An emotive Valley enjoyed a warm and sunny afternoon, plus an open and entertaining game to boot.
Before the game a commemorative plaque was unveiled outside the West Stand after a brief, but fascinating, history of Charlton’s involvement in the first World War was narrated by military historian and Charlton fan, Clive Harris.
The teams and both sets of fans impeccably observed a period of silence before kick-off.
Another sign that the year is advancing was the first use this season of the yellow ball, which will now be used until March.
Bob Peeters was able to welcome back Rhoys Wiggins and Yoni Buyens, with Karlan Ahearne-Grant also coming into the starting line-up.
Peeters opted for a midfield diamond with Buyens at the base, Jordan Cousins and Johnnie Jackson as the central duo with Franck Moussa at the tip.
Full-backs, Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins, had their shackles released and bombed forward again. Solly managed to get in a couple of thunderous long range shots and Wiggins also had an attempt and made a telling contribution in the second half.
The Addicks should have taken the lead after 12 minutes when Cousins had a free header from a right-wing Jackson corner, but his effort went over the bar.
Wednesday’s right-winger, Royston Drenthe, was causing Wiggins all sorts of problems. Quick, always looking to cut inside and have a crack at goal, the Reading loanee was proving a real handful. Fortunately for Charlton, his delivery from wide areas did not match the other facets of his game.
Unsurprisingly, it was Drenthe who gave the Owls the lead just before the half-hour mark, when he cut in to rifle an unstoppable shot past Stephen Henderson.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead in fortuitous circumstances at the end of the half. Andy D’Urso waved play on after Cousins appeared to have been clearly fouled.
The giant Adthe Nuhiu broke away with Chris Maguire alongside him. Maguire was played in but failed to make the most of his opportunity.
Peeters replaced Ahearne-Grant with Johann Gudmundsson at the break and Cousins and Jackson swapped sides. Cousins gave Wiggins solid support and Drenthe’s influence was largely stemmed.
The Addicks dominated the early second half exchanges and they nearly had a stroke of good fortune after an hour. A Jackson free-kick was played into the box by Wiggins and George Tucudean’s miskick bounced into the ground and looped up awkwardly. Keiren Westwood was at full stretch to tip over.
Twenty minutes from time, a surging run from Wiggins took him into the box, where he delivered the perfect ball for substitute, Igor Vetokele, to stab home to level things up.
Vetokele and Wiggins had opportunities to win the match and Lawrie Wilson was flagged offside when he put the ball in the net in the last minute.
So, Charlton stretch their unbeaten home start to the season to eight, while Wednesday’s lengthy run without a win continues, albeit that they have only lost once on their travels all season. A draw was a fair result.
Charlton: Henderson; Solly, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Buyens, Cousins, Jackson (Wilson 81),Moussa (Vetokele 65); Tucudean, Ahearne-Grant (Gudmundsson 46).
Subs (not used): Pope, Harriott, Onyewu, Fox.
Goal: Vetokele 70
Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood; Palmer, Lees, Loovens, Mattock (Dielna 34); Drenthe ( Taylor-Fletcher 73, Semedo, Maghoma (Coke 61), Helan; Nuhiu, Magure.
Subs (not used): Kirkland, May, McCabe, Lee.
Goal: Drenthe 27.
Referee: Andy D’Urso (Billericay).
Attn: 16,850 (2,216 Sheffield Wednesday).