Charlton 3 Exeter City 0
The Addicks made it seven wins in eight games at The Valley with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.
The result moves Nathan Jones’ side level on points with sixth-placed Leyton Orient ahead of next weekend's match between the two sides at the Gaughan Group Stadium.
An early own goal gave Charlton the lead before second-half strikes from academy starlets Tyreece Campbell and Miles Leaburn. The visitors rarely troubled Will Mannion in the Charlton goal as the Addicks kept a 14th league clean sheet of the season.
The home side had an early shout for a penalty when it looked like Karoy Anderson, starting in-place of the ill Greg Docherty, was fouled in the box but referee Andy Davies waved play on.
Charlton took a 20th-minute lead which was started by Thierry Small, who did well to win a free kick on the right wing, skipping in between two Exeter defenders, at which point he was fouled by Ilmari Niskanen who was booked. Luke Berry’s whipped free kick was into the corridor of uncertainty and the ball bounced off Exeter defender Angus MacDonald and into the net.
Campbell then cut back from the byline on the left wing, the ball eventually feel to Berry whose shot was blocked behind by Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.
The Addicks high press continued to create turnovers and in an attempt to change the momentum, the visitors were forced into a 31st-minute change, with veteran Ryan Woods replacing Niskanen.
Just before the half-time whistle, Small’s deep cross from the right made it all the way through to Campbell at the back post, who was caught by surprise and unable to direct the ball towards goal.
Exeter Manager Gary Calwell made a second substitution at half-time but again the Charlton dominance continued.
Anderson, who had been particularly relentless in the press, had a wonderful chance to double the Addicks lead. Campbell did brilliantly down the left and put in a perfect dinked cross for Anderson, who had time to pick his spot. The Jamaica international’s header was too close to Whitworth, who then did well to smother Matty Godden’s follow-up shot.
Anderson again came close shortly afterwards, heading just wide from Kayne Ramsay’s cross from the right.
Charlton got the second they deserved when Alex Hartridge’s headed clearance fell to Campbell. The academy graduate took a touch to compose himself before curling a wonderful shot into the bottom corner of the goal from 22 yards.
Substitute Leaburn completed the scoring with six minutes to go, latching on to a Ramsay pass. There was still plenty for the 21-year-old to do but the 6ft 7in striker showed wonderful dancing feet to keep the ball away from two defenders before creating enough room for himself to then smash into the bottom corner of the goal.
There was enough time for a debut for deadline day signing, Tom McIntyre, who cames on for the last four minutes.
Nathan Jones’ side now have a free week before that trip to Leyton Orient.
Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones (c), Gillesphey; Small, Berry (Gilbert 75), Coventry (McIntyre 86), Anderson, Edwards (Watson 88); Godden (Leaburn 75), T.Campbell (Kanu 86)
Subs (not used): Reid, Aneke
Goals: MacDonald (own goal) 20, Campbell 69, Leaburn 84
Assists: Berry 20, Ramsay 84
Booked: Small 72 (foul on Harper), Gillesphey 90+5 (foul on Magennis)
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Hartridge, Mitchell (Cole 64), Niskanen (Woods 31), Harper, Trevitt (Jones 79), Colwill (Oluwabori 79), MacDonald, Magennis (c), Richards (Yogane 46)
Subs (not used): Purrington, Francis
Booked: Niskanen 19 (foul on Small), Mitchell 51 (foul on Gillesphey), Colwill 55 (foul on Campbell)
Referee: Andy Davies