The lowdown on Charlton 3 Exeter City 0 – Professional job done by the Addicks as fine Valley form continues

23 February 2025 Richard Cawley

Charlton Athletic bounced back from last weekend’s League One loss at Birmingham City with a comfortable 3-0 home win against Exeter City on Saturday.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay, Edwards (Watson 89), Gillesphey, Jones, Small, Coventry (McIntyre 86), Anderson, Berry (Gilbert 75), Campbell (Kanu 86). Godden (Leaburn 75). Not used: Reid, Aneke.
Exeter City: Whitworth, Hartridge, MacDonald, McMillan, Niskanen (Woods 31), Harper, Richards (Yogane 46), Colwill, Oluwabori 79), Trevitt (Jones 79), Mitchell (Cole 64), Magennis. Not used: Purrington, Francis.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME
This was a totally professional performance by Charlton as they dealt confidently with opposition at the wrong end of the table. Angus MacDonald’s own goal in the 20th minute broke the deadlock and Jones’ side – so strong at The Valley – took control as they made it five league wins in SE7 on the bounce. Tyreece Campbell finished really smartly from the edge of the box in the 68th minute and that should have made it 3-0, with Karoy Anderson failing to beat Palace loanee Joe Whitworth with a close-range header. Miles Leaburn added a late third from Kayne Ramsay’s throughball. It looked as if the youngster had taken too many touches inside the penalty box but he threaded his finish home for his 10th goal of the campaign.

TACTICAL APPROACH
Greg Docherty missed out due to illness but deputy Anderson made sure the skipper’s absence was not felt. Jones said post match that the academy graduate produced one of his strongest performances. The Addicks were aggressive in their press from the opening whistle and Exeter lacked the intensity or physicality to compete. Opposition boss Gary Caldwell was left bemoaning the fact his side were second best in every department. All six of Charlton’s most recent wins have seen them record clean sheets. Josh Magennis was completely snuffed out on his return to his former club.

STAR MAN
Tyreece Campbell. So many strong performances on the day but the attacker is developing nicely under the tutelage of Jones – and Saturday afternoon showed why Charlton rejected interest higher up the football ladder in the January transfer window.

BEST MOMENT
Campbell’s goal. Firstly because it killed off the contest and also the fact that it was the best of the finishes on the afternoon. If you’re an Exeter fan, or Caldwell, you probably feel a defender should get out quicker to shut down the opportunity.

MOAN OF THE MATCH
The goalkeeper ‘injuries’ which allow managers to call all their players over for a tactical reset. Every club does it. Whitworth went down in the first half and Jones was not subtle – shouting “go down” to Will Mannion when Exeter had a little spell of possession. Not quite sure how you stamp it out, short of saying that both sets of players need to go to the far side of the pitch if a stopper needs treatment.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB
Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient. It looks tasty. The O’s lost at Bolton Wanderers yesterday and Charlton are only outside of the play-offs on goal difference. So next weekend’s derby has plenty on it. You probably only go to Reading in ninth spot for the clubs that still have a chance of a top-six finish.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY
“It was really, really professional. Once we got the second we really kicked on. That was a proper Charlton performance. When we’re the best version of ourselves we are a good team.”