Charlton Athletic 3 Exeter City 0
A very comprehensive win. The high press was perfection today and often it looked as if we had more players on the pitch, and Exeter just couldn’t deal with us.
It was the ideal way to bounce back from last week.
We were kicking towards the Covered End in the 1st period and the ball hardly left that half of the pitch. It wasn’t really a press, more like a swarm as we gave them so little time on the ball and won tackle upon tackle.
For all of our possession and penalty box entries Exeter’s defence held pretty firm, so it was ironic that the breakthrough goal was scored by them.
Small was causing them all sorts of problems, and on another trick laden forward foray he was fouled hurdling between two of their players. Berry put in an excellent free-kick and it went in off an Exeter body.
Campbell had a good chance from another Small cross but we went in at the break 1-0.
The 2nd half was more of the same despite Exeter boss Caldwell making numerous changes to personnel and shape.
That second goal wouldn’t come though. Anderson had two headed chances, the first one he should have buried, but still we couldn’t extend our lead and Exeter started to finally find a bit of composure.
Anderson was otherwise excellent, possibly the best I’ve ever seen him play. Excellent also was TC, and it was he who got the all important second placing a lovely curling right-footer into the far corner from outside of the box.
Goals have been the one thing missing from Campbell. That smile is now backed up with a belief that comes from those that you work every day with. Add to that how much physically stronger he is now and TC is beginning to put all of the pieces together. He was an attacking menace all game.
Time now to breathe and time for subs, but we didn’t miss a beat, as red shirts continued to pour all over the pitch.
A typical Ramsey bit of dazzle as once more he turned a winning tackle into an invasion forward. His pass was inch perfect into the path of Leaburn who made a bee-line into the box, moved the ball from one foot to the other and back again and calmly finished in off the post.
Three was the least we deserved.
🎙️“I don’t look at anyone else, it’s us. We’ve got a points total – we have to get to that points total. If we do our job then that’s all I can concern with.” – Nathan Jones
⭐️ Tyreece Campbell
🏟️ 14,864 (1,247 Grecians)
📸 Paul Edwards
Yes, when I saw the starting line up was really concerned and beginning to wonder if Gilbert is ever going to start sometime. CAFC are improving their GD every week and we need a few more for sure but full credit to the team and yes this huge game next week but to be frank they are all huge and certainly there are no easy games for CAFC.
The comeback team again coming from behind yet again but we just need to win win and win and football us easy isn’t it, as if!!!
The comeback team is Bolton of course and it is going to be so very close but CAFC just win win and win!!!
Starting to look and smell like Lee Bowyer and 2019 all over again, our only problem is that Sunderland aren’t in League 1 this season ☹️
Strange celebration from Miles Leaburn after scoring? I don’t think he even smiled?
He was probably still annoyed being on the bench and not starting….but a wonder goal !
It was a muted celebration. He did the sleep thing with his hands. Not sure we should read too much into it.
I don’t think he’s a happy boy…I would have done cartwheels all the way back to the centre circle if it was me
ML let his goal scoring do the talking
He’d have hated the first hour of the game. For all our possession Godden got zero service, it wouldn’t have been any different for ML
Wow….totally dominant display and to be honest Exeter offered very little to worry Mannion and our defence.Nice to see Josh Maginnes back at the Valley too.
I thought that Small,Coventry,Ramsey and Anderson were a real threat and maintained our attacking options to great effect.
It was a bit disorienting kicking towards the covered end in the first half, I think Orient at home in 2023/24 was the last time I can recall an opponent winning the toss and choosing to defend the CE in the first half.
But one of our best performances, I can’t recall Will Mannion having anything to do and the defence collectively more than coped with whatever was thrown at them. When your opponents make an enforced substitution before half time and it doesn’t make any difference you know you are on top.
Again our fitness and energy levels were too good for our opponents.
The only downside is that we should again have been a couple of goals up at half time and Karoy Anderson should have buried both chances. With Greg Docherty missing the match he needed a goal or maybe two to remind NJ why he should be starting.
On to Orient who blew a lead and have a tough couple of weeks coming up.
On that display Anderson should be starting the next game instead of Docherty and Leaburn instead of Berry!
Docherty was ill, will be interesting to see if he gets back in ahead of Anderson. Docherty had been playing his best football for us. Good problem to have I expect.
I’d go with Greg Docherty (assuming he recovers from illness).
If players get dropped because their replacement plays a blinder after they’ve been honest about niggling injuries/ill health etc then you are encouraging them to play while not being 100% fit.
Besides the next match is away and important, we should pick not just our best side but the one that’s most experienced and that includes Doc. Orient will be offer a stronger challenge than Exeter. That said, I’d like to see Anderson get given another outing in that role.