goal but the more important thing is the team getting a point and moving on in the right direction.”

The injury-ravaged Addicks twice came from behind to take a point off the league leaders and maintain their five-point cushion above the Championship drop zone. Lockyer was pleased with the performance against a talented Baggies outfit.

“They’re a very good side,” he admitted.

“The quality that they had on the pitch and were able to bring on was Premier League quality at times. Our plan was to match them and I think we did that for a large part of the game. Two sloppy goals [conceded]. Obviously, the first one was my fault and I hold my hands up. If we cut those goals out then they were limited to long shots so I think it worked well.

“We went to their place and drew 2-2 as well. In this league, there’s going to be Premier League quality but I think we can match that. The positive thing for us – you’ve seen we had Jonny (Williams), Tomer (Hemed) and Jake (Forster-Caskey) back in the action today. We’ve been told there is going to be signings coming in to strengthen the squad as well. There will be competition for places. The more bodies we can get back the more chances we will have to go on and win games.

“I haven’t looked [at the table] to be honest. At the start of the season, everybody wanted to look at the table and get carried away. I even heard a few Premier League shouts. But we always knew this season was never going to be like that. The injury crisis is the worst I’ve ever seen in football. I can’t remember anything quite as near as what has happened here. It’s not an excuse that we’re trying to say but it doesn’t help. When the bodies come back we’ll be looking to go toe to toe with the majority of teams.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS/ PAUL EDWARDS