Exeter City suffer poor defeat as Charlton Athletic 'better in every department'

Exeter City were ‘outfought, outbattled and outran’ by a Charlton Athletic side who were ‘better in every single department’. The Addicks cruised to a 3-0 win over the Grecians who never really got going at The Valley.

Charlton went ahead midway through the first half when a free-kick was turned into his own net by Angus MacDonald. The Addicks were totally in control but found creating chances difficult, although Karoy Anderson missed a sitter when he couldn’t score with a header from inside the six yard box.

But Tyreece Campbell though doubled the lead in the 68 ^th minute when he curled home a smart finish from the edge of the box as the hosts finally made their dominance count. Miles Leaburn made it three late on as his individual finish sealed the victory.

“It was a disappointing result and performance,” manager Gary Caldwell said. “We were out fought, out battled, outran by a much better team on the day and they were better in every single department, and we have to do something about it and be ready for a big game next weekend.

“We know they are aggressive and play on the front foot. They score from a set piece – it is a foul but we have to make the ref give the foul – we are too nice in those moments. We went for it second half and were better but conceded two real poor goals to lose the game.

“Too many things in the first half were not good enough but we restricted them to very little. They scored from a free-kick we shouldn’t give away, then didn't defend the free kick. Small details lead to huge problems in a game we shouldn’t be behind in

“We came to a big stadium and a massive club at this level – a very good team that’s in form. You have to be better and more competitive against these type of teams. Today we weren’t and if you’re not then you’re going to get beaten. Too often we have seen this this season, and we have 15 games to do something about it. We have a big squad of players to train well and say I want to be playing.”

Caldwell made two changes to the Exeter City side who ended their long winless run last weekend at Cambridge United. Into the side came a fit-again Jake Richards, while Demetri Mitchell was recalled. Ed Francis dropped down to the bench, while Caleb Watts was not in the matchday 18.

Ilmari Niskanen, despite being charged with drink-driving where he is set to appear in court on Monday, was retained in the starting line-up. City named seven outfielders on the bench as well, with no substitute goalkeeper named after Shaun MacDonald picked up an injury in training.

The Grecians’ first effort saw Ryan Trevitt force Will Mannion into a smart save from a free-kick. But it was a rare foray forward in the early stages at The Valley as the hosts dominated, and in the 20 ^th minute, they took the lead. Luke Berry swung in a free-kick from the right and Angus MacDonald in his attempt to clear the bouncing ball was the unlucky man who turned it into own net, with nothing Joe Whitworth could do about it.

Berry and Campbell then saw close-range efforts blocked as Charlton looked to extend their lead. Anderson saw a header cleared off the line by Alex Hartridge after a well-worked free-kick as it was one-way traffic for the large part. With 31 minutes gone, Niskanen, who had been booked, was replaced by Ryan Woods. The change appeared to be tactical rather than injury-related.

The pattern of the game didn’t change though, with Charlton on top with all the play around the edge of City’s own box, but Nathan Jones’ men weren’t creating much in the way of chances for all the control they had. Caldwell made a second sub at half-time, with Tony Yogane replacing Richards.

Five minutes into second half, Charlton had a great chance to make it 2-0. Campbell clipped in a cross, Anderson was unmarked five yards out, but Whitworth pulled off a brilliant save to deny him – and the Crystal Palace loanee made it a double save to deny Matty Godden’s follow-up effort.

On the hour, Exeter had their first real chance of the game – and pretty much their only one. The Grecians broke quickly with the ball played to Vincent Harper who burst into the box, but his first touch wasn’t the best, and while he got a shot away with his second, Kayne Ramsay was able to get a block in.

Shortly after, Charlton got their second goal. Campbell picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, the defenders backed off him, and from the edge of the box, he curled the finish into the far corner to double the lead.

In the 84th minute, any faint hope City had was ended with Charlton’s third. Leaburn, off the bench, picked up the ball outside the box and drove into it. He produced two pieces of skill to wrongfoot Hartridge and MacDonald, before slotting in the finish in off the post. Six minutes of stoppage-time were added-on, but it was all an irrelevance with the result long since put beyond doubt as City comfortably beaten.

With the win Charlton closed the gap on the final play-off spot held by Leyton Orient down to just goal difference. Exeter meanwhile dropped down to 18 ^th in the League One table, and with Burton Albion grabbing a late winner, the gap to the relegation zone is now just three points, albeit City have games in hand.

“I don’t care about the league table – I care about the performance,” Caldwell added. “We have got 15 games to go and 45 points to play for. I don’t care what the table looks like tonight, I care what the league table looks like at the end of the season, and care about a reaction to the performance in training. We have to improve performance, stick together, and look at the league table at the end of the season when it matters.”

Exeter City are back in action on Saturday when they host Northampton Town, who are 17 ^th and a point ahead. It is the first of nine of the last 15 games Exeter have against teams who are still in the relegation picture. City though have just one win in ten in the league.